On 25 June, the Embassy of the Order of Malta to Romania hosted the annual National Day Reception, to celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Patron Saint of the Order.
Among the 170 guests were ambassadors, diplomats, and dignitaries from embassies, the consular corps, and international organisations; representatives of the Government of Romania; key stakeholders from the private sector; as well as members of the Order of Malta from around the globe, the National Association in Romania (AROM), and the Relief Corps in Romania (SAMR/Maltez). The recently accredited Apostolic Nuntio, H.E. Giampiero Gloder joined the celebration alongside the Metropolitan Archbishop Aurel Perca and the Archbishop Emeritus Ion Robu.
The official speeches were delivered by H.E. Roberto Musneci, Ambassador of the Order of Malta to Romania, and Dr. Raed Arafat, State Secretary in-charge of the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU) within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Romania. During his speech, Dr Arafat recounted the origins of SMURD (Serviciul Mobil de Urgență, Reanimare și Descarcerare), a public emergency rescue service in Romania, that was first established in the early 1990’s in Târgu Mureș, before spreading to Cluj and other cities thanks to the support and contributions of the Order of Malta.
Marking this important event, Ambassador Musneci said, “I am thrilled to see such a turnout for our celebrations today. This date is particularly important for the Order as it is the birth of our Patron Saint, St John the Baptist. The diverse group of people of various nationalities and faiths in attendance today once again demonstrates our continued good standing as a sovereign entity under international law, where the Order of Malta maintains diplomatic relations with over 100 states, including extremely close relations with Romania.”
The Catholic Church honours St John the Baptist because of his role in preparing the way for Christ, and the Order in particular celebrates the Nativity of St John on 24 June as the National Day – both because the Order is a sovereign entity under international law, and as St John is the Order’s Patron Saint.
