December 25, 2016
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Newsroom, 25.12.2016, 12:00
CHRISTMAS – Orthodox and Catholic believers from the world over, including from Romania, a country with an Orthodox majority, are today celebrating Christmas, the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, one of the most important Christian holidays. In Romania, Christmas is being marked through special events and religious services in churches and monasteries as well as through a series of beautiful traditions and rich meals with family members. In his Christmas address, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has pointed out to the fact that desensitization and ignoring the suffering of others is undermining the feeling of love inside families and society. The patriarch has conveyed a message that people should come together in prayer for all those suffering because of wars, persecutions and violence all over the world but also for the Romanians in the Disapora who had to live far from their families. In his Christmas message, Pope Francis has called on Catholics the world over to show compassion to the children suffering from wars and poverty.
MESSAGES Romanian president Klaus Iohannis wishes all the Romanians, wherever they are, a merry Christmas. President Iohannis has also said that in spite of this years challenges, there are reasons for optimism as well as for the strength to build a better society. Princess Margareta, custodian of the Romanian crown, has conveyed a message on behalf of king Mihai and the entire royal family to the Romanians in the country, the Republic of Moldova and the world over wishing them health and happiness as well as happy holidays. In her Christmas address, princess Margareta has said that Romania is consolidating freedoms and liberties making a good use of the instruments of development. She added that the values her father has been promoting his entire life, such as kindness, loyalty, the sense of duty, the love of ones country, competence and the sense of measure, are more important than ever. The princess has also said the latest events in Europe and the entire world have proved that democracy is facing a moment of instability and weakness, while prosperity doesnt necessarily mean balance and the safety of countries.
MEASURES – Authorities in Romania have taken special measures on these winter holidays. Over 22 thousand police troops, firefighters and gendarmes have been deployed all over the country to ensure public order and safety. More border police troops have been added with the view to reducing lines at border checkpoints. The General Aviation Inspectorate with the Interior Ministry has 12 planes ready to transport on a daily basis people who might need medical assistance. Nine hospitals and Bucharests Ambulance Service are ready to provide emergency medical assistance on Christmas and the New Year. ER units all over the country are also ready to offer assistance to those in need.
REVOLUTION – December 25th remains in Romanias recent history the day in which 27 years ago, the dictatorial couple that had ruled Romania up to that time, Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu, was executed by a firing squad in Targoviste, southern Romania, after a superficial trial. Romania was the only country in Eastern Europe in which the change of political regimes was done through blood and violence. The anti-communist revolution began on December 16th 1989 in Timisoara, western Romania, and went on a couple of days later in Bucharest and other cities across the country. More than 1,000 people were killed in the events but many of those who opened fire on the protesters remained unidentified up to this day.
CRASH – A Russian military plane with over 90 on board, mostly members of famous army choir Alexandrov, has reportedly crashed into the Black sea. The plane disappeared from radars almost 20 minutes after takeoff close to the resort of Sochi. The Tu 154 plane was flying to Syria to entertain the Russian troops stationed there. Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered the setting up of an investigation team led by Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev. Putin has also decreed Monday a day of national mourning for the victims.
