Wednesday 3 rd. September. RO - RO - Page 35: The Schedule of the Meeting

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1 RO - RO - Page 35: The Schedule of the Meeting The Orthodox young people who come from the Sister-Churches from abroad or Romanian young people from the diaspora can be welcomed to the Reunion, at their request, on the 1st and 2nd of September 1-2 Sept. At the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral: The participants from abroad arrive by plane, bus, train and other means of transportation (approximately 200 young people) * the young people delegated by the autocephalous Orthodox churches, spokespeople of associations from other countries or other Orthodox young people from abroad. Depending on the arrival of the groups, the accommodation and meals will be done at the hotels. 2 Sept. - 3 Sept. Special activity offered to the guests from abroad: - pilgrimage in the historic Maramureş, (northwest of Transylvania) Visiting monasteries: Bârsana, Peri, Rohia, Merry Cemetery, wooden churches etc (the Monasteris of Maramureș are architectural and spiritual centres) Wednesday 3 rd September Day, Time, Place, Activity, Details of the activity 13:00-15:00 In the parishes from Baia Mare and surrounding areas (accommodation in host families): The welcome for the groups who come from the nearby counties. The participants will receive: - the Booklet with the schedule and the map of the Reunion; - the T-shirt of the Reunion and the ticket-tag for accommodation and meals - the participants from Transylvania will get to their accommodation at the host families, wear the T-shirt, and by 4 o clock p.m. they will be heading towards the Orthodox Cathedral by their own buses or on foot. 17:00 18:00 At the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, with all the participants Evening prayer, religious songs of the Reunion from the Booklet, speeches, messages, the presentation of the delegacies from abroad. 18:00 19:00 Behind the Lascăr Pană Sports Hall: catering distribution and time for dinner. 19:00 21:00 In the parishes from Baia Mare, from around the town, and in hostels: The welcome of the groups who come from outlying counties. 1

2 The participants will receive: - the Booklet with the schedule and the map of the Reunion; - the T-shirt of the Reunion and the ticket-tag for accommodation and meals; - the pack (catering) for dinner ; - guidance towards the accommodation place (hostels, host families, or hotels); the participants put on the T-shirt, have dinner, and then they go to the Orthodox Cathedral by their own buses or on foot, to attend the music show. If they have arrived too late and they are tired, they can have a rest. 19:00 22:00 On the stage near the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral: A show of various music styles 22:00 Going to the accommodation: all the participants arrive at the accommodation places by their own buses or on foot, and they have a rest. Thursday 4 th September 07:00-08:00 At the canteens, restaurants, or host families: Breakfast (the young people from abroad have breakfast at the restaurant of the hotel) 08:30-09:45 At the 12 parish churches from Baia Mare: - the Holy Mass (all the young people will be involved in singing and praying) for the Hymns, we will sing 2 religious songs from the Reunion Booklet. Starting from the text: (II Timothy 4:7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith the priest announces the topic of discussion to the groups: The Saints Brâncoveni Confession of Faith s role models. - You will be led to the nearby schools where the discussions take place 10:00-11:30 Going to the 12 schools, gathering into small groups (10-15 people) and discussions - When entering the school, every participant is given a number for the group/room so that every group gathers people from different regions. Structure of the activity: introductions, discussions on the topic of the day, learning a song from the Booklet. 11:30-12:30 In the classrooms: Lunch (catering) 12:30-13:30 Moving on: The participants go to the locations of the conferences or visits (According to the schedule, on groups divided from 1 to 12). Those of you who have to travel on longer distances can go by your own bus or by the local URBIS buses (no ticket needed for the participants of the Reunion, as the Reunion tag replaces the tickets). 2

3 13:30-15:00 Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - at the Ethnographic Pavilion and the Village Museum, 13:30-15:30 - visits: Maramureş a treasure of Romanian ethnography and spirituality We recommend that: Groups 1,2,3 should start the visits with the Ethnographic Pavilion We recommend that: Groups 4,5,6 should start the visits with the Village Museum 13:30-15:00 Groups 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 - in the Historic Centre, Visits: The Art and History of Baia Mare We recommend that: Groups 7, 8, 9 should start the visits with the Art Museum We recommend that: Groups 10, 11, 12 should start the visits with the History Museum 15:30-17:30 Between 15:30-17:30 - All groups take part to the CONFERENCE: Orthodoxy and our national identity held by a famous actor and writer called Dan Puric, in the Historic Centre ( Liberty Square ). In the opening Brio Sonores band will play. 17:30 18:00 After the conference we recommend moving the groups on different locations: Groups 1-6 will go on 22 December street and groups 7 12 will go on Gheorghe Șincai street. 18:00-19:00 Behind the Lascăr Pană Sports Hall ( on the rugby field): catering distribution and time for dinner. 19:00-20:00 At the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, with all the participants: Evening prayer, songs of the Reunion from the Booklet, speeches, messages, The presentation of the delegacies from Romania. 20:00-22:00 On the stage near the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral: A show of pop music. The participants will attend a concert with the most gifted Romanian artists: Paula Seling, the Romanian representative of the Eurovision contest, and Bratiș Bogdan with his band, who participated to the X-Factor contest. 22:00 Moving on to the accommodation: all the participants arrive at the accommodation places by their own buses or on foot, and they have a rest. 3

