15 August: Romanian Navy Day and Assumption of Holy Virgin Mary

Romania celebrates each year on 15 August the Day of its Naval Forces and Assumption of Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, protector of the sailors, one of the most important feasts in the Orthodox Christian calendar, national public holiday.

Amid nationwide religious ceremonies in honor of Holy Mary, Mother of God, Bucharest and all big cities at the Black Sea coast - Constanța, Galați, Mangalia, Brăila, Tulcea and Cernavodă - have organized impressive manifestations and naval shows, on the occasion of the Romanian Navy Day.

Same as every year on 15 August, tourists and locals have watched naval parades and other special ceremonies.Romanian naval soldiers and counterparts from Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Ukraine marched in front of the Fleet Command headquarters in Constanța. Events were attended by President Klaus Iohannis and National Defense Minister Mihai Fifor, according to RRA correspondent in Constanța, Sorin Cealera.

President Klaus Iohannis: Romanian Navy provides both Romania's sovereignty and the security of the Black Sea, in the spirit of the values and missions of NATO and the European Union. Black Sea region is of strategic importance, in a volatile context and with potential for conflict. The Black Sea, through Romania's efforts, has been mentioned as a very important issue in the documents debated during the last NATO summit.

Defense Minister Mihai Fifor: Romanian Naval Forces are in the process of modernization and are able to act quickly in the context of the Black Sea security. Selection process for corvettes and for modernizing "Queen Maria" and "King Ferdinand" frigates is under way.

Vice Admiral Alexandru MÎRŞU PhD. Chief of the Romanian Naval Forces: “The Romanian Naval Forces are a serious and credible partner with a special contribution to maintain a secure climate in this geopolitical space (...) Romanian Naval Forces continue to adapt their actions to the current context of maritime security in the Black Sea extended region, through high standards of efficiency, transparency and objectivity”.

Organized for the first time in Constanța on the 15th, of August, 1902, the celebration of the Romanian Naval Forces become a symbol for Romanian people. This year, the celebration of the Romanian Navy Day is under the favorable auspices of the 100th anniversary of the greatest achievement of the Romania: the unification of all provinces with the Old Kingdom in one democratic, national state (Navy.ro)

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei