Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop praises Latin American mission as clergy begin formation in Romania

Clergy serving Romanian Orthodox communities in South America were welcomed on Friday, 17 July, at the Patriarchal Palace by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, who described their missionary work as “truly admirable.”

The delegation from Latin America is visiting Romania for a month-long stay at Putna Monastery , where the clergy will deepen their knowledge of Romanian Orthodox liturgical life and spirituality.

The delegation was led by Fr Daniel Ene, diocesan vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, and included Fr Antonio García, parish priest of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen in Caracas, Venezuela; Fr Esteban Diaz, who serves the Romanian Orthodox community in Barrancahia, Colombia; Fr Rafael Padilla, parish priest of St Joseph of Partoș Church in Quito, Ecuador; together with Fr Alex Vladimir Aedo Vilugrón and Deacon Nicolas from the Church of St Silouan the Athonite and St Philothea in Concepción, Chile—the southernmost Romanian Orthodox parish in the world.

The Romanian Orthodox Church in Latin America Bishop Varlaam explained that the growth of Romanian Orthodox communities in Latin America has resulted both from the…