4 Friday 5 th September 07:00-08:00 At the canteens, restaurants, or host families: Breakfast (the young people from abroad have breakfast at the restaurant of the hotel) 08:30-09:45 At the 12 parish churches from Baia Mare: - the Holy Mass (all the young people will be involved in singing and praying) for the Hymns, we will sing 2 songs from the Reunion Booklet. Starting from the text (John 6:54) He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, the priest announces the topic of discussion to the groups: The young people in the light of the Reverential Eucharistic Year 9:45-10:00 10:00-11:30 Going to the 12 schools, gathering into small groups (10-15 people) and discussions - Debates there are kept the same small groups as on Thursday - discussions on the topic of the day. 11:30-12:30 In the classrooms: Lunch (catering) 12:30-13:30 Moving on: The participants go to the locations of the conferences or visits (According to the schedule, on groups divided from 1 to 12 ). Those of you who have to travel on longer distances can go by your own bus or by the local URBIS buses (no ticket needed for the participants at the Reunion, as the Reunion tag replaces the tickets). 13:30 15:00 ALL GROUPS TAKE PARTTO THE CONFERENCE Pintea Viteazul and the courage to oppose, in the Historic Centre of the Town on The Liberty Square The conference will be held by Phd. Ioan Marchiș and Phd. Teodor Ardelean. In the opening, a few representative singers of a popular Romanian style called doină 15:00-16:30 Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 at the Art Museum and the History Museum, The art and history of Baia Mare We recommend that: Groups 1,2,3 should start the visits with the Art Museum We recommend that: Groups 4,5,6 should start the visits with the History Museum 15:00-16:30 Groups 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 - in the Old Town Liberty Square, visits: Maramureş a treasure of Romanian ethnography and spirituality 4

5 We recommend that: Groups 7,8,9 should start the visits with the Ethnographic Pavilion We recommend that: Groups 10,11,12 should start the visits with the Village Museum 17:00-18:00 In the Queen Mary Park catering distribution and time for dinner Groups 1, 2, 3: enter the gate A (Red Valley street, nr. 25) Groups 4, 5,6 : enter the gate B (Red Valley street, nr 75) Groups 7,8, 9 : enter the gate C (Petöfi Şandor street the area of the Education Inspectorate) Groups 10,11,12 : enter the gate D (Petöfi Şandor street the Zoo area) 18:00-19:00 The groups will come one after another, on the main alley of the Queen Mary Park THE JOY OF FAITH PROCESSION The procession is organized on the following route: The Historic Centre of the Town the City Hall Unirii Avenue Holy Trinity Cathedral 19:00-20:00 At the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral Evening prayer, songs of the Reunion from the Booklet, the word of His Eminence, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church (if we are honoured with His Eminence s participation) 20:00-22:00 On the stage near the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral: A show of Romanian folkloric music held by young artists of the National Group Transylvania. The concert will be presented by Pop Marius Ciprian. 22:30-23:00 Going to the accommodation: all the participants arrive at the accommodation places by their own buses or on foot, and they have a rest. Saturday 6 th September 07:00-07:40 At the canteens, restaurants, or host families: Breakfast (the young people from abroad have breakfast at the restaurant of the hotel) 07:40-08:00 At the hostels, hotels, or host families: Room check-out, Goodbyes, return the room keys, take your luggage to the buses 08:30-10:00 At the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral The HOLY MASS the conclusion of the Reunion 5

6 RO - Page 67: Advices for the participants For the Reunion days we advise that you bring a small back pack, which should contain: a thin rain coat or small umbrella, a water bottle, the map and Reunion notebook, most of all you should bring faith and joy! The journey to Baia Mare and home can be a "pilgrimage of joy", a time for knowledge and catehism, of learning and song. Use the travel time to practice the Reunion songs. The map, notebook and tag must be with you at all times during the Reunion. The tag is your main access ID, you will be able to enter: the hostel, canteens, catering, schools, museums, means of transportation, etc. The T-shirt must be worn by all participants; exceptions are those who will be wearing traditional costumes and priests - who will be in their attire. The reunion is made of 12 prayer groups which belong to 12 individual parishes from Baia Mare (between 200 and 400 participants for each one). Always pay attention to the group that you belong to. The Reunion joins 39 hosting parishes - many of them are close to Baia Mare (offering 2000 accommodations at personal family homes for overnight stay). These are families of Christians, they will receive you warmly, they are usual people and in some cases elders. Repay their hospitality with smiles, affection and Christian fraternity. BE CAUTIOUS: - do not leave your valuables in your dorm rooms (money, jewelry, mobile phones or small devices) - report the people who might have bad intentions and who are not real participants in the Reunion (not wearing the tag and t-shirt). - Attention to food brought from home or bought in public places - doubtful of the validity! - Drink enough water to prevent health problems (tap water is drinkable in Baia Mare and quality). - For any problems ask in advance: please contact a volunteer, (the volunteers will be wearing red shirts), you can also tell your parish priest You can also call this number if you cannot find a volunteer or your priest: or 112 Emergency number (only if the situation is dire). 6

