His Eminence Father Andrei, Archbishop of Vad, Feleac and Cluj and Metropolitan of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj, participated on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, in the military and religious ceremony organized in Cluj-Napoca on the occasion of the Romanian Gendarmerie Day and the 174th anniversary of its establishment Romanian Gendarmerie.
The event took place on the esplanade in front of the “Casino” Urban Culture Center, located in the “Simion Bărnutiu” Central Park in Cluj-Napoca, in the presence of military and civilian officials, as well as representatives from the structures subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Romanian Gendarmerie.
On this occasion, His Eminence Father Archbishop and Metropolitan Andrei officiated a Te Deum service and addressed those present with a word of instruction about the importance of peace and bodily safety. Starting from the words of the Holy Apostle Paul in the second Epistle to Timothy, chapter 2, the hierarch urged the gendarmes to be good soldiers of Christ, to train themselves on the path of goodness, to implement Christian virtues and to acquire them.
Also, the Father Metropolitan awarded the “Saint Hierarch Pahomie de la Gledin” Order to Colonel Claudiu Fechete, first deputy chief inspector of the Cluj County Gendarmerie Inspectorate (IJJ Cluj).
During the event, they took the floor and emphasized the historical importance of the day: the first deputy chief inspector of IJJ Cluj – colonel Claudiu Fechete, the prefect of Cluj county – Irina Munteanu, the vice-president of the Cluj County Council – István-Valentin Vákár and the mayor of Cluj-Napoca – Emil Boc.
The honor guard made up of Cluj gendarmes was present at the event, along with the Military Music of the 81st Mechanized Brigade “General Grigore Bălan” from Bistrița, conductor platoon leader-adjutant Bogdan Bejinaru.
Between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., also in the Central Park, the people of Cluj could visit the presentation stands of the Romanian Gendarmerie, where they could see more materials for ensuring and restoring public order, equipment and materials used by the mountain gendarmes, but also car technique and exercises with service dogs.
On Tuesday, April 2, between 11:00-14:30, at the headquarters of the Cluj County Gendarmerie Inspectorate, located on Năvodari street, the “Open Doors Day” event took place, being dedicated to children and teenagers.
Short history
Romanian Gendarmerie Day is celebrated annually on April 3, commemorating the date on which, in 1850, Grigore Alexandru Ghica, lord of Moldavia (1849-1853), approved the decision of the Public Divan, signing the act establishing the gendarmerie: “Legislation for the reform of the Corps servants in the gendarmerie”, according to the official website of the Romanian Gendarmerie.
The official birth certificate of the Romanian Gendarmerie in Transylvania is Royal Decree no. 444 of January 29, 1919, by which the 4th Gendarmerie Brigade and the 7th, 8th and 9th Gendarmerie Regiments under it were established, with the area of responsibility in Transylvania. Since this year, January 29 has been declared as “Cluj County Gendarmerie Inspectorate Day”, being published in the Official Gazette no. 57/22.01.2024.
The Romanian Gendarmerie, an institution responsible for maintaining and restoring public order and national security, has as its spiritual protectors the Saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel, celebrated every year on November 8.
More photos HERE
Author: Darius Echim / Metropolis of Cluj
Photo credit: Darius Echim and Dragoș Olteanu
Tags: years establishment Romanian Gendarmerie celebrated ClujNapoca
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