Memorial service for 1989 Romanian Revolution heroes held at Patriarchal Cathedral

His Grace Bishop Timotei of Prahova officiated a memorial service at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Sunday to commemorate the heroes of the December 1989 Revolution.

“Between 1948 and 1989, official media no longer broadcast carols, nor was there any talk of God. The totalitarian regime established in 1948 banned the broadcasting of carols, church services, and all teachings related to the Church on radio and later on television,” His Grace noted.

He also explained that in the days immediately following December 1989, carols were heard again on television and radio.

“This was due to the sacrifice of those who took to the streets in many of the country’s major towns. Surprisingly yet naturally, people knew prayers, young people knelt in various places in the capital, some even under the threat of bullets,” said the Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest.

Reflecting on the events from 35 years ago, Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova emphasised that the memory of the heroes from those days remains alive.

“Thirty-five years have passed since then, and the Church has commemorated these heroes at every opportunity. In this spirit, we are also performing a memorial service here, asking the Merciful God for the forgiveness of the sins of those who had the courage to oppose the dictatorial regime back then.”

“We pray that those sacrificed in the days of December 1989 be received into the rest and joy of the Lord and that their aspiration to live in a world of wisely understood joy, freedom, and communion be our desire, for all of us,” His Grace added.

Photographs: Lumina Newspaper / Luigi Ivanciu / Basilica.ro