7 INVITATION - to the families hosting young Host families are invited to attend the public meeting times (conferences, visiting museums, prayer at the Cathedral, artistic evening program) The young participants are to remind their hosting families of these events. MOBILE PHONES Please set cell phones on the regime "silent" from Wednesday evening to Saturday - after the meeting. PHOTO It is recommended to take as many good photos as you can, you should also publish them in the local press, school magazine, or just post them on facebook, along with nice comments. Traditional COSTUMES It is an honor for you and a tribute to our ancestors to wear the traditional costume whether you are from the city or village. These suits talk about our identity. We are pleased that such meeting is completed and decorated. It would be nice if you could wear the costumes all day especially on Thursday and Friday or at least after 12 noon (after lunch). If you want to wear your clothes after lunch, we advise that you keep them in your transportation busses for safety. Liturgical rites and sacraments (Holy Masses) Mass Participation requires believers to share the body and blood of the Lord. It is a great opportunity for you to share such a Liturgy - Orthodox Youth. On Thursday and Friday in every church from Baia Mare priests will confess in the first part of the Mass, beginning at 08:00 and on Saturday the young can confess only at the Cathedral. (Young people, who confess, should take their breakfast to go.) We recommend the "Songs of the Divine Liturgy - psaltic after Nicolae Lungu". Sing all with 7

8 enthusiasm, homophone (one voice)! Young artists who are in the church among you ought to sing the Hymn or the end of the Divine Liturgy, 2-3 appropriate songs. PROCESSION "Joy of Faith" on Friday is a public testimony that you do with dignity and joy. Discipline is very important while traveling. Use only a lane in rows of 5 people each. The priests will be with the young leading them. Roundup is done in the park "Queen Mary" at 5:50 p.m. On Thursday between 13:30 and 15:00, at the " Sf. Nicolae" (06) church, you will be able to meet with a representative of the Taize community in France (brother James), here, you will be able to learn more about the opportunities for young Romanian Orthodox Christians to become confessors of their faith in Europe. point "I" POINT "I" (information) located near the cathedral - see map: Here you can get some information about meetings, about Baia Mare, Maramureș. If you find important items, please take them to the point "I" If you have lost important items you likely to find them also at the If you are hungry, you may find food portions - supplement at the point "I" (after 20:00). If you are thirsty, you can find water at point "I". If you have something on your mind at point "I" you will find someone who can make you smile. If you happen to find yourself in the position to need first aid, please feel free to seek assistance with our Red Cross volunteers (situated in the Cathedral courtyard - see map). VOLUNTEERING The budget of this project does not ensure payment for the people involved from the Diocese, City Hall or the young. Therefore, please support volunteering (our young volunteers will be wearing red t-shirts). 8

9 We expect all participants to be environmentally friendly. We expect that you will maintain cleanliness in all places where you will conduct your activities. Always use the garbage bags that will be at your disposal, especially after lunch and dinner. BUSES: During the Reunion of the Orthodox Young People, buses can park in places marked on the map that everyone is provided with. In rural areas, please ask the local priest to guide you to a good location to park. We advise those who travel by car to always have on display on their car windscreen, visible to the outside, the Reunion notebook and a piece of paper with their telephone number. The local authorities are fully supporting this event, and will cooperate on any situation. TIPS FOR PRIESTS: - be always close to the young people you lead. Held: the Reverend (distinctions not required) Animate journey as it should: with joy, with singing, with catechetical dialogue. To serve in the Holy Mass: On Thursday and Friday in the parish you are assigned to (nr. 1-12) On Saturday - in the OFF area of the Cathedral - only with the epitrachelion (possibly to be honored with the presence of His Eminence Patriarch). AFTER THE MEETING: write down your thoughts and impressions about this gathering or about the topics discussed and send them to the following address: reuniunebm@gmail.com until September 20. Do not forget to write your name and you are part of the Diocese. The best reviews will be published in a special edition of our diocesan journal: "The Voice of Orthodox Youth". Father Bălan Milan Diocesan Adviser of Theological education sector Diocese of Maramures and Satu Mare, in charge of the project 9

10 RO - Page 1: The Reunion of the Orthodox Youth acknowledgement of the joy of faith We bless and we appreciate the organisation of the Reunion of the Orthodox Youth, an outstanding event not only of communion and Christian joy, but also of acknowledging the personal Christian identity. The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has appreciated and approved this initiative which the Bishopric of Maramureş and Sătmar has taken up in partnership with the Municipality of Baia Mare city. The first National Reunion of the Orthodox Youth with representants not only from all the dioceses in the country and from diaspora, but also from the Orthodox Sister Churches can mark a significant moment of sharing the joys of the Christian Orthodox faith lived by the young people today, despite many problems. For the nowadays society, marked by strong tendencies of the secularization phenomenon, with the loss of the sacred landmarks of the existence, acknowledging the values of the faith sprung from the life experience of the Church is crucial. Moreover, the National Reunion of the Orthodox Youth is a misionary event which reflects their desire to seek and share the joys of the faith in Lord Jesus, through common prayers, dialogue, coming to know each-other, friendship and misionary vocation. Such reunions are organised all over the world, but it is for the first time when the Orthodox young people from Romania take part in a reunion of great width. This year, the event takes place under the light of the Reverential Eucharistic Year and the year when we commemorate the Saint Martyrs Brancoveni saints who are holy icons of the self-sacrificial love for their faith and people. Therefore, we want the participation of the young Orthodox people at this event to be protected by the Saint Martyrs Brancoveni. Throughout history, the Romanian Orthodox Church has constantly contributed to the maintainance of the Romanian people s unity and identity, especially at times of ordeal. At present moments, when the Romanian people has the greatest diaspora in its history, the Romanian Orthodox Church is joyous when She is helped by her young people in Her efforts to promote the Christian life of the Romanian communities, to propagate the values of the Romanian spirituality and cultural tradition. For you, the young people from Romania and from the Romanian diaspora, the models for becoming and for a good Christian life are, first of all, Jesus Christ and His Saints, who confessed and lived entirely the faith of the Church in their life and who managed to overcome, through their wisdom and humbleness, the selfish passions, the ordeals of life and their own weaknesses. Trusting in the help of God and of His Saints, we welcome you, dear young people, with the advice to grow forever in faith and good deeds, increasing your love for God and for your neighbour, at any time and any place. 10

