First Cross Built in a Military Unit

CHISINAU, December 28, 2011 — Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta attended Wednesday, December 28, the inauguration ceremony of a cross built in the military compound 142 from Telecentru district of Chisinau.

The cross was installed at the entrance of the military compound and is the first cross of this kind in the National Army. A group of military priests sanctified the two-meter cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The Defense Minister appreciated the initiative which is part of the Ministry of Defense and the Moldovan Metropolitan Church joint action program.

“Such kind of cross built on the territory of a military unit is beneficial both for conscripts and servicemen. Promoting religious values among young soldiers is good for their moral and spiritual education and military discipline in large groups of people”, Vitalie Marinuta stated.

Military priest Dorin Rusu says the existence of a cross in a military unit is a natural thing for the Christian people, because this is a good way to make soldiers have stronger Christian beliefs.

"The cross is a value meant to improve conscripts’ spiritual condition. For instance, this morning, I saw a group of soldiers who stopped in front of the cross and made the sign of the cross.

Of the 1406 servicemen surveyed, 88.5% claim they are Christian-Orthodox, 1,6% — Catholics, 0.8 — Protestants. The others do not belong to any religion.