Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești participated on Thursday in a ceremony marking Romanian Gendarmerie Day, held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) headquarters.
Immediately after the arrival of officials—including Acting President Ilie Bolojan—the ceremony began with a Te Deum prayer service.
Bishop Varlaam, the Patriarch of Romania’s delegate at the event, was joined in service by Archimandrite Ciprian Grădinaru, Ecclesiarch of the National Cathedral Chapel, along with other clergy.
Following the prayers, a solemn ceremony was held to decorate the battle flags of various Romanian Gendarmerie Inspectorates.
At the proposal of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Romanian Gendarmerie’s battle flag was decorated by the President with the National Order “Valour and Faith”, peace insignia for military personnel, at the Commander rank. Additionally, the battle flags of two mobile gendarmerie units and nine county inspectorates received the same decoration, at the Knight rank.
President Ilie Bolojan delivered a speech, stating that the Gendarmerie remains a pillar of public safety and order.
“We value the courage, solidarity, and devotion you demonstrate daily, in every mission or intervention, to make Romania a safer place,” said the acting President of Romania.
On Thursday, the Romanian Gendarmerie celebrated its 175th anniversary since its establishment.
Photo: TVR
