“The Turks ask me to tell them when Mr. Lucescu comes here”

An oasis of tranquility in a sleepless city, with electrifying tremor. This is how I wrote in 2012, when I first passed the threshold of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Istanbul, before Victoria with 1-0 of Romania on “Sukru Saracioglu” with Turkey.

Somewhere in the Eastern part of the Golden Horn, on a side street, on the slope, a small church in Hasköy, Brancovan foundation since 1692. She was the only Romanian on the territory of Turkey. Bears the dedication of the Holy Muceniţa Parascheva. The priest Sergiu Marcel Vlad is even calmer now, with the passing of the years. At that time, the holy place for only two and a half years was leading. Now it's been 15.

60of Orthodox churches are in the continental part of Istanbul, of which only one is Romanian

A detail that makes us think: “The Turks say we are” Kardeș “, that is, brothers with them”

I liked a detail I heard for the first time. After a tour of the church, animated in detail, I remember that I asked him how the Christians are looking at the Muslims.

“I can tell you how the Turks are with the Romanians. They consider us” Kardeş “, that is, brothers. Due to some special people and athletes such as Mircea Lucescu, Gică Hagi, Gică Popescu, the best ambassadors we could have here,” said the 33-year-old man, since then.

Yes, I felt this with the passage of time. We are also similar in good things, and quickly, and to raise everything anywhere, each one cuts his head. Finally, this is another topic.

Il Luce was most often mentioned by the priest when I questioned him about the people who helped and helps the church in Istanbul: “He gave a lot of money to repair the church, in 2004. He donated, among others, two beautiful icons, other objects of worship, as he arrives in Istanbul, he comes here. Patched the Turks to come to our church, when they saw who stepped on the threshold, “Father Sergiu confessed.

The parish house is stretched with various portraits of the coach! And now, the parent tells us that the Turks remained curious when the famous Romanians come to the church. Seeing the number of a car from Romania, two old people took the church in the yard of the football variety.

50By Romanians come on average, according to the estimates of the priest, at Sunday service in the city of over 20 million souls

It is a beautiful church, it is worth visiting when you reach Istanbul. She is not great, but she has a hot, welcoming air, he calms you. I help how I can!
Mircea Lucescu, in September 2012

What Mircea Lucescu wanted to do for Romanians and Turks

“God help, welcome! The translation of Constantin Brâncoveanu's peasantry into Romanian and Turkish is due to Mr. Mircea Lucescu, who asked that all who come to this church, Romanians, Turks, to know that a Romanian voivode is the founder of this place.

His reign was in charge of many because we, the Romanians, be able to pray in this church. He constantly supported the works done here, donated to the church and two icons, with Saint Voivod Stephen the Great and with the Holy Martyrs.

Mr. Lucescu and the family of his reign are worth appreciation. He also arrived with Mrs. Elena Lucescu, his wife, with the son, Răzvan, extraordinary people. We pray for the health of the people, we wish them a lot in activity and results as good as before, “Father Sergiu told us.

It is estimated that there are 3,000 Romanians in Istanbul. I come 40-50 Romanians who come to the church from distant areas, but it is good because some do two hours to come to church. And there are also blockages in traffic. At the big holidays, there are many. By Easter, the yard is full, over 500 Romanian Christians
Father Sergiu Vlad

Father Sergiu Vlad: “Mr. Lucescu also brought his players to church”

As a supporter, I follow the top footballers who have always impressed me, such as Hagi, Gică Popescu, Adrian Ilie, who have remained symbols in Turkey. I sympathize in Turkey with Galatasaray, a very good team, but I also watch Beșiktaș, an interesting band.

From the country? I sympathized with the star, but also with Rapid. I followed these. Few Romanian footballers came to church here. Those who play in Istanbul usually match Sunday, or training, and when we have a job it is harder to get to the church.

But I testify that Mr. Lucescu, every time he arrived in Istanbul, arrived with his players at the Holy Church.

Wherever I go here or abroad, everyone tells Lucescu, Hagi, Popescu when I hear that I am Romanian. Neighbors in the neighborhood ask me to tell them when Mr. Lucescu comes, to see him. Had a contribution that people appreciate. When he learns he comes to church, he wants to shake hands with Mircea Lucescu. Whenever it appears, the news goes, 10-15 people immediately appear, “said the priest.

He also inaugurated a library here, at the church, in 2009. A project initiated for Romanians in Istanbul, with interesting books
Father Sergiu Vlad