In the context of the Centennial Year of the Romanian Patriarchate, and with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Two Americas, the Vicar Eparchial Father Daniel Ene made a pastoral visit to Lima, Peru, from June 11–13, 2025.
This visit naturally followed a broader initiative launched in Ecuador just a few weeks earlier, where Her Excellency Mrs. Camelia Ion-Radu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, together with Father Daniel Ene, held two important meetings in the capital city of Quito. These meetings, held with Monsignor Andrés Carrascosa Coso, Apostolic Nuncio to Ecuador, and Monsignor José Alfredo Espinosa Mateus, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Quito and Primate of Ecuador, focused on the potential granting of a building to serve as the future home of the Romanian Orthodox Parish “St. Hierarch Joseph of Partoș” in Quito. This visionary effort, which bridges Romanian tradition with Latin American reality, laid the groundwork for the continued development of Romanian Orthodox missionary presence in the region, including in Lima.
In this spirit, the symposium held in the Peruvian capital under the title:
“Un Siglo de Patriarcado, un Legado de Fe. La Iglesia Ortodoxa Rumana a través de la Historia”, organized by the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Two Americas in collaboration with the Embassy of Romania in the Republic of Peru, marked a genuine milestone in the growth and maturity of the Romanian Orthodox mission in South America.
The event opened with a solemn and substantive address delivered by Mr. Alexandru-Mihai Dumitru, Consul of Romania in Lima, who highlighted the historical importance of the Patriarchate Centennial and reaffirmed the Romanian state’s commitment to preserving the spiritual values of the Romanian diaspora.
This was followed by a presentation in Spanish given by Father Daniel Ene, addressed to the entire audience—Romanian faithful, local guests, Christian clergy, and diplomatic representatives. Father Daniel offered a deep historical perspective on the proclamation of the Romanian Patriarchate in 1925, emphasizing that this was the only such process in the Orthodox world born from the people’s desire, not from political decisions or administrative reforms. With clarity and dignity, he outlined the path of a Church that grew alongside the nation, becoming a pillar of national and spiritual unity during the defining moments of modern Romanian history.
A particularly emotional moment followed when Father Daniel Ene, on behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, awarded the American Metropolitan Cross to Her Excellency, Ambassador Camelia Ion-Radu. This decoration—the highest honor granted by the Metropolia to a layperson—was awarded in recognition of her exceptional diplomatic work, as well as her defining role in consolidating and unifying Romanian communities in Peru and Bolivia, and in opening new missionary avenues in Ecuador.
Her Excellency has proven to be not only a brilliant diplomat but also a builder of living connections between faith, culture, and nation. Personally involved in preparing the historical exhibition and supporting the organization of the event, she displayed a noble spirit that deeply moved all those present. In her speech of gratitude, Ambassador Radu thanked His Eminence Nicolae and Father Daniel Ene for the honor and reaffirmed her mission’s ongoing commitment to support the activity of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the region.
The evening continued with the opening of a historical photography exhibition, composed of rare and previously unseen archival images, offering a visual journey through a century of Romanian ecclesial life. The exhibition was realized with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel and with the support of Very Reverend Father Policarp, Director of the Library of the Holy Synod.
Distinguished guests present included Monsignor Giuseppe Quirighetti, from the Apostolic Nunciature in Peru; Mr. Athanasios Kafkalidis, Consul of Greece; His Excellency Marco Antonio Santivañez, Minister in the Peruvian Diplomatic Service; and His Excellency Elard Alberto Escala Sánchez-Barreto, former Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to Romania.
The event concluded with a festive Romanian reception, where guests were invited to enjoy traditional Romanian cuisine. The dishes were lovingly prepared by Mrs. Diana Rotundu, Smaranda Cojocaru, and Paula Rotundu, founders of the Romanian Association of Peru “Zalmoxis – Raíces Rumanas”. Their culinary efforts brought the fragrance and warmth of the Romanian home to the heart of Lima.
At the close of this uplifting evening, several guests—both local and international—expressed a heartfelt desire to see Lima become the host of a future Romanian Orthodox parish, similar to those already established in Quito, Colombia, and more recently, Chile. This desire only confirms that the work begun in faith and trust finds its echo in the hearts of those who long for the presence and ministry of the Church.
This visit was not merely a commemorative event, but a bridge between the confessing past of the Romanian Orthodox Church and its missionary future in the southern hemisphere. With God’s blessing, the fruits of this labor will continue to grow wherever there is faith, dedication, and true service.
Fr. Daniel Ene