11 We wish all the organizers and all the participants to this great Reunion of the Orthodox Youth to live many happy and beautiful years, with good health and redemption, peace and joy, always growing in good deeds, to the glory of God and the wellfare of the people! With fatherly love into Christ, blessings and great esteem, DANIEL The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church RO - Page 3: The National Reunion of the Orthodox Youth brings light and blessing to the city of Baia Mare Last year, the city of Baia Mare hosted, a premiere for the north-west part of Romania, the first edition of the Reunion of the Orthodox Youth, attended by over 1,000 young people from arround the country. The religious manifestation had a strong impact, and its success has encouraged the organizers, the Orthodox Bishopric of Maramureş and Sătmar and the City of Baia Mare, to organize a new manifestation, a wider one, at a national level. Three thousand five hundred young people from arround the country and from abroad are attending the Reunion organised this year in our city, having, thus, the possibility also to discover the cutural identity and traditions of Maramureş. Such manifestations are more than welcome, in the context of the moral crisis which has been spreading in the world, our country included, in the past few years. The spiritual meetings are vital for both soul and mind, for the harmonious development of the nowadays young generation. Together with the common prayers and the cultural manifestations, the Procession accros the streets of the city represents, maybe, the most outstanding point of the Reunion s programme. Thousands of beautiful and pure young people march proudly in front of the entire world, confessing their Christian Orthodox faith. The National Reunion of the Orthodox Youth brings light and blessing to the city of Baia Mare and it gives a powerful signal to the entire world: through faith and acknowledgement we can generate the hope for a brighter and purer future for us and the generations that are to come. This is because we have the moral obligation to design a better world for our children and for those who are to be born after them. The National Reunion of the Orthodox Youth is a manifestation where the Christian values are brought again to the attention of the public opinion, where, under the guidance of the priests, we see the good path and we joyfully receive the word of God, which we keep in our souls to guide us in life. At the same time, we have the occasion to show our pride of being Romanians, and our pride of being Orthodox, sharing this joy with the entire world. Dear participants at the National Reunion of the Orthodox Youth, I 11

12 welcome you in the city of Baia Mare where, I assure you of it, you will feel yourselves among good friends throughout your stay here. That is because, although we do not know personally each other, we are connected by our faith and the joy of being Orthodox Christians. It is an honour for me that our city is hosting such an important manifestation and surely this is not a singular initiative. The city of Baia Mare supports important initiatives and projects at national level, which generate honour and pride, which bring prestige to our country which we all love so much. With esteem, Cătălin Cherecheş - Mayor of the City of Baia Mare RO - Page 4: Young Christians can change the world I write down these thoughts on the occasion of the Orthodox Youth Reunion in Baia Mare. This meeting is blessed and organized by the the Diocese of Maramureș and Satu Mare with the support of Baia Mare s City Hall. Romania's future, the future of Europe and the future of the world depends on how the younger generation is formed. Wise Solomon advises us to train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22: 6). One of the great Father Confessors of the country, who was particularly concerned about young people, Father Arsenie Papacioc, would obstinately repeat a saying: If youth knew and old age could! And being so, we realize how important it is to educate young people who have power to work and intelligence. By educating and training them, we give to the future people of honour. Ignoring this obligation of ours, the grown-ups, we do not fulfill our duty. Particularly, there are three institutions that are responsible for the training of young people: family, church and school. And I couldn t say that in this respect, things are going well. Therefore it is salutary the initiative from Baia Mare to organize Orthodox Youth Reunion. The young are given the possibility to accumulate more from a spiritual point of view, to get to know each other and light up some of the burdens of others. If negative examples, follies and temptations are many at the beginning of the centurty and the millenium, neither the positive examples lack. We want young people to understand that the body and money are not everything, but there are spiritual values that are worth taken into account because they are eternal. They are at the age of pursuit, accumulation and clean and selfless love. We cannot ask young people to behave like elders but they should pay attention to an advise that comes from wise Solomon: Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will 12

