Father Ion Tatulea – a priest with a heart of gold

It is my duty to mention some people whom I remember for their special character, for their dignity in the most terrible suffering and for their nobility of soul. I will begin with the priest of St. John’s Church in Iași, Ion Tatulea. This wonderful man embodied the quintessence of the Christian apostolate for which he sacrificed his life. No matter how difficult the situation, he was not discouraged and had the strength to encourage those around him, strengthening their faith in God and sustaining their morale. He had a heart of gold, not being able to eat, not being able to stand the cold, just to help the fallen in need. When I was in the cell with him, I didn’t feel like I was in prison, and the separation was painful for both of us.

(Vasile Lazăr, Six years in hell, Marineasa Publishing House, Timisoara, 2000, p. 91)