June 8, 2014
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Bogdan Matei, 08.06.2014, 12:00
THE PENTECOST — Orthodox and Catholic Christians in Romania and worldwide celebrated the Pentecost, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. In religious terms, the feast day marks the foundation of the first church, 50 days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, when three thousand people were baptized in the Christian faith, thus founding the first Christian community. On Saturday, some 150,000 Christians from all over the world took part in a Catholic pilgrimage to Mount Sumuleul Mic near Miercurea Ciuc, central Romania. Devoted to the Pentecost, the pilgrimage to Mount Sumuleu is considered one of the largest events of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, and has been a tradition for over four centuries.
MEETING — Romania’s Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean is today meeting with three US Congressmen arrived in Bucharest as part of a regional tour. Talks with former presidential candidate Republican John McCain, his colleague Ron Johnson and Democrat Chris Murphy will focus on security in Romania’s vicinity and in the Black Sea Region. The three US officials also met on Saturday with president Traian Basescu. According to a presidency press release, the three have expressed their gratitude for Romania’s contribution to NATO’s successful operations over the last years. Seen as two of the most influential US Congressmen and famous for the vocal opposition to Moscow, McCain and Johnson also visited the Republic of Moldova in April to express US support to the pro-Western power in Chisinau, against the backdrop of rising tensions in neighbouring Ukraine.
TENNIS — Romanian tennis player Simona Halep will be ranked 3rd in WTA standings as of Monday, after her performance in Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam tournament of the year. Halep lost Saturday’s finals against Maria Sharapova of Russia, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 after 3 hours of play. After the game, Sharapova admitted this was the toughest Grand Slam final of her career. This was also the first time that Halep, the Romanian woman tennis player with the biggest ascension in 2013, played in a Grand Slam final. Also in Roland Garros, Ioana Ducu and Ioana Rosca have won the junior’s doubles competition.
SPORTS — Romania won 5 medals, 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze at the European Women’s Boxing Championship held in Bucharest. Steluta Duta won gold in the 48 kg category. Florina Marinela Radu became European vice-champion in the 81 kg category. The bronze medals were won by Cristiana Stancu in the 69 kg category, Simona Sitar in the 64 kg category and Luminita Turcin in the 81+ kg category. Also in Bucharest, the Romanian men’s handball team lost 24-25 to Sweden as part of the first leg of the 2015 World Cup playoffs. The return leg will be played on June 15 in Goteborg.