13 bring you to judgment for all these things. (Ecclesiastes 11.9). We bless the young, and to those who are in charge of this event we ensure them that the Messiah's word will always be true: Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5, 19). ANDREI Archbishop of Vad, Feleac and Cluj Metropolitan of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj RO - Page 5: Archbishop Justinian s message for young participants JUSTINIAN Archbishop of Maramureș and Satu Mare My beloved young ones, I want to start by asking you a few questions that everyone should reflect on: Who am I?, Where do I come from?, Where shall I go?, What is the end of my existence?.these are essential questions for the existence of each and every of us. This question: Who am I? is addressed to everyone. The answer is that you are the buds, you are the offshoots. That is what I told the people on the Feast of the Assumption because we have a nation with a great youth which is extremely vigorous, healthy, clever, faithful, pious and patriot. This is the Romanian Orthodox Youth. You are now the offshoots, the buds, the beginners of life. Tomorrow you will be the most beautiful groves of the Romanian nation and the day after tomorrow you will become the most beautiful old forests from the Romanian country. The wonderful old forests of Romania will be formed of yourselves, your generation. That is why this generation has a great and blessed chance along with the power to make our country a happy and a blessed country. For this I pray God to bless you with many years, at least how many He gave me, which is ninety-three. I wish you many years, but not only many years, also years with outstanding achievements. At the same time, I want to confess that in front of you I am as in front of a confessor because, in fact, each of you is a future confessor. This doesn t mean that you will definitely become a minister of the church, but you are people that will know how to keep your heart clean and your spirit right and wise. For this reason, I strongly believe that in the near future this quality that you have from young will last for years as you are the generation of the third millennium. 13

14 Each person takes part in the Universe, in the vegetal and animal world from which we belong. In our body we have what exists in all the vegetation and animal world. However, we have something more. God formed us from the dust of ground, but gave us something more which is immortal spirit. This belongs only to humans; nobody else has it in Universe, being scientifically proved that there isn t in the Universe, the space which surrounds us, another being like the human being which has the body made of earth, matter and a life given by God and a soul which also comes from God. Therefore, man consists of three elements: body, life and immortal spirit. My dear young people, this is the great gift. Imagine how life would have been if Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior hadn t come and we would have been left only with the body, the matter and life. Body, matter and also life fade away. But this was not God s will. God wanted us to live forever as the Holy Scripture illustrates this very powerful. In Ecclesiastes it is so clearly mentioned: Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecc.12,7). So, we have these two elements. Hence, we have the right to be happy. So they say: Rejoice always. (1 Thessalonians 5,16). It is said always be joyful because if we didn t have an immortal spirit we would have nothing to rejoice. Joy, happiness, all these qualities, creation, science are the result of the soul which we received from God. It was so nicely emphasized by our patriarch Daniel at a Clergy Conference where he asked the priests to present a topic for the next meeting. All clergy in the conference has struggled to find the right topic for a few time. Well, they failed to find a suitable topic to present to the Beatitude Daniel. After a while, His Eminence Daniel, with an angelic smile, looked at them and said: I ll tell you the topic. It s The Joy of Being a Christian. This is the most appealing topic you should reflect on. Were you not a Christian, why to rejoice? What joy would it be if you were not a Christian? Nicholas Steinhardt was baptized in prison with a drop of water. But his confession after he was baptized was always this: I feel human, I feel happy, I feel the happiest. I have been a Jew for years, but I didn t know what happiness was. Since I was baptized by an Orthodox monk, I have been full of joy. I wish to thank His Eminence Justin Sigheteanul, Mayor Cătălin Cherecheș and all who took care that we have this sacred Reunion in Baia Mare. This meeting will make history as one of the most beautiful moments of the Church History and Baia Mare. And that is because you, the young refresh, sanctify and bless the atmosphere in Baia Mare. Therefore, on your behalf, I thank once again God, Eminence Justin Sigheteanul, mister mayor but at the same time I thank you all who replied the invitation to be with us. 14

15 RO - Page 7: FAITH, FIDELITY AND FRIENDSHIP, A YOUNG CHRISTIAN VIRTUES The second Orthodox Youth Reunion, this time at a national level with international participation, hosted in Baia Mare and organized by the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Maramureș and Satu Mare in partnership with the Municipality of Baia Mare, is a cultural act and a confession of faith that gives us hope. The Reunion, which took place last year, gathered the Orthodox youth from Transylvania and was a great success, bringing much light and joy, communion and friendship, participants who confessed their enthusiasm and happiness in impressions published in "The Voice of Our Church " journal, that had a special edition published especially for this event. It was a mutual enrichment and deepening of faith that we confess by participating to all those activities and moments of culture, faith and prayer in which the bright, beautiful and faithful young gave each other joy, knowledge and friendship, but they gave especially the city and society 'testimony and the joy of being Christian "in the procession to the Cathedral Episcopal Youth Park" Holy Trinity ". This year Reunion, which has the blessing of His Most Blessed Patriarch Daniel and the approval of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, is a nice start, which we hope will continue and will bring much benefit youth. It takes place in the light Anniversary Year of the Eucharist (the Holy Confession and Holy Communion) and the Memorial Year of Holy Brâncoveni Martyrs in the Romanian Orthodox Church and and the free and responsible Christian expression shows that our youth is a pure one, cultvated, enlightened and anchored in the sacred traditions of a nation of confessors of Christ and the saints who are both role models and icons of worship. Romania can be considered the "Garden of the Holy Virgin". Maramureș is a princely land blessed and decorated with wooden churches whose steeples reach the sky and people whose faithful prayers and labors enjoy God Who always responds them with kindness and parental blessing. We welcome you dear young people with as much love, peace and joy as you can carry in your hearts, bringing it as a gift to Maramureș. By gathering in Baia Mare you increase the light, strenghten the faith and speak about the places you come from and the Christian atmosphere you live in. We give to you for three days our clean, beautiful, civilised and Christian city - Baia Mare and we urge you to fill it with beauties, faith, truth, courage and Romanian dignities. Give a signal from here, the land of the free Dacians and Romanians and Romanian Christian princes, to the pastors of souls and parishioners, leaders and those who I lead, that you want to lift and carry the country on your shoulders, to assume 15

