1st December 2025 – UK Parliament
The Fortitude To Stand For What is Right
Iuliu Hossu
We the occasion of Romanian National Day we celebrated a profound chapter of our history: the achievement of the Great Union and the role of the spiritual leaders who had the courage to stand on the side of truth.
Cardinal Iuliu Hossu, the one who read the Proclamation of 1 December 1918, remains a symbol of dignity and moral fortitude. In the difficult years that followed, testimonies describe him as a man of faith who called for humanity and compassion, sending a letter urging priests and believers to help persecuted Jews.
The Romanian Parliament has proclaimed 2025 as the “National Year of Cardinal Iuliu Hossu,” marking 140 years since his birth — an act of recognition for a life that united history, faith, and civic courage.
Prayer in the UK Parliament
Romania’s National Day 2025
The 3rd edition of Prayer in the UK Parliament of representatives of Romanian churches in the UK and leaders of the Romanian community took place through the kindness of the Under-Secretary of State, Gareth Thomas MP.
Thank you, Gareth Thomas MP, for your unwavering support for Romanians in the UK.
Romania’s National Day is celebrated each year in such an important place in the world thanks to the British people who have chosen to publicly acknowledge the contribution Romanians make to society.
MP Gareth Thomas is a true friend of Romanians and the one who has agreed, every year on Romania’s National Day, to support an evening of prayer for peace in the world.
“This day is a celebration of unity, culture, and the incredible contributions Romanians make to our community. La mulți ani! 🇷🇴”
Romanian National Day 2024
On 2nd December 2024 we held the first meeting of a group of Romanian businessmen in the UK at a round table with Mr. Gareth Thomas MP, at the UK Parliament.
Three other founders of Romanian business clubs in the UK were invited, including a children’s club.
- Cristian Damian
- Ionut Iulian Ungureanu
- Daniela Vitelaru Junior International TV
More details about this meeting, can be found on the Romanian Business Club profile.
Roconect will continue to build bridges between people and promote the Romanian community at the highest level, because we are a people who contribute to the well-being of this kingdom.
We were blessed to be a blessing.
Prayer in the UK Parliament
Romania’s National Day 2024
The 2nd edition of Prayer in the UK Parliament of representatives of Romanian churches in the UK and leaders of the Romanian community took place through the kindness of the Under-Secretary of State, Gareth Thomas MP.
It is the only parliament in the world that offers this annual recognition of the contribution that Christianity and the Romanian church bring to the national life of the United Kingdom.
This year’s theme was “As it is in Heaven, So also on Earth”, which provided a platform for discussion on how the values of the Kingdom of God can inspire personal and community transformation in a world marked by conflict and division.
Our special guest was His Eminence, Archbishop Nikitas (Lulias) of Thyatera and Great Britain. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira & Great Britain
His Holiness challenged the participants to analyze their lives through two fundamental questions:
“What would Christ say and do in my place?”
“How would I treat the other if he were Christ?”
These reflections call on every Christian to transform their daily reality in accordance with the values of the Kingdom of God.
Dr. Petre Breazu, keynote speaker and researcher at the University of Cambridge, spoke about the danger of hate speech and discrimination, viewed from a Christian perspective.
Dr. Breazu emphasized that discrimination of any kind profoundly contradicts the fundamental values of Christianity. “The teachings of Christ call us to love, respect and protect every person, regardless of their origin or condition.”
- Thank you to all the speakers for their message and call for unity and peace:
Rev. Dr. Teofil Harii, Rev. Dr Eduard Fartan, P. Adi Bucur, P. Daniel Barna, P. Vili Costescu, P. Gabriel Popa, P. Calin Petrof, P. Daniel Apetrei, Jonhatan Harii, Elena Pascalau. - Thank you artist Rahela Manea who brought a divine artistic moment through the sound of the flute, with which she interpreted the Great Grace, the most famous hymn in the world, written in 1772 by the English Anglican clergyman and poet John Newton.
- And last, but not least, we want to honor little Isaac, aged 5, who concluded with the Lord’s Prayer.
We bless Romania and the future of all the children of this country!
We appreciate the openness of the community leaders who participated in this step towards unity for our beloved country.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9)
Romania, God loves you!
Let Your face shine, O Lord, upon Romania!
God bless Great Britain!
Thank you Inno Brezeanu for capturing the moment.
Romanian Business Club Lunching
UK Parliament
This initiative was born out of the Roconect conference, but will continue as a separate project.
Founding team: The president of the club, Mr. Bogdan Scutelnicu, Steffie Banu and Ms. director Laura Motac.
Guest speakers:
- Simina Tulbure – Diaspora MP for Romania , she is also the president of the friendship group between the Romanian Parliament and the UK Parliament.
- Farah London who has supported Romanian business for almost a decade
- Iolanda M. B. Costide, with an impressive career of over 46 years in the UK.
The Romanian Roma Federation was also launched, a coalition that fights for the rights of Romanians of Roma ethnicity in the UK. There are over 1,700,000 Romanians in the UK, and we will continue to build a bridge between people and institutions, between people and people, BECAUSE WE CARE!
Highlights
Ensuring Remembrance:
Advocating for Education and Commemoration of Roma Holocaust in the United Kingdom
- raise awareness about the importance of commemoration of Roma Holocaust and increasing the efforts to educate younger generations across all communities about the attrocities of the past.
- We are grateful to Gareth Thomas MP for making this possible and for all his love in action for the Romanian community.
- It was such an honour to have amongs us, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira & Great Britain, an avocate for human rights and God’s justice in this world.
- Baroness Cathy Bakewell MP- All Party Parliamentary Group GRT
- Chi Onwurah MP
- Stephen Doughty MP
- Mrs. Mariana Costache-Buceanu, Honorary Advisor to Minister of Health, Senior Counsellor National Agency for Roma, Agentia Nationala pentru Romi Guvernul României
- Cristi Mihalache @ OSCE/ODHIR
- Dr. Petre Breazu University of Cambridge
- Dr. Marius Taba
- Dorrotyia Szij @Roma Support Group
- Terezia Rostas
- Laura Stresina Ambasada României în Regatul Unit al Marii Britanii şi Irlandei de Nord
- Consul Amalia Manole Consulatul General al României la Londra
Evening of prayer with the Romanian Churches at the Parliament
- By the kindness of Gareth Thomas MP
- 150 Church leaders, community leaders and NGO leaders have gathered on 29th of November to start the celebrations for the Romanian National Day
- London has the most Romanian churches, outside of Romania, and their contribution to the Romanian diaspora community cannot go unnoticed.
- Churches are real community centres, where the Romanians find a family, find the culture and traditions that make us feel at home, no matter where we are in the world.
- With this occasion Mr Gareth has invited the leader of the House of Commons to join in welcoming the contribution of British Romanians to UK.
Roconect Festivals Vendors in Parliament
