Father Sergiu Marcel Vlad, parish priest of the only Romanian church in Istanbul, paid tribute to Mircea Lucescu, saying the former national team manager distinguished himself through professionalism, acting like "a true leader who made an essential contribution to promoting the authentic values of sport worldwide", and showed "constant interest in the needs and challenges of the Church and the Romanian community in Istanbul".
The cleric described Lucescu as "a successful athlete, brilliant coach, refined intellectual and founder".
"The news of Mr. Mircea Lucescu's passing deeply saddened us, marking our separation from a complex personality," the priest told Basilica.ro.
Father Sergiu Marcel Vlad noted that throughout a life marked by remarkable achievements, Lucescu "distinguished himself through professionalism, being a true leader who contributed essentially to promoting the authentic values of sport worldwide."
Speaking about Lucescu's involvement in church life, the priest said the sports figure "made a significant contribution to the commissioning, in 2004, of the Church of the Holy Martyr Paraskevi in the Hasköy district of Istanbul, for the Romanian community in this city".
"The place of worship, founded by the Holy Martyr Prince Constantin Brancoveanu, who rebuilt it from the ground up in 1692, benefited from extensive restoration works carried out through the care of Mr. Mircea Lucescu and his family. (...) He showed constant interest in the needs and challenges of the Church and the Romanian community in Istanbul," the priest added, as reported by Basilica.ro.
He also recalled that "in 2002, he took steps with the local authorities in Istanbul, decisively contributing to securing a plot of about 3,000 square meters for the Romanian cemetery in the city."
Mircea Lucescu remained close to the community until his final days, with his last visit taking place in September 2025, Father Sergiu Marcel Vlad said.
Mircea Lucescu, former manager of the Romanian national football team, died on Tuesday at the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, at the age of 80.
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