Church of Martyrs and Confessors of Communist Prisons to be consecrated in Târgu Ocna

The National School for Prison Officers in Târgu Ocna, Romania, hosts two days of celebrations dedicated to the consecration of the Church of Martyrs and Confessors of Communist Prisons.

Five hierarchs will officiate on Saturday the consecration of the church built near the prison where Valeriu Gafencu, surnamed “the saint of the prisons”, reposed. The institution will also inaugurate the Prison Museum and a monument dedicated to Prince Martyr Constantine Brâncoveanu.

Five hierarchs will consecrate the Church dedicated to the martyrs and confessors of Communist prisons: Archbishop Ioachim of Roman and Bacău, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis, Bishop Andrei of Covasna and Harghita, Auxiliary Bishop of Arad Emilian of Criș.

On these days, two reliquaries are brought from Nechit Monastery and displayed near the new church, to be honoured by the faithful. They contain parts of the holy relics of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste and parts of the relics of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs.

Programme

Friday, May 13

16:00 – The Vespers office
16:50 – Greeting ceremony for the arrival of Bishop Andrei of Covasna and Harghita
17:00 – Reconsecration of the chapel of the National School for Prison Officers in Târgu Ocna
19:30 – Concert of religious and lay music

Saturday, May 14

08:00 – Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis, celebrates the Divine Liturgy
09:30 – Sermon and religious songs by Paula Hrișcu
10:00 – Greeting ceremony for the arrival of the hierarchs
10:10 – 13:00 – Blessing, consecration and awarding ceremonies

• Unveiling of the sfințirea Monumentului „Sf. Voievod Constantin Brâncoveanu”
• Inauguration and blessing of the Prison Museum
• Consecration of the Church of Martyrs and Confessors of Communist Prisons (with liturgical answers given by the Psaltic Choir of the Metropolis of Moldavia)
• Awarding festivity
• Concert of religious and lay songs with Paula Hrișcu, a children choir and graduates of the National School for Prison Officers in Târgu Ocna

The National School for Prison Officers in Târgu Ocna is located at the address: 137, Tisești St.

Source: basilica.ro