Ecuador and Colombia, May 22, 2025
Fr. Esteban Díaz (L), Fr. Daniel Ene (R). Photo: mitropolia.us
A priest of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas paid another missionary visit to Orthodox communities in Ecuador and Colombia from April 24 to May 8. His trip included charitable events in both countries.
Fr. Daniel Ene, who travels to Latin American countries several times a year, began with a visit to the Romanian Orthodox Mission of St. Joseph the New of Partoș in the Ecuadorian capital of Quito. On April 26, he participated in the Alimentos de Amor (Food of Love) event, which distributed over 100 hot meals in a very poor neighborhood, “reaffirming the Church’s vocation to be near those who are suffering or marginalized,” the Metropolia reports.
On Thomas Sunday, April 27, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the community, which includes Romanians, Antiochians, Palestinians, and Ecuadorian converts. He also held a discussion with them about their plans to find a permanent location to establish an Orthodox church.
Alimentos de Amor. Photo: mitropolia.us
According to the Metropolia’s report, the Romanian Orthodox Church recently became the only canonical Orthodox Church to enjoy legal recognition in Ecuador.
In Colombia, Fr. Daniel met with various civil and religious leaders to discuss the search for a suitable place to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in Barranquilla, “where the Orthodox community is currently in a transition phase.”
On Saturday, May 3, Fr. Daniel served Vespers for an early celebration of the Romanian Orthodox Mission of St. John the Wallachian’s patronal feast. The next day, he concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with parish priest Fr. Esteban Díaz in a space the parish has been using for several years but which is no longer available.
On May 2, the parish community organized its own Alimentos de Amor, “offering support to those in need and demonstrating the same charitable spirit in the name of the Gospel.”
Parishes in Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador are also preparing for the visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae scheduled for September.
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