Eusebio Leal (Eusebio Leal Spengler, 1942–2020) was an iconic figure in Cuba, recognized and respected internationally. The late historian and intellectual was a close collaborator of the country’s leader, Fidel Castro, for decades. Castro entrusted him with directing the restoration program for the historic center of Havana.
Thanks to his tireless efforts, “Old Havana” was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among other roles, he served as President of the Monuments Commission of Cuba’s capital and dedicated his life to preserving the city’s cultural and historical heritage. Leal was also a staunch advocate of religious freedom, famously stating that religion and revolution were “never incompatible” for him. Inspired by this belief and his admiration for Byzantine culture, he played a pivotal role in the construction of the Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas in Havana. In the early 2000s, he visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate to convey Fidel Castro’s and the Cuban Government’s intention to build an Orthodox church and offer it to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In 2004, during the historic visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Havana, Leal attended the church’s inauguration ceremony and personally guided the Patriarch around the monuments of Cuba’s capital.
To honor the memory of this remarkable individual and a key figure in the establishment of the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Havana, Archbishop Makarios of Australia visited his former residence in Old Havana, now a museum, on Saturday, January 25. As part of the official celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the church’s inauguration, the Eusebio Leal Museum hosted an exhibition featuring photographic and audiovisual materials documenting the construction phase of the church, its inauguration, and its donation by the late Fidel Castro to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Archbishop Makarios, representing the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Mother Church of Constantinople at the celebrations, delivered a brief address to the visitors of the exhibition, including Ms. Leira Sánchez Valdivia, representative of the Cuban Government, and other state officials. In his speech, the Archbishop expressed profound respect and admiration for the late Eusebio Leal, describing him as a blessed individual who loved his country and embraced values deeply rooted in Christian teachings. “I believe Eusebio Leal is a role model for contemporary Cuban society,” he remarked. He also shared his heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to convey the Mother Church’s appreciation for Leal’s contributions to Orthodoxy.
Recalling the Lord’s command to “love your enemies,” the Archbishop highlighted that “Eusebio Leal carried the Gospel in his heart, which proclaims love for all—both friends and even enemies.” He continued, “He understood that what the Orthodox Church offers to the people is love alone. We want only for people to have beautiful smiles and peace in their hearts. That is our mission and our message, and I thank all of you for loving and supporting the Orthodox Church here in Cuba.”
In conclusion, Archbishop Makarios conveyed the wishes and blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to all those present. He also expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality and love he had received during his visit to Cuba.
