Patriarch Daniel's message at the funeral of Father Ioan Pițura: A diligent and wise Ukrainian missionary priesttranslated

His Beatitude Father Patriarch Daniel sent a message of condolences on Monday at the funeral of Father Ioan Pițura, former vicar of the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania for 31 years.

The message was read by His Holiness Father Varlaam Ploieșteanul, patriarchal vicar bishop and delegate of the Patriarch of Romania, after the funeral service at the "Saint John the Baptist" Monastery in Ruscova, Maramureș county.

Patriarch Daniel noted the priest's pastoral and missionary activity for the Ukrainian community in Romania.

"The passing of Father Ioan Piţura is a loss for the community of Ukrainians in Romania who are mourning these days, but with great hope that his soul rests in the Kingdom of Heaven, because he led the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania with great faith, dignity, responsibility and dedication," His Beatitude conveyed

Full text:

Vicar Father Ioan Pi țura (1947-2026), a diligent and wise Ukrainian missionary priest "I have fought the good fight, I have completed the journey, I have kept the faith!" (2 Timothy 4, 7)

We remember these words of the Holy Apostle Paul...