16 its future. You fear not because you have Christ as a Friend, Saviour and Helper. Also mention that Romania is and will remain thanks to you a Christian country and will last in history so. It will give in the next centuries heroes, confessors, enlightened Romanians, Christian scholars and most of all saints. This country will be whole as you have it in your heart and as whole and true as is your faith that you confess with fidelity and constancy. I will end my message with a quote of Nicolae Steinhardt (Father Nicholas from Rohia monastry) about fidelity. "Among the virtues, fidelity (or faithfulness how the Romanian people and writers commonly name it) is less mentioned than others. A ceremonial swearing or inner faith of a man, a cause, a principle, an idea means to commit you to be loyal and devoted and always ready to help you. Fidelity involves a cordial and personal relation: a steadiness, an immutability, warmth. You look absolutely reliable in all circumstances, for better or worse, in times of doubt or in dangerous situations, in a swamp and debris when moments of despair appear. If that easy-going person, who you undoubtfuly promised faith does not believe in himself or the cause he is fighting for (or the way of life and thinking that is properly his), however, may believe in you. At that times you must prefer the courage, strenghth, endurace, perseverence, liveliness, which have left him, to become his guide, pillar of wisdom, rod, fortified city, light and guardian angel." Quote Nicholas Steindhardt - "About fidelity, or old word for the young" from the Polyphonic Monologue volume. May God bless your way, Christ strengthen you in the path of truth and The Holy Spirit sanctify your life and faith! IUSTIN HODEA SIGHETEANUL Vicar - Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Maramureș and Satu Mare 16

17 RO - Page 9: After 2013 REUNION... I have left the country for 10 years being part of the Romanian migrants waves working abroad for a better life...but I only found here comfort and not ENLIGHTEMENT. All my teens I lived in chaos, deep inner struggle caused by the contradiction between what I saw at the school and in the society in which I develop, and what my parents tried to send me. I needed a concrete example, vivid, close to me, to develop my faith planted in me by my mother (...) and I wanted from the bottom of my heart to meet young orthodox practitioners, with whom I could share my faith, fears, struggles, people who could make me feel normal and not a freak with high ideals. This Reunion was one of the most beautiful and touching moments that I had lived. To meet people at your age that see life as you see it, to feel and to be Romanians and to have the same faith as you do... it's something I've wanted all my life! This Reunion was for me a new starting point. It filled my soul with joy, it gave me courage in my struggles with temptations. It made me realize that I was a Romanian orthodox from Maramureș and that I felt different from the youth that dwells here were I developed myself for about 10 years. His Most Blessed Justin strenghtened me through his speech my desire to return home quickly, and to attend to our spiritual revolution. I realized more than ever that we are the future. And yes, we need great events like these, in which we gather so many, to understand that life is not as on TV. The media manipulates our minds making us believe that life is a mess, that youth means debauchery and that all young people are totally lost, lying around pubs. Life can and should be lived beautifully and nothing is more important than the preservation of innocence, especially when young. We need such events in order to take courage. We need courage and encouragement to survive the troubled seas, so please do everything possible so that this meeting will never perish. To sum up, I will tell you what I enjoyed the most and what filled me with excitement the most during these three days: the prayer spoken aloud and togheter; the Anthem sung together... made me shed tears; the procession which made us feel deeply the joy of being Christian. Again, thank you for your organization and for the love we have received. May God bless you all and give you more power from now on. And... pray for us, so that God will help us become "apostles". Florina Hoza, 23 years old - student Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Aéronautiques et Construction Automobile Paris 17

