Vladimir Ghika, martyr (1873–1954)

Biography

Romanian prince, convert, diplomat and priest, Vladimir Ghika used his culture and social position to serve the poor, sick and refugees. Born in the Orthodox Church, he entered into full communion with the Catholic Church after a long discernment and was ordained a priest at the age of fifty. He carried out a fruitful apostolate in Paris and Bucharest, living poor among the poor. Under the communist regime he refused to leave Romania, defended the union with Rome, was imprisoned and died after torture and ill-treatment.