The Hungarian and the Szekler’s Anthem at the sanctification of the dishes from Miercurea-Ciuc

An impressive lot of people gathered, on Sunday morning, in the center of Miercurea-Ciuc municipality at the traditional ceremonial to sanctify the Catholic Easter Easter, usually established over 20 years ago and who is very loved in the area.

As every year, people began to gather on the plateau in front of the Administrative Palace long before 8:00, when the religious service started, and brought with them baskets in which there were red eggs, ham, drob, steak or cakes.

Many of the baskets and napkins are used only for this ceremonial and have their stories, some being inherited from parents or grandparents.

Some of those present in the center of the city wore folk costumes, and many families participated with children, who prepared small baskets with red eggs, so that, in this way, the tradition will be transmitted further.

In fact, there are people who 20 years ago, while they were children, came to the ceremony with their parents, and now participate with their children in sanctifying the dishes.

The image with the large number of people who sat on the rows both on the plateau in the center of Miercurea-Ciuc and in the adjacent areas and on the nearby streets was impressive.

The traffic of the vehicles was interrupted during the ceremonial.

Participants said they are praying for themselves and their families and for good understanding and mentioned that it is important for traditions to be transmitted from generation to generation.

Priest Darvas Kozma Jozsef spoke about this great holiday of Christianity.

« The Resurrection of the Lord is the biggest holiday for us, the Christians. In the whole world, we celebrate that life does not end with death, but it is the resurrection and eternal life. Christ has risen! » Said Darvas Kozma Jozsef.

And the deputy mayor of Miercurea-Ciuc, Bors Bela, emphasized the importance of this religious holiday, but also the habit of sanctifying outdoor dishes, which he said is the largest of this kind in the Carpathian basin.

« Easter reminds us that life does not end with earthly death. Learn that darkness does not have the last word and that the dawn of resurrection always follows the silence of great Friday. The new life is built in the silence of faith, in the small gestures of love and in the power of hope. Love, prayer and service.

As in the past years, the service of sanctification of the dishes was officiated, from an improvised altar, by the former bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Alba Iulia, Tamas Jozsef, along with several Catholic priests.

After the job, the priests went among the long lines of people, sanctified the dishes and addressed the traditional Easter wishes.

At the end of the ceremony, the people played the hymn of Hungary and the Szekler.

The habit of blessing the dishes in the center of the city was instituted in 2001 by Bishop Tamas Jozsef, as the surrounding churches had become unfit.

In time, it has become a symbol of the Catholic Easter holidays in the city and a Hungarian community holiday, and people from the villages near Miercurea-Ciuc also participate.