Radio România Internațional

Tag: feast day

  • January 6, 2018 UPDATE

    January 6, 2018 UPDATE

    FEAST DAY – Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians in Romania on
    Sunday celebrated the Baptism of the Christ, the feast day commemorating the
    baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The feast day marks
    the end of the Christmas celebration period. Roman-Catholic Christians in
    Romania celebrated the Epiphany, the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus
    Christ. Christian Churches observing the Julian Calendar celebrate Christmas on
    January 7. The Patriarchy of Constantinople decided in early 20th
    century to switch from the old Julian Calendar to a revised Gregorian calendar,
    which provides for a 13-day gap between the two. Many citizens from the
    Republic of Moldova chose to spend Christmas in the Old Julian Calendar in
    Romania.




    CONCERTS – The Romanian
    Symphony Orchestra is on a tour to the United States until January 16. During
    this period it will hold seven concerts, in Florida, Palm Beach, Miami, Fort
    Myers, Detroit and New Jersey. The final concert will be at Lincoln Center in
    New York, with famous trumpet player Wynton Marsalis as special guest. The
    Romanian Symphony Orchestra is made up of valuable former members of the National
    Youth Orchestra. The tour organizers are the Tinerimea Romana National Art
    Center and the Romanian Cultural Institute.




    BENEFITS – The Romanian Foreign Ministry expressed concern
    regarding Austria’s decision to slash the benefits for children of EU citizens
    working in Austria, adding that the measure goes against principles underlying
    community legislation. The benefits were cut starting January 1 to the
    corresponding amount in the countries of origin, in the case the children
    remained at home. The measure does not apply to any children currently residing
    in Austria. Bucharest claims EU membership compels all states to ensure fair,
    balanced and unbiased treatment for all European citizens. Several ministries
    in Romania have criticized the move, and the Minister for Romanians Worldwide
    said Romania would approach the topic as president of the Council of the
    European Union.




    PRESIDENCY – The rector of the School of Political Sciences in
    Bucharest, former Education Minister Remus Pricopie said Romania’s presidency
    of the EU Council will not freeze domestic politics for six months. The theory
    saying Governments don’t change during the EU Council Presidency is false,
    Pricopie said in a social media post. Since 1958 14 governments were changed
    during their term at the helm of the Council of the EU for various reasons,
    elections, no-confidence motions or early elections, Remus Pricopie went on to
    say.






    UKRAINIAN CHURCH – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of
    Constantinople on Sunday handed the decree granting independence to the
    Ukrainian Orthodox Church to its leader, Metropolitan Yepifaniy. The
    decree opens the way for Ukraine’s Orthodox Church to be recognized by other
    branches of orthodoxy and other churches. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko
    on December 15 announced the setup of the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church
    after a historic decision of the Reunification Council of Orthodox Bishops in
    Kiev. Earlier in 2018 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople
    recognized an independent Orthodox Church in Ukraine, revoking a 332-year-old
    decree placing the Ukrainian Church under the authority of the Patriarchy of
    Moscow. In turn, the Russian Orthodox Church announced the severance of ties
    with the Patriarchy of Constantinople. News agencies note the escalating religious
    tension marks a new episode in the political, cultural and social rupture
    between Kiev and Moscow following the 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula
    by the Russian Federation and the armed conflict between the Ukrainian forces
    and pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine.




    TENNIS – Romanian-born Canadian player Bianca Andreescu was ousted
    2-6, 7-5, 6-1 by Julia Goerges of Germany on Sunday in the final match of the
    Auckland tennis tournament in New Zealand, totaling 250 thousand dollars in
    prize money. Andreescu, WTA no. 152, had an exceptional run at Auckland,
    knocking out Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and Venus Williams of the US.
    Following this performance, Andreescu climbed 40 spots in WTA standings. We
    recall Simona Halep ended 2018 in top position in WTA standings. Another five
    Romanians are currently ranked in the Top 100: Mihaela Buzarnescu (24), Irina
    Begu (67), Ana Bogdan (76), Sorana Cirstea (84) and Monica Niculescu (99).




    SPORTS – CS Magura Cisnadie on Sunday lost 18-41 to Team Esbjerg of
    Denmark in the first fixture of Group A in the EHF Cup. The next fixture will
    be against SG BBM Bietigheim of Germany at home. Also in the EHF Cup, the title
    holders SCM Craiova defeated 18-12 another team from Denmark, Nykobing Falster
    Handbold, in its first Group D fixture. Craiova will next play Spain’s Super
    Amara Bera Bera on January 12 away from home. On Saturday, Romania’s national
    volley team lost 2-3 to Spain in Group F of the European Championship
    preliminaries. The final match will be played on Wednesday against Bosnia.
    Romania needs to win a minimum of two sets of advance to the final tournament
    to be hosted by Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Turkey over August 23 – September
    8.




    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • January 6, 2018 UPDATE

    January 6, 2018 UPDATE

    FEAST DAY – Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians in Romania on
    Sunday celebrated the Baptism of the Christ, the feast day commemorating the
    baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The feast day marks
    the end of the Christmas celebration period. Roman-Catholic Christians in
    Romania celebrated the Epiphany, the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus
    Christ. Christian Churches observing the Julian Calendar celebrate Christmas on
    January 7. The Patriarchy of Constantinople decided in early 20th
    century to switch from the old Julian Calendar to a revised Gregorian calendar,
    which provides for a 13-day gap between the two. Many citizens from the
    Republic of Moldova chose to spend Christmas in the Old Julian Calendar in
    Romania.




    CONCERTS – The Romanian
    Symphony Orchestra is on a tour to the United States until January 16. During
    this period it will hold seven concerts, in Florida, Palm Beach, Miami, Fort
    Myers, Detroit and New Jersey. The final concert will be at Lincoln Center in
    New York, with famous trumpet player Wynton Marsalis as special guest. The
    Romanian Symphony Orchestra is made up of valuable former members of the National
    Youth Orchestra. The tour organizers are the Tinerimea Romana National Art
    Center and the Romanian Cultural Institute.




    BENEFITS – The Romanian Foreign Ministry expressed concern
    regarding Austria’s decision to slash the benefits for children of EU citizens
    working in Austria, adding that the measure goes against principles underlying
    community legislation. The benefits were cut starting January 1 to the
    corresponding amount in the countries of origin, in the case the children
    remained at home. The measure does not apply to any children currently residing
    in Austria. Bucharest claims EU membership compels all states to ensure fair,
    balanced and unbiased treatment for all European citizens. Several ministries
    in Romania have criticized the move, and the Minister for Romanians Worldwide
    said Romania would approach the topic as president of the Council of the
    European Union.




    PRESIDENCY – The rector of the School of Political Sciences in
    Bucharest, former Education Minister Remus Pricopie said Romania’s presidency
    of the EU Council will not freeze domestic politics for six months. The theory
    saying Governments don’t change during the EU Council Presidency is false,
    Pricopie said in a social media post. Since 1958 14 governments were changed
    during their term at the helm of the Council of the EU for various reasons,
    elections, no-confidence motions or early elections, Remus Pricopie went on to
    say.






    UKRAINIAN CHURCH – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of
    Constantinople on Sunday handed the decree granting independence to the
    Ukrainian Orthodox Church to its leader, Metropolitan Yepifaniy. The
    decree opens the way for Ukraine’s Orthodox Church to be recognized by other
    branches of orthodoxy and other churches. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko
    on December 15 announced the setup of the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church
    after a historic decision of the Reunification Council of Orthodox Bishops in
    Kiev. Earlier in 2018 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople
    recognized an independent Orthodox Church in Ukraine, revoking a 332-year-old
    decree placing the Ukrainian Church under the authority of the Patriarchy of
    Moscow. In turn, the Russian Orthodox Church announced the severance of ties
    with the Patriarchy of Constantinople. News agencies note the escalating religious
    tension marks a new episode in the political, cultural and social rupture
    between Kiev and Moscow following the 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula
    by the Russian Federation and the armed conflict between the Ukrainian forces
    and pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine.




    TENNIS – Romanian-born Canadian player Bianca Andreescu was ousted
    2-6, 7-5, 6-1 by Julia Goerges of Germany on Sunday in the final match of the
    Auckland tennis tournament in New Zealand, totaling 250 thousand dollars in
    prize money. Andreescu, WTA no. 152, had an exceptional run at Auckland,
    knocking out Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and Venus Williams of the US.
    Following this performance, Andreescu climbed 40 spots in WTA standings. We
    recall Simona Halep ended 2018 in top position in WTA standings. Another five
    Romanians are currently ranked in the Top 100: Mihaela Buzarnescu (24), Irina
    Begu (67), Ana Bogdan (76), Sorana Cirstea (84) and Monica Niculescu (99).




    SPORTS – CS Magura Cisnadie on Sunday lost 18-41 to Team Esbjerg of
    Denmark in the first fixture of Group A in the EHF Cup. The next fixture will
    be against SG BBM Bietigheim of Germany at home. Also in the EHF Cup, the title
    holders SCM Craiova defeated 18-12 another team from Denmark, Nykobing Falster
    Handbold, in its first Group D fixture. Craiova will next play Spain’s Super
    Amara Bera Bera on January 12 away from home. On Saturday, Romania’s national
    volley team lost 2-3 to Spain in Group F of the European Championship
    preliminaries. The final match will be played on Wednesday against Bosnia.
    Romania needs to win a minimum of two sets of advance to the final tournament
    to be hosted by Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Turkey over August 23 – September
    8.




    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • January 6, 2018

    January 6, 2018

    FEAST DAY – Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians in Romania on
    Sunday celebrated the Baptism of the Christ, the feast day commemorating the
    baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The feast day marks
    the end of the Christmas celebration period. Roman-Catholic Christians in
    Romania celebrated the Epiphany, the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus
    Christ. Christian Churches observing the Julian Calendar celebrate Christmas on
    January 7. The Patriarchy of Constantinople decided in early 20th
    century to switch from the old Julian Calendar to a revised Gregorian calendar,
    which provides for a 13-day gap between the two. Many citizens from the
    Republic of Moldova chose to spend Christmas in the Old Julian Calendar in
    Romania.




    CONCERTS – The Romanian
    Symphony Orchestra is on a tour to the United States until January 16. During
    this period it will hold seven concerts, in Florida, Palm Beach, Miami, Fort
    Myers, Detroit and New Jersey. The final concert will be at Lincoln Center in
    New York, with famous trumpet player Wynton Marsalis as special guest. The
    Romanian Symphony Orchestra is made up of valuable former members of the National
    Youth Orchestra. The tour organizers are the Tinerimea Romana National Art
    Center and the Romanian Cultural Institute.




    BENEFITS – The Romanian Foreign Ministry expressed concern
    regarding Austria’s decision to slash the benefits for children of EU citizens
    working in Austria, adding that the measure goes against principles underlying
    community legislation. The benefits were cut starting January 1 to the
    corresponding amount in the countries of origin, in the case the children
    remained at home. The measure does not apply to any children currently residing
    in Austria. Bucharest claims EU membership compels all states to ensure fair,
    balanced and unbiased treatment for all European citizens. Several ministries
    in Romania have criticized the move, and the Minister for Romanians Worldwide
    said Romania would approach the topic as president of the Council of the
    European Union.




    UKRAINIAN CHURCH – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of
    Constantinople on Sunday handed the decree granting independence to the Ukrainian
    Orthodox Church to its leader, Metropolitan Yepifaniy. The decree opens
    the way for Ukraine’s Orthodox Church to be recognized by other branches of
    orthodoxy and other churches. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on December
    15 announced the setup of the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church after a
    historic decision of the Reunification Council of Orthodox Bishops in Kiev.
    Earlier in 2018 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople recognized
    an independent Orthodox Church in Ukraine, revoking a 332-year-old decree
    placing the Ukrainian Church under the authority of the Patriarchy of Moscow.
    In turn, the Russian Orthodox Church announced the severance of ties with the
    Patriarchy of Constantinople. News agencies note the escalating religious tension
    marks a new episode in the political, cultural and social rupture between Kiev
    and Moscow following the 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by the
    Russian Federation and the armed conflict between the Ukrainian forces and
    pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine.




    TALKS – US President Donald Trump announced new discussions on
    Sunday aimed at putting an end to the dispute that has blocked the US
    Government for two weeks now. A meeting between White House officials and
    members of the Democratic Party on Saturday ended without any positive results.
    News agencies recall President Trump has conditioned the signing of legislation
    that could unblock the government’s activity on the building of the wall on the
    Mexican border. Trump says the wall is the best way to stop the flow of drugs
    and crime from Central and Southern America. The Democrats disagree and are now
    using their majoirty in the House of Representatives to block the funding of
    the wall, pending the Federal Government resuming its activity.




    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • January 6, 2018

    January 6, 2018

    FEAST DAY – Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians in Romania on
    Sunday celebrated the Baptism of the Christ, the feast day commemorating the
    baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The feast day marks
    the end of the Christmas celebration period. Roman-Catholic Christians in
    Romania celebrated the Epiphany, the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus
    Christ. Christian Churches observing the Julian Calendar celebrate Christmas on
    January 7. The Patriarchy of Constantinople decided in early 20th
    century to switch from the old Julian Calendar to a revised Gregorian calendar,
    which provides for a 13-day gap between the two. Many citizens from the
    Republic of Moldova chose to spend Christmas in the Old Julian Calendar in
    Romania.




    CONCERTS – The Romanian
    Symphony Orchestra is on a tour to the United States until January 16. During
    this period it will hold seven concerts, in Florida, Palm Beach, Miami, Fort
    Myers, Detroit and New Jersey. The final concert will be at Lincoln Center in
    New York, with famous trumpet player Wynton Marsalis as special guest. The
    Romanian Symphony Orchestra is made up of valuable former members of the National
    Youth Orchestra. The tour organizers are the Tinerimea Romana National Art
    Center and the Romanian Cultural Institute.




    BENEFITS – The Romanian Foreign Ministry expressed concern
    regarding Austria’s decision to slash the benefits for children of EU citizens
    working in Austria, adding that the measure goes against principles underlying
    community legislation. The benefits were cut starting January 1 to the
    corresponding amount in the countries of origin, in the case the children
    remained at home. The measure does not apply to any children currently residing
    in Austria. Bucharest claims EU membership compels all states to ensure fair,
    balanced and unbiased treatment for all European citizens. Several ministries
    in Romania have criticized the move, and the Minister for Romanians Worldwide
    said Romania would approach the topic as president of the Council of the
    European Union.




    UKRAINIAN CHURCH – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of
    Constantinople on Sunday handed the decree granting independence to the Ukrainian
    Orthodox Church to its leader, Metropolitan Yepifaniy. The decree opens
    the way for Ukraine’s Orthodox Church to be recognized by other branches of
    orthodoxy and other churches. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on December
    15 announced the setup of the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church after a
    historic decision of the Reunification Council of Orthodox Bishops in Kiev.
    Earlier in 2018 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople recognized
    an independent Orthodox Church in Ukraine, revoking a 332-year-old decree
    placing the Ukrainian Church under the authority of the Patriarchy of Moscow.
    In turn, the Russian Orthodox Church announced the severance of ties with the
    Patriarchy of Constantinople. News agencies note the escalating religious tension
    marks a new episode in the political, cultural and social rupture between Kiev
    and Moscow following the 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by the
    Russian Federation and the armed conflict between the Ukrainian forces and
    pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine.




    TALKS – US President Donald Trump announced new discussions on
    Sunday aimed at putting an end to the dispute that has blocked the US
    Government for two weeks now. A meeting between White House officials and
    members of the Democratic Party on Saturday ended without any positive results.
    News agencies recall President Trump has conditioned the signing of legislation
    that could unblock the government’s activity on the building of the wall on the
    Mexican border. Trump says the wall is the best way to stop the flow of drugs
    and crime from Central and Southern America. The Democrats disagree and are now
    using their majoirty in the House of Representatives to block the funding of
    the wall, pending the Federal Government resuming its activity.




    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • June 29, 2018 UPDATE

    June 29, 2018 UPDATE

    AGREEMENT Romanian president Klaus Iohannis said on Friday in Brussels that Romania is successfully involved and well managing the inflow of refugees. According to Iohannis, Romania is not a destination country for migrants but a transit one and the number of refugees transiting it is reasonable and can be easily managed. After a series of tense debates on Thursday night in Brussels the EU leaders reached an agreement on migration. The Europeans have decided among other things to create platforms aimed at sending these migrants outside the EU in order to discourage further attempts to cross the Mediterranean. The participants have also agreed to extend with six months the sanctions against Russia, in response to its annexation of Crimea.



    REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA — The Central Electoral Authority in the Republic of Moldova, a former Soviet state with a predominantly Romanian speaking population announced on Friday that mayoral elections will again be held in the capital city, Chishinau. The decision comes after the US Department of State has criticized the “non-transparent ruling” issued by Moldova’s Supreme Court of Justice which invalidated the result of the mayoral elections of June 3, in Chishinau. According to the local press, the US diplomacy has warned in a communiqué that the move is a threat to democracy. Earlier, the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, have, in their turn, condemned the decision made by the Moldovan Court. The recent elections for the city hall of Chishinau were won by the pro-European candidate Andrei Nastase, the leader of the Dignity and Truth Platform. Nastase and his second round contender, Socialist Ion Ceban, made appeals to mobilize people to come to the polls on the day of the elections, which were considered to be “electoral agitation”.



    JUSTICE OVERHAUL — The Public Ministry has identified over 30 articles suspected of being unconstitutional, following an analysis of the changes to the Code of Criminal Procedure, Romania’s Prosecutor General, Augustin Lazăr, said on Friday. He said all these provisions had been brought to the attention of the relevant institutions to notify the Constitutional Court. He made these statements after on Thursday, 12 western embassies to Bucharest made an appeal to all sides involved in amending the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure to avoid changes which might weaken the rule of law or Romania’s capacity to fight against crime and corruption.



    DECISION The government in Bucharest has adopted a decision providing for the implementation of 8 strategic investment projects under private-public partnership. Among these projects there is the construction of two regional hospitals, a plant specialized in producing electric vehicles, a national blood and stem cells bank as well as a new tourist center in the Fagaras Mountains. In another development, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has announced that pensions in the public system and state aid for the handicapped are to be raised as of July 1st. So the pension reference point will increase by 10% and the minimum pension by 20%. Over 5 million Romanians are expected to benefit the measure.



    WEATHER The National Meteorology Administration on Friday issued a code orange alert against heavy rain for 12 counties in the north and centre of Romania, valid until Saturday morning. A code yellow thunderstorm alert has been issued for most of the country as well, expected to last for brief periods of time. On Saturday, maximum temperatures are expected to reach 26-27 degrees Celsius. Almost three quarters of the country are under threat of flooding until July 1. One of the worst affected counties is Bacau, in the east.



    TENNIS — The all Romanian pair Irina Begu/ Mihaela Buzărnescu on Friday qualified to the finals of the Eastbourne tournament in the UK, with some 850,000 dollars in prize money up for grabs. In the semifinals they defeated the pair Nadia Kicenok (Ukraine) / Ekaterina Makarova (Russia), 2-1. In the finals, scheduled for Saturday, Begu and Buzărnescu will play against Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada) / Yifan Xu (China).



    HOLIDAY Orthodox and Catholic believers from the world over, including from Romania, on Friday celebrated Saints Peter and Paul, the most important apostles of Jesus Christ. They both founded Christian communities — Peter in Palestine and Rome, Paul in Anatolia and Greece. Both apostles died as martyrs in Rome, during the anti-Christian persecutions of emperor Nero. Their earthly remains are being kept in two churches built to their memory — St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican and St. Paul in southern Rome. Over 450 thousand Romanians are today celebrating their name day.


    (Translated by D. Bilt & D. Vijeu)

  • June 29, 2018

    June 29, 2018

    HOLIDAY Orthodox and Catholic believers from the world over, including from Romania, are today celebrating Saints Peter and Paul, the most important apostles of Jesus Christ. They both founded Christian communities — Peter in Palestine and Rome, Paul in Anatolia and Greece. Both apostles died as martyrs in Rome, during the anti-Christian persecutions of emperor Nero. Their earthly remains are being kept in two churches built to their memory — St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican and St. Paul in southern Rome. Over 450 thousand Romanians are today celebrating their name day.



    CRITICISM The US Department of State has criticized the ‘non-transparent decision’ by the Supreme Justice Court of the Republic of Moldova, an ex-soviet Romanian –speaking country to invalidate the results of the municipal election on June 3rd in Chisinau. According to the local press, the US diplomacy has warned in a communiqué that the move is a threat to democracy. The head of the EU diplomacy Federica Mogherini and the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn had earlier condemned the decision of the Moldovan justice. The recent election for the mayor seat of capital Chisinau had been won by pro-European Andrei Nastase, head of the Dignity and Truth Platform. After the Supreme Court’s ruling, Nastase urged the Moldovans to take to the streets to protest the decision, which it considers politically-commissioned and illegal.



    AGREEMENT Romanian president Klaus Iohannis said on Friday in Brussels that Romania is successfully involved and well managing the inflow of refugees. According to Iohannis, Romania is not a destination country for migrants but a transit one and the number of refugees transiting it is reasonable and can be easily managed. After a series of tense debates last night in Brussels the EU leaders reached an agreement on migration. The Europeans have decided among other things to create platforms aimed at sending these migrants outside the EU in order to discourage further attempts to cross the Mediterranean. The participants have also agreed to extend with six months the sanctions against Russia, in response to its annexation of Crimea.



    DECISION The government in Bucharest has adopted a decision providing for the implementation of 8 strategic investment projects under private-public partnership. Among these projects there is the construction of two regional hospitals, a plant specialized in producing electric vehicles, a national blood and stem cells bank as well as a new tourist center in the Fagaras Mountains. In another development, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has announced that pensions in the public system and state aid for the handicapped are to be raised as of July 1st. So the pension reference point will increase by 10% and the minimum pension by 20%. Over 5 million Romanians are expected to benefit the measure.



    WEATHER The National Meteorology Administration issued a code orange alert for heavy rain for 12 counties in the north and center of Romania until tomorrow morning. A code yellow thunderstorm alert has been issued for most of the country as well, expected to last for brief periods of time. Maximum temperatures may reach 28 degrees Celsius, after a noon reading of 22 degrees in Bucharest. Almost three quarters of the country are under threat of flooding. One of the worst affected is the county of Bacau, in the east. In the northeast, roads have been blocked by flooding, with many homes affected. Stay tuned for more after the news.


    (Translated by D. Bilt)