During July 12 – 16, 2023, with the help of the Good Lord and with the blessing of His Eminence Nicolae, Metropolitan of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas (Romanian Patriarchate), the St. Joseph of Partoș Romanian Orthodox Mission in Quito, Ecuador, received for the seventh time a visit of Father Daniel Ene, Dean of New York, New England and the Eastern US. This time, he was accompanied by presbytera Flavia, Claudiu Bardazau, the cantor of Holy Trinity Parish in Victor, New York, and Adrian, a member of Fr. Daniel's parish. Their presence in Quito was a living proof of the love with which Father Daniel strives to strengthen this new mission and to foster the cohesion of the Romanian community.
In addition, his visit has added new reasons for rejoicing and hope for those who make up the Quito Mission. On July 13 and 14, 2023, with the support of Mrs. Maria Fernanda Parra, Consul Ad-honorem of Romania in Guayaquil, Father Daniel proceeded to better understand the legal registration process of the religious organization titled Iglesia Ortodoxa Rumana San José de Partos de Ecuador - Metrópolis Ortodoxa Rumana de las Dos Américas according to the laws of Ecuador. Given the intermediation of a lawyer and the interest shown by more than 25 Romanian, Jordanian, and Ecuadorian families, we hope that this Canonical Orthodox Church in Quito will function for many years to come.
For Father Daniel's actions in the capital of Ecuador to take place under the best of conditions, and to the spiritual rejoicing of many souls, necessary steps were taken such that on July 14th a rapprochement with the highest ecclesiastical authority of the Catholic Church, Archbishop of Quito Alfredo José Espinoza Mateus, was achieved. The mutual respect and the desire to strengthen a collaborative relationship between the two Churches were the basis for scheduling a future meeting.
On Saturday, July 15, yet another meeting was held with the Romanians from the capital area, where new members joined and where the next steps were prepared to strengthen both the Church and the community. The Romanian Consul in Lima, Mr. Ionuț Gabriel Neagu, participated in this meeting for a few moments through a video call and expressed his wish to meet the Romanians living in Ecuador in October, when he will organize a travelling consulate in Quito. The participants in the meeting and their families assured the Consul that he will be received with open arms.
On Sunday, July 16, in the Capilla Católica de la Resurrección (Catholic Chapel of the Resurrection), located on Francisco de Orellana Street at the corner of Juan León Mera, on the ground floor of the Juan León Mera building, across the street from the JW Marriott Hotel, the Orthodox baptism of five Ecuadorian children and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated in the presence of 65 people, including Romanians, Jordanians, and Ecuadorians. The religious service ended with the Panihida. Toward the end of the meeting, the Romanian ladies served those present with delicious dishes. On this special day, Father Daniel, as well as the whole community, enjoyed the support of the three guests, presbytera Flavia, Claudiu, and Adrian, who patiently and lovingly guided and helped to make sure that everything went according to plan. The cantor's contribution throughout the service was invaluable; while for some of those present it reminded them of their native country, others were given the opportunity to appreciate for the first time the beauty of Byzantine music. We hope that the enthusiasm with which they were received by members of the Orthodox community, as well as the invitations to return on another occasion, will have convinced them to visit again the Ecuadorian lands.
Father Daniel's next visit is scheduled for September 17, when, with the help of the Good Lord, the feast day of the Romanian Orthodox Mission of St. Joseph of Partoș in Quito will be celebrated for the first time.
Reported by Mădălina Chirilă,
Member of the Romanian community in Quito