18 RO - Page 10: - Why "Reunion"? The Reunion is a necessity due to the fact that the world has reached a state of collective degradation and mainly an inner one as it hasn t been before. This state is improper for man - who was created as an honest, balanced and whole being. We are witnessing the suppression of the Romanian soul in different ways and people are embarrassed to assert their identity and there is the risk of losing it. Under these circumstances, the National Reunion of Orthodox Young People can be a comforting act of affirmation and strength. The Church only fulfills its mission: by leading people to salvation, it keeps awake the conscience of all believers (maybe that's why it became inconvenient). This is the moment when the younger generation should understand deep messages: - Who are we?... Not everything is lost...; we may lose all material patrimony but the soul remains alive...; we are living different kind of persecutions, more subtle than those of the first Christian centuries; Is it worth to win the entire world if you lose your soul?(and by extension I refer to the Romanian spirituality and our culture). The first stage of recovering from the degradation state is awakening: - Who am I now? - How was "my father's house" before? - What should I do? After all, we, people of the Church strive to keep the Romanian soul, to strengthen hopes and heal the wounds of transition. "Do not fear those who kill the body but the soul cannot lose it"... there is a constant struggle and even if we think of peace and freedom, the war between good and evil is actually more violent than ever. Faith is related to the freedom represented by libertinism. It's hard to be strong, to walk over the water when the waves are too high, but every effort is futile if we are to fulfill the mission of the Church. Church People... are who we are with virtues and human weaknesses - but we are devoted to Faith and Our Country. Sometimes we are wrong: perhaps we build too large churches or too small... compared with cathedrals called "shopping center" or "shopping malls". We teach religion in school but it is insufficient related to dozens of hours of antitheism classes that all waves propagate. But now we want to teach young people to gather, to make common cause with their identity this is a small but important gesture. "Our identity pitcher" - as we called it last year keeps the most precious values that define us as a nation and as individuals. You the Romanian young people are the clay and water you fill the pitcher with so what do you put in it? This exercise of cultural and religious Romanian solidarity has to be experienced. This experience is called: The National Reunion of Orthodox Young People. This Anniversary year of the Holy Eucharist and Commemoration of the Holy Brâncoveni were organized activities related to these topics and beautiful events took place all over the country but now we are responsible for an event with a different character - a special program. A meeting of the young people for a few hours during the mass or a conference would not suffice, because communication is one-way and no matter how 18

19 interesting the mass is, it does not provide them a dialogue. Christians of all ages need "The conversation on the way to Emmaus". "Reunion" - over the course of 3-4 days creates favorable circumstances for discussions, makes the young people from different parts of the country get to know each other and join what they have in common: faith, culture, nationality... etc. During the meeting, people share joy, friendship, music, dance, discover the city, museums, traditional costumes, find out cultural and spiritual values of Orthodoxy... and especially self-discovery There are few participants, therefore we cannot call it a "mass meeting" but a national meeting with a special character - every diocese of the country and parishes in the northwest of Transylvania has limited their participation to young people- depending on the capacity of a bus. Besides according to infrastructure and the experience we have from last year, we could not exceed the number of 3500 participants. Moments are unique: the journey together - or the pilgrimage where you have the opportunity to share thoughts and feelings with those who travel with you to the same destination and have the same purpose - in this case "where the map is hooked". The debates - these are times when everyone can express their knowledge or thoughts, especially their identity starting from this simple question: - Who am I? ; visiting museums, public conferences, procession, prayers, eating together, singing together... are simple things that produce natural joy of a cultural union of faith and feeling. We have a valuable potential, what we need is to organize ourselves a little in order to highlight it. - Why "The National Reunion of Orthodox Young People" at Baia Mare? - Because we have a good precedent: the 2013 Regional Meeting that was held perfectly and moved hearts. At that time the young participants tearfully testified: We are proud of coming from Transylvania, we are followers of our holy princes and saints, we have a priceless Christian culture... (impressions, stories, essays, testimonies were published in The Voice of Orthodox youth journal. Along with the young representatives from all over the country we would be happy to repeat and repeat such experiences. We are also pleased and honored that the Holy Synod approved confidently the first national meeting to take place in our city, and that we have the Municipality as official Partner supporter of the conference. In 2015, The National Reunion will be at Cluj and it is possible that the National Reunion of Orthodox Young People will become a constant statutory youth event in Romania. Now, we are at Baia Mare - the capital of Orthodox youth this year and as a person in charge of the educational sector, I thank you all for the involvement and youth enthusiasm that you bring and bless our city. Father. Bălan Milan Diocesan Adviser of Theological education sector Diocese of Maramures and Satu Mare, in charge of the project 19

20 RO - Page 12: Historical files of Maramureș An apparently isolated province due to its geographical coordinates, place of Romanian traditional civilizations as well as of ethnic interferences, Maramures has played a major role in, but not limited to, the history of Romania. Constituted from the former "countries" of Maramures, Chioar, Lapus, and Codru, the nowadays Maramures has an ancient history, as proven by the archaeological researches that have discovered proof that the territory has been populated since the Paleolithic, the presence of humans in this part of the country being confirmed as well for the next historical periods. The first historical record of the county dates back to 1199, when it is referenced a hunting expedition in the woods of Maramures, attended by the Hungarian King Emeric. From a political and administrative perspective, the county of Maramures has been organized in voivodeships, their evolution being interrupted by the Hungarian conquerers. The locals' resistence to the Hungarian offensive is a historically established fact. The most famous case is that of Bogdan of Cuhea, named "former voivod" and "disloyal" in Hungarian documents dating from Bogdan of Cuhea is the one who, in 1359, crosses the mountains and contributes to the formation of the medieval state of Moldavia, fact that grants him a special place in the Romanian historical tradition. "The country of Maramures" (expression first identified in a document from 1299) is noticeable because, even after the Hungarian conquest and the introduction of the specific medieval institutions, manages to maintain a local autonomy, and the role of the Romanian boyars is well documented. In 1391, Peri Monastery is offered the title of stavropighia, and the hegumen receives cvasi-episcopale attributions. Several religious books are translated into Romanian at Peri Monastery. For the next centuries, Maramures, Chioar and Lapus belong either to the princedom of Transylvania or to Hungary. An important moment is the Union realized by Michael the Brave ( ), when a great part of the area, including the Borough of Chioar, came under his dominion. The heroic outlaws lead by Grigore Pintea the Brave are remebered for their acts. Pintea the Brave was killed at the gates of Baia Mare (August 12th, 1703), but he continued to be a part of the local traditions. During the two World Wars, Maramures was occupying just a third of its actual surface, the county seat was Sighet, while the Gutai Mountains and the city of Baia Mare were part of Satu Mare county. In 1950, the organization of Romania follows the Soviet model, therefore counties 20

