On Tuesday, Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the “St. Barbarus” Chapel of Ploiești Penitentiary, commemorating 20 years since its consecration.
During the service, Bishop Veniamin urged the inmates to use their time in prison to deepen their relationship with God.
“This institution is unique, and it is crucial to uphold love, unity, and respect, recognizing that the devil tries to bind us and steal the freedom granted by God. You understand the value of freedom better than others,” Bishop Veniamin remarked.
He emphasized, “The freedom given to us by God—to choose between good and evil—can be a double-edged sword when misused, as it shows that our freedom ends where the rights of others begin. It is important to maintain pure and virtuous hearts because, in doing so, God shields us through His angels.”
Reflecting on the clergy’s role, Bishop Veniamin stated, “God transforms hearts when they are pure. In these institutions, a priest’s duty is to help individuals break free from spiritual chains, primarily through prayer and the absolution of sins obtained through confession.”
After the liturgy, Bishop Veniamin hosted a seminar titled “I Was in Prison, and You Visited Me!” at the Ploiești North Deanery Cultural Center.
The seminar showcased the significant initiatives carried out by the Romanian Patriarchate in collaboration with the National Penitentiary Administration.
“The partnership between the Romanian Patriarchate and the National Penitentiary Administration has always been strong. We have priests serving in nearly all Romanian correctional facilities, and in conjunction with various dioceses, we implement supportive programs for those in need,” noted Fr. Ciprian Ioniță, Coordinator of the Social-Philanthropic Sector of the Patriarchate.
Photo: Trinitas TV
Source: basilica.ro