Romanian Orthodox parishes in the diaspora will organise educational activities in the Romanian language for Children’s Day, as part of a joint initiative supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Romanian Patriarchate aimed at promoting the cultural and spiritual identity of Romanians living abroad.
The subject was discussed on Monday during the third meeting of the Interinstitutional Coordination Working Group with institutions involved in the study of the Romanian language abroad (GLROS), established under the authority of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The group includes representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Romanian Language Institute, the Romanian Cultural Institute, the Department for Romanians Everywhere, and the Romanian Patriarchate, through its Sector for Christian Relations, Interreligious Relations, and Romanian Communities Abroad.
A living witness to faith in the diaspora
During the meeting, the representative of the Romanian Patriarchate, Fr. Costin Spiridon, presented a summary of the activities carried out by Romanian Orthodox parishes abroad.
“In Romanian Orthodox parishes abroad, creative workshops, educational meetings and festive events will be organised for Children’s Day on 1 June, as well as camps entitled The Joy of Friendship, during which children will perform religious and patriotic songs, recite poetry and take part in activities intended to cultivate love for God, for family and for the values of our nation,” the patriarchal adviser told Basilica.ro.
Fr. Costin Spiridon underlined that all activities will be organised in Romanian and will also have an important community and missionary dimension.
“These events are not only an occasion for joy and fellowship, but also a living testimony of faith in Christ within Romanian communities in the diaspora,” the priest added.
An essential element of identity
The meeting was organised at the headquarters of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Clara-Alexandra Volintiru, Secretary of State for Interinstitutional Relations, Development Cooperation and Human Rights.
“The discussions focused on strengthening institutional cooperation and identifying concrete ways of supporting the teaching and promotion of the Romanian language within Romanian communities abroad,” the official stated in a post published on her personal Facebook page.
“The Romanian language represents an essential element of our cultural identity and an important instrument for preserving ties with Romanians everywhere,” Clara-Alexandra Volintiru said.
The interinstitutional working group was established at the end of February. Its objective is to support Romanian communities by developing and expanding Romanian-language study programmes abroad, as well as promoting educational opportunities available to Romanians living in the diaspora.
Photo: Facebook / Clara-Alexandra Volintiru
