Metropolitan Antonie: Romanian language is one of the deepest expressions of our continuity

Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia issued a message on Monday for Romanian Language Day , saying the occasion “calls us to honour one of the deepest expressions of our continuity”.

“Language is the spiritual matrix of a people, the archive of its sensibility, the memory of its sufferings and victories, as well as the most faithful expression of the way in which it has understood the world, time, life and the encounter with God,” Metropolitan Antonie emphasised.

The Metropolitan of Bessarabia highlighted the challenges faced by the Romanian language east of the Prut.

“In this region, the Romanian language was subjected for a long time to systematic identity engineering. Its alphabet was changed, its name falsified, its origins disputed, while its speakers were marginalised, deported or forced to conceal their identity.”

“Nevertheless, the Romanian language survived in the prayers of mothers and grandmothers, in Church chant, in old liturgical books, in folk songs, Christmas carols, family prayer lists and in the longing of those who were deported. It survived like a vigil lamp sheltered from the storms of history,” Metropolitan Antonie added.

The role of the Romanian…