Priests and faithful of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas express compassion for the victims of the attacks in New York and Sutherland Springs, Texas. We notice with concern the multiplication of these acts of violence in which fall victims innocent people, even in the house of the Lord, even on Sunday.    

We pray for the repose of the souls of those who passed into eternity in this tragic way, for the comfort of their families and for the healing of those who were wounded. In these moments, it is appropriate to multiply our prayer for the cessation of violence by asking the Lord to send His peace and light to the souls of those alienated from Him. We urge our priests and faithful to say in the following days special prayers for "multiplying love and uprooting hatred and all wickedness" and for the peace and blessing of this country and the world!

+ Metropolitan Nicolae          
Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas