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)