Romania, March 17, 2020
Photo: basilica.ro
In addition to offering special prayers for protection and healing during this time of the coronavirus epidemic, the Romanian Orthodox Church is stepping up to offer material help and places for quarantining.
For example, the four social canteens of the Archdiocese of Cluj are providing, upon request, free food for the elderly and sick in self-isolation, reports the Basilica News Agency.
The Archdiocese is also providing quarantine facilities. The Ioan Bunea social missionary center has a capacity of 70 places, and if necessary, another 200 places are available at Parva Monastery and another 70 at Piatra Craiului Monastery.
Priests and parish communities will also support people in self-isolation, providing them with food and spiritual assistance.
Additionally, volunteers from the parishes of the Archdiocese of Craiova and social workers from the Vasiliada Association are collecting basic food and hygiene products to distribute to the elderly and those isolated at home in a campaign of support entitled, “Love Never Fails!”
The Archdiocese is also inviting private companies and organizations to join the campaign. If necessary, it is also ready to provide isolation spaces, hot food, and other forms of help for those in need.
Moreover, about 40 people coming from abroad are presently quarantined at the St. Paisios Social Cultural Center at the Neamț Monastery.
The vast majority are from Italy, commented abbot Archimandrite Benedict Sauciuc.
The monastery’s center has 52 rooms altogether. Those staying there receive food and medical assistance.
Currently, there are 40 medical and pharmaceutical units operating under the patronage of the Romanian Church, the nation’s largest philanthropist in terms of contribution to social work.
