Press Release: March 9 – The Day of Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs

and the Commemoration of Anti-communist Fighters in Romania

March 9, commemoration day in the Orthodox calendar of the 40 Martyrs of Sevastia, is, significantly, also the Day of Commemoration of Anti-Communist Political Detainees from the period 1944-1989.

This day is dedicated to those who fought, most of them to the death, against the establishment of a totalitarian and aggressive anti-Christian political regime in Romania.

As a sign of remembrance and gratitude, we pray on this day for the repose of the souls of those who died loving their country and the people which were tried very hard, remaining steadfast in the faith that the communist regime tried to tear down systematically and brutally from the souls of Romanians.

These Romanian freedom fighters, authentic models of courage, dignity, steadfastness in faith and patriotism, are commemorated by the Church at every Holy Liturgy, alongside the heroes of all times and all places, because they sacrificed themselves in camps and prisons for the freedom, unity and dignity of the Romanian people.

Chancellery of the Holy Synod