Banat Metropolitan Ioan: Europe deserves a Cultural Capital founded by martyrs

In a message occasioned by the official launch of Timisoara 2023 European Capital of Culture year, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat stressed that Europe deserves a Cultural Capital founded by martyrs, recalling that Timisoara is a martyr city.

“Man is born only once in life. A country is born several times. The last time Romania was born was in December 1989 in Timișoara. It was not born from a rock but from the ashes and blood of Timișoara’s martyrs. Even today, the roses in Timișoara are red because they still feed on the warm blood of the martyrs. It was also here that the first buds of Romanian democracy sprouted.”

“The awarding of the European Cultural Capital honorary title to this city means for its inhabitants a flower of gratitude offered to the martyrs of December 1989. These martyrs dreamed and fought for Romania to regain its place on the map of Europe. Therefore, I think Europe deserves to have a Cultural Capital founded by martyrs.”

In his message, Metropolitan Ioan remembered that the Metropolis of Banat is organising an International Meeting of Orthodox Youth this year, gathering almost 4000 young people from Romania and abroad. On this occasion, the Orthodox youth will be introduced to Banat region’s history, culture and spirituality.

“Hoping that all those involved in the organization of events in Timișoara will promote the values of Banat culture, we ask the good God to bless our city and county, to give those involved in these events and the guests who will come from the country and abroad, joy and peace, light and grace in cultivating the communion of love, respect and friendship between people and nations.”

Photography courtesy of the Metropolis of Banat

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