Epiphany with Romanian traditions and hopes in Stockholm

Capital of Sweden was for the first time, on January 6, 2010, the seat of a romanian traditional event rise of Epiphany, in which Bishop of Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of Northern Europe, His Grace Macarios, threw a cross in the Baltic Sea water, as a sign of blessing.

As a sign of respect for Romanian traditions, two brave men, Felix Bozian- 37 years, currently the 2 years in Sweden and Radu Cristian Rusu, (8 years of living in Scandinavia), jumped in the water to recover cross and invoking the blessings of such a gesture.

Epiphany water blessing service was committed to Stockholm by His Grace Macarios, Bishop of Northern Europe, together with priests Gheorghe Borca and Florin Balan, after it was celebrated Mass at the church dedicated to the Assumption, in Bredang -Stockholm.

Along with the whole community, as usual in the last years, was Romanian- Swedish Cultural Association "FRATIA", which had a major role in organizing the event, purchasing including diving suits for the two men who jumped into the water.

Several hundred Romanians wanted to attend religious service on this occasion, coming from church-Bredang Stockholm, in a procession to the seashore at Sjövilla (Skärholmens Gard).

" Throwing holly cross to water and removing the cross from the water mean entry and exit of Christ in the Jordan waters wich sanctifies with His own body.

Water is the lifeblood of the universe, the whole universe receives the blessing as mentioned in the lyrics of one of the songs for Epiphany: Christ was baptized, he leaves the water and with it purifies the whole world.
  The liturgical act of throwing holly cross to water and removing the cross from the water, is also having a baptismal meaning. St. John Chrysostom says:  "Immersing and out of Christ Jordan expresses the mystery of the Holy Sacrament of Baptism , that death and resurrection in Christ", said on this occasion, His Eminence Macarios, Bishop of Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of Northern Europe.

"The cross was removed from water by two parishioners of our church of Bredang - Stockholm, which we enjoy. It was a great event and parishioners attended in large numbers, because today was thrown cross here in Stockholm for the first time. Last year, the event took place in Goteborg. Although the cold was very great, God gives us power. From now, every year, will know that this is where the Holy Cross is thrown into the water", said at the end of the prayer of blessing the water, Father George Borca.

Very low temperatures, well below zero degrees Celsius, have not deterred the two brave who plunged into the Baltic Sea to recover cross.

Belief, desire to preserve traditions and to attract the blessings for such a gesture, were the main arguments that have strengthened and gave them the strength to lead the way this approach.

"Faith encourages us all to make these gestures. At first I wanted to jump without diving. I was always confident that God will keep me and nothing bad will happen.Immersion suits protected me very well, "said Felix Bozian.
Radu Cristian Rusu, teammate and "other candidates" to jump searching cross dive, adds: "I wanted to keep the tradition. I once jumped into cold water, on another occasion, not the Epiphany. Hopefully something good happen to us by our deed, we hope to have good luck and accomplishments. I jumped to be blessed. "

For other events experiences were great, as described, for example, Mr. Dan Mardare, a romanian, living in Sweden since 2007:

"For me it's something unique. For the first time I saw this, in Stockholm, on such a low temperature. I tasted event because in the morning I helped break the ice for the hole in which they jumped. It's a terrible cold."

Special significance of the moments of Romanian traditions Epiphany at Stockholm and hopes which were related to this symbolic moment for the Romanians in Stockholm and not just for them, were raised by president of Romanian-Swedish Cultural Association "FRATIA" , Ms Elena Borca :

"Last year, the cross was thrown by His Holiness, Dr. Macarios, in Goteborg. In Stockholm it is a first. It was a special moment, very significant for us, Romanian Orthodox within Scandinavia, some of us keeping here, inside our souls, by 20 years, Romanian Orthodox Christianity.

We want this moment to be good news for our approaches to building a Romanian church in Stockholm. We hope we find ourselves in our own place of prayer. For the first time, in Stockholm will be built a Romanian church. After 20 years, we have received from the Swedish authorities 9000 square meters to build this temple. We want today to mark a good sign for this project wich is ongoing and whose work should begin in late February. Romanian-Swedish Cultural Association FRATIA in collaboration with the Church of the Assumption of Bredang - Stockholm and Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of Northern Europe, have made every effort for this event to be a successful one, and by this to show honor and respect of the Romanian community."

Emanuel Stoica,
Journalist, spokesman, media liaison officer of ACTIV SPIRIT/FRATIA