Romanian religious missions in Holy Land safe amid Israel-Iran conflict, Church representative says
“In the context of the recent acts of war unfolding in the Holy Land, we inform you that our Romanian settlements in the Holy Land — the Representation in Jerusalem and the Romanian Settlement in the biblical city of Jericho — are safe,” announced Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, the representative of the Romanian Patriarchate in the Holy Land, on Monday.
The statement comes amid the outbreak of armed conflict between Israel and Iran, in which 24 Israeli civilians and 224 Iranian civilians have lost their lives following bombings that began on June 13.
“All of us living on this mission are safe and protected, and we hope that things will return to normal soon, as these unfortunate events have disrupted everything,” Archimandrite Teofil added.
A few pilgrims who were caught in the Holy Land during these days — though not many — have mostly managed to leave Israel, guided by the instructions provided by our Romanian officials from the embassy and consulates operating in the Holy Land.”
Efforts are ongoing to evacuate several other Romanians still located in the Holy Land, the archimandrite said.
“Although the outlook announced by authorities is not entirely optimistic — as operations are expected to continue in the coming days — we place our trust and hope in a peaceful resolution. We await good news, we offer prayers for peace for the entire Holy Land and the Christian East, and we, the residents here, keep the flame of prayer burning at the Romanian Church in Jerusalem and the Romanian Settlement in Jericho. We entrust ourselves to the prayers of all those back home, thank everyone for the kind messages sent in recent days, and we hope to meet again soon in peaceful and sunny times. Lord, help us!” he concluded.
Context
Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently in contact with approximately 300 Romanian pilgrims and dual citizens located in Israel — including Bethlehem — and in Iran. Both countries’ airspaces remain closed, with all commercial flights suspended.
Romanians are urged to register with their respective embassies (Tel Aviv, Haifa, or Tehran) and to use the emergency number +40 21 431 15 81, as well as the following dedicated email addresses:
For Israel
[email protected] – to notify presence and request consular support from the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv
[email protected] – for notifications and assistance from the Romanian Consulate General in Haifa
For Iran
[email protected] – to notify presence and request consular support from the Romanian Embassy in Tehran
Photo: Archim. Teofil Anăstăsoaie
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