{"id":313605,"date":"2021-03-31T15:29:06","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T12:29:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=313605"},"modified":"2021-03-31T15:29:06","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T12:29:06","slug":"a-year-of-philanthropy-in-a-pandemic-interview-with-the-volunteer-coordinator-at-national-cathedrals-chapel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arhiva.basilica.ro\/en\/a-year-of-philanthropy-in-a-pandemic-interview-with-the-volunteer-coordinator-at-national-cathedrals-chapel\/","title":{"rendered":"A year of philanthropy in a pandemic. Interview with the volunteer coordinator at National Cathedral\u2019s Chapel"},"content":{"rendered":"

The volunteers of the Chapel of the Romanian People\u2019s Salvation Cathedral have been organizing various activities for years to help others.<\/p>\n

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Romania, they were mobilized and helped those suffering.<\/p>\n

D\u0103nu\u0163-Viorel Prun\u0103, the volunteer coordinator, told Basilica.ro how the volunteers managed to achieve their goals and come to their neighbours\u2019 aid.<\/p>\n

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Basilica.ro<\/strong>: Who is D\u0103nu\u0163 Prun\u0103? What do you do, and how did you become a volunteer?<\/span><\/p>\n

D\u0103nu\u0163 Prun\u0103<\/strong>: I am an ordinary man who comes from a large family. We are five brothers who had a beautiful childhood, spent mostly with our grandparents. And I, in turn, have a large family. I have five children, and I give glory to God for everything He has given me in this life. From a professional perspective, I am an officer in the Air Force Staff at the Ministry of National Defense.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meeting with Archim. Ciprian Gr\u0103dinaru<\/span><\/h1>\n

At one point, I went through a difficult life trial. This made me ask for the help of the Church. A good friend told me that a church is being consecrated and, if I want, to go because one can enter the Holy Altar. <\/span><\/p>\n

After venerating the holy relics of St. John Chrysostom at the National Cathedral\u2019s Chapel and entering the Holy Altar, I walked to the bus station, heading home. While waiting for the bus, a lady I didn\u2019t know asked me if I had talked to Father Ciprian Gradinaru. <\/span><\/p>\n

I went back to Church to speak to Father Ciprian. I met him then, he became my spiritual father, and from that moment, my life changed.<\/span><\/p>\n

From a person who needed help, I became a person who helps people. This is how ten years have passed since I have nourished my soul by helping people in difficulty. All this time, I felt that as I helped people, I, in turn, received more gifts from God.<\/span><\/p>\n

Basilica.ro<\/strong>: It has been a year since the pandemic broke out in Romania. How did you feel in those moments, and how did you think you could help?<\/span><\/p>\n

D\u0103nu\u0163 Prun\u0103:<\/span><\/strong> It was not very difficult to mobilize when the pandemic broke out because, at the National Cathedral\u2019s Chapel, a community of people dedicated to helping each other was formed, pastored by Achim. Ciprian Gradinaru. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, it was a very difficult year due to the authorities\u2019 restrictions and because not much was known about this virus. I can\u2019t say we weren\u2019t afraid. We had families at home, and we exposed them to this risk. In the end, we still got this virus, but with God\u2019s help, we all overcame it well. <\/span><\/p>\n

All I can tell you is that nothing wrong can happen to you when you have God in your soul. I have always felt God\u2019s help throughout this time.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the pandemic started, we had to stop all the campaigns that were going on to reschedule all the activities. We mobilized to collect donations and help those most affected by the pandemic. We focused on that part of the most affected population, namely the sick, the elderly, and families with many children.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Volunteers reaching out to children<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We\u2019ve launched a few campaigns:<\/p>\n