The tried, forgotten and abandoned Romanian community in Venezuela experienced moments of great joy during the recent visit of the Eparchial Secretary and Dean of New York, New England and Eastern USA of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, Father Daniel Ene, to Caracas from April 25th to May 5th. Father Daniel was accompanied by Father Ionuț Voicu, Parish Priest at the parish of the Life Giving Spring in Long Valley, New Jersey, and Mr. Claudiu Bărdăzău, chanter at the parish of the Holy Trinity in Rochester, New York. Although he had a very busy agenda, Father Daniel gave each a good word, a piece of advice or a lesson for everyone to follow.
The agenda started with a visit to the City Hall of El Hatillo, where the Church of the Holy Emperors is located, and where we were warmly welcomed by the Mayor, Elias Sayeh. During the meeting, we discussed issues related to the City Hall's project to build a theme park near the Church, which would benefit greatly the area. In addition, the Mayor promised to follow up on the request to transfer the land on which the Church is built to the ownership of the parish. The land is currently leased by the city.
The focal point of the visit was to start replacing the roof of the Church with new shingles which recently arrived from Romania through the efforts of His Eminence Nicolae, the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of the Americas, His Grace Iustin, Bishop of Maramureș and Sătmar, and Father Daniel Ene. The work to replace the shingles on the roof of the altar and half of the church was carried out with great dedication and skill by Father Ionuț Voicu and Mr. Claudiu Bărdăzău, while being supported logistically by Father Antonio Garcia, Pastor of the Church of Caracas. The work was particularly difficult; only their selflessness made it possible to achieve so much in such a short time. What remains are the two waters covering the body of the church and the roof of the spire, which is more than 30 metres high.
On Saturday, April 29th, there was an agape meal for the poor people of the church neighborhood. It was an agape meal that is part of the "Alimentos de Amor" project that Father Antonio and the parish's AROLA organization run monthly with donors from the United States. Nearly 200 people without opportunities crossed the threshold of the church and ate a soup.
Also, the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, April 30th was celebrated in Romanian by Father Daniel together with Father Ionuț, accompanied at the chanter stand by the singer Claudiu Bărdăzău, who was accompanied, of course, by Father Antonio. Father Daniel prayed with great devotion for the salvation of the faithful of the parish and everywhere. There was also a memorial service for those who have gone to the Lord. After the Liturgy, Father Daniel gave an address and distributed gifts to the benefactors of the church. In turn, Father Antonio presented medals to the distinguished guests and conveyed His Eminence Nicolae's best wishes for good health and thanks for his care of the parish, also presenting him with a small omophorion he made himself. In turn, the Romanian community in Venezuela is particularly grateful to the parents who, through the kindness of their souls, have filled the Romanian church in Caracas with warmth and joy. God save the faithful!
Constantin Cristescu, Caracas,
May 7, 2023
