Divine Liturgy held at Romanian jail where church financier Gigi Becali is imprisoned
27/5/13
The Romanian Orthodox Church sent Varsanufie Prahoveanul (in picture), bishop of the Bucharest Archbishopy, to hold the Liturgy at the Rahova Church on Sunday, May 26, where Romanian businessman Gigi Becali, who is a well known financier of the church and is outspoken in his religious views, was imprisoned a week ago. The event was much debated by the Romanian media, with many being outraged that the church had sent its second most important official because of Becali’s large donations. It is as yet uncertain whether Becali actually attended the liturgy, as some local sources suggest that in the end, he did not show up.
Gigi Becali owns the football Club Steaua, and is known for his businesses involving the sale of land plots in the Northern area of Bucharest. Romania’s Supreme Court sentenced Becali to three years imprisonment for the MApN (Defense Ministry) land exchange case. Former minister Babiuc and former Chief of Staff General Dumitru Cioflină also received two-year jail sentences.
editor@romania-insider.com