21 are replaced by regions, and the Maramures region encompasses territories belonging to Satu Mare and Salaj counties. In 1968, counties are reintorduced as form of organization, and the county of Maramures in its actual structure is formed by including in its structures the city of Baia Mare, and localities from Lapus, Chioar, and Salaj. Therefore, the term "Maramures" expresses a new administrative reality, and Baia Mare becomes the county seat. The city is historically attested in 1329, and has undergone a spectacular evolution, both from a demographical ( inhabitants in 1930, approx today) and economical perspective. Baia Mare has become a major urban center in the North-West part of the country. Until 1989, the mining industry, as well as the chemical and the metallurgical industries were the most important parts of the county's economy. Nowadays, the traditional activities of the area have been replaced by those created by the democratic form of government, and by the integration of Romania into the European Union. The county of Maramures is an adminstrative structure that shows how traditions and modernity can co-exist in a perfect balance. Culture and traditions The people of Maramures have kept their traditions alive from immemorial times. Life in the villages of Maramures is organized according to the agricultural works and to the Christian celebrations. The first part of the year is defined by the multitude of New Year and Epiphany traditions. The spring is dedicated to celebrating the first villager that plows his field and the Easter. During the summer, there are mowing celebrations, and the people follow the traditions of St. John's Day and of Saint Mary. In the autumn, while celebrating the harvest, the locals gather at their traditional dances, where, in the rythm of the music played by local instrumentists, young men and girls dance together, while the older ones sip a glass of traditional homemade drink called "palinca". This stops at the beginning of the Christmas fast, when Christmas preparations begin. Christmas is one of the most beautiful holidays, and the valleys of the county are enriched by the sound of traditional carols. The Christian holidays, celebrated with fast and prayer, mix with popular rituals and beliefs such as: rituals that favor meeting one's soul mate, rituals that chase away evil spirits, rituals for fine crops or for a lasting marriage. These rituals create a miraculous and fascinating world, and combined with dance, music and joy offer an unforgettable experience for guests arriving from all over the world. Except for the rural celebrations, modern and cultural events have become regular in Maramures. In June 2009, the third edition of the Theatre Workshop Festival was held in Baia Mare. Also, different localities host painting, sculpture or photography camps. 21

22 A multitude of museums exist in the county of Maramures, especially in and nearby Baia Mare, the county seat, and Sighetu Marmatiei, the former county seat. The Mine Flowers Museum of Baia Mare hosts a spectacular mineral collection, some unique in the world. In Baia Mare and in Sighet are museums dedicated to the traditional architecture. If you are interested in the traditional local occupations, in traditional furniture or pottery, you should visit the ethnographic museums of Baia Mare and Sighet. You can learn more about the history of Baia Mare and nearby localities by visiting the History & Archaeology Museum of Baia Mare, and you can learn more about the city's artistic heritage by visiting the Art Museum. In Sighetu Marmatiei, a famous political prison has been turned into the Museum of Arrested Thought, a museum that comemorates the victims of the communist regime. Also, the house in which Elie Wiesel, the Nobel laureate for Peace, was born, has been turned into Elie Wiesel Memorial House and a museum of Jewish culture. Do not expect to find such institutions in the big cities only, as in Dragomiresti, for example, one can visit a museum dedicated to the Romanian peasent woman, and in Ieud, the Ples family has turned an old wooden house into a hemp museum. Therefore, memorial houses as well as various cultural institutions are frequently encounterd in Maramures. RO - Page 17: Local Attractions Maramures Monasteries Barsana Monastery (Barsana, Maramures County) Dragomiresti Monastery (Dragomiresti, Maramures County) Habra Monastery (near Baia Mare, Maramures County) The Exaltation of the Holy Cross Monastery (Dumbrava, Maramures County) Moisei Monastery (Moisei, Maramures County) The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Monastery (Lapus Archpriestship, Maramures County) Rohia Monastery (Rohia, Targul Lapus, Maramures County) Rohita Monastery (Boiereni, Jud. maramures) The Holy Trinity Monastery (Suciu de Sus - Breaza, Maramures County) Saint Ilie Monastery (Dealu Mare, Maramures County) Saint Joseph the Confessor (Sapanta, Maramures County) Saint Nicholas Monastery (Baia Borsa, Maramures County) Saints Constantine and Helen Monastery (Budesti, Maramures County) The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist Skete (Izvoarele Mountain Resort, Maramures County) The Sas Valley Skete (Botiza, Maramures County) 22