In 1996, Bucharest was scheduled to host one of the “Messengers of Godly Peace” International Conventions. However, the Orthodox clergy did all they could to stop the convention. They and their minions pasted hateful posters all over the city​—on church property, buildings, passageways, and walls. “Orthodoxy or death,” said one, while another read: “We will ask the authorities to cancel this convention. COME SO THAT WE MAY DEFEND OUR FOREFATHERS’ FAITH. May God help us!”

Under the circumstances, city officials had second thoughts and would not allow the convention to be held in Bucharest. Nevertheless, the brothers managed to secure sites in Brasov and Cluj-Napoca from July 19 to 21, and they were also able to organize much smaller conventions in Bucharest and Baia-Mare for those unable to travel to the other conventions.

News reporters were impressed that the brothers were able to remain calm and reorganize things on such short notice. Hence, despite the rantings of the clergy, the media coverage on the day before the convention was positive. But even the earlier negative reports did some good in that they brought Jehovah’s name to the fore. “In three weeks,” said a brother in Bucharest, “we got publicity equivalent to years of witnessing throughout the country. What the Romanian Orthodox Church thought would hinder us actually turned out to be for the advancement of the good news.” A total of 40,206 attended the conventions, and 1,679 were baptized.

[Pictures on page 156, 157]

Thousands attended the 1996 “Messengers of Godly Peace” International Conventions, despite opposition from the clergy