The Romanian Orthodox Church has reported a significant increase in interest in Orthodox Christianity across several Latin American countries, with dozens of new converts joining the Church and many more preparing for baptism.

According to the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, which provides pastoral care for Orthodox communities in parts of Latin America, 50 new believers were received into the Church between Easter and Pentecost 2026. An additional 80 people are currently undergoing catechetical preparation for Baptism and Chrismation.

Church officials said that most of the new members come from Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico. Many were introduced to Orthodoxy through worship services conducted in their native languages, missionary outreach, educational programs, and charitable activities organized by local parishes.

The Metropolia emphasized that conversion to Orthodoxy involves a lengthy period of preparation. Candidates typically participate in catechism courses lasting at least six months, studying Holy Scripture, Orthodox doctrine, liturgical life, and the spiritual traditions of the Church before being received into the faith.

Chile recorded the largest number of new Orthodox Christians during the Easter season, with 18 people joining the Church. Ecuador welcomed 12 new members, while 10 were received in Colombia and seven in Venezuela. In Mexico, one adult believer was received into an Orthodox parish in Cancún after completing the required preparation and publicly professing the Orthodox faith.

At the same time, missionary efforts continue throughout the region. Church officials reported that 16 catechumens are currently preparing for reception into the Church in Ecuador, 28 in Colombia, 25 in Chile, and 11 in Venezuela.

Representatives of the Romanian Orthodox Church stressed that the development reflects more than numerical growth. They pointed to the emergence of stable Orthodox communities that have established regular liturgical life, educational initiatives, and social outreach programs.

“These people are not statistics. Behind each one is a personal story of searching, questioning, prayer, and gradual discovery of the Orthodox faith,” representatives of the Metropolia said.

Church leaders believe the trend demonstrates a growing interest among Latin Americans in the Orthodox spiritual tradition and the apostolic heritage of Christianity. They noted that missionary initiatives aimed at presenting Orthodoxy in accessible ways and local languages have played a crucial role in introducing the faith to new audiences.

The report highlights the continuing expansion of Orthodox Christian communities in Latin America, a region where Orthodox presence has traditionally been limited but has shown steady growth in recent years through missionary work and local parish development.