1938: Government closes and seals the Romania office, now in Bucharest.

1946: Some 15,000 attend the first national convention in Bucharest.

1995: Romania branch office is reestablished in Bucharest.

Later, the two brothers were assigned to Bucharest, where they helped many more come to an accurate knowledge of God’s Word. One appreciative man wrote: “I thank God for sending Brothers Emanoil and Onisim, who had to work hard to convince and enlighten me. The Lord will do a great work in this city, but patience is needed.”

Ioan’s grandnephew Daniel relates: “In 1914, Ioan Rus was drafted for military service. Because he refused to go to war, he was taken to Bucharest and there sentenced to death. At the execution, he was forced to dig his own grave and to stand next to it facing a firing squad. The officer in charge then allowed Ioan to say a few final words. He chose to pray out loud. Moved by Ioan’s prayer, the soldiers had second thoughts and would not carry out the execution. The officer then took one of the men aside and promised him a three months’ paid leave if he shot the prisoner. The man accepted the offer and earned his leave.”