House Speaker Prospero Nograles Saturday cited the role played by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in helping unify the Filipino people in times of crisis ahead of the celebration of its 95th founding anniversary on Monday.

The INC anniversary celebration coincides with the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) to be delivered by President Arroyo before a joint session of Congress at the Batasan complex in Quezon City.

Nograles said he wanted to take advantage of “a rare opportunity, as leader of the House of Representatives” to congratulate one of the country’s biggest religious denominations often approached by politicians seeking its so-called “bloc support” in elections.

“For having survived the countless challenges of time is in itself a miracle,” Nograles said. “Our brothers have even grown into a multitude of millions worldwide from its humble beginnings almost a century ago.

“We cannot but be grateful to the Iglesia ni Cristo membership and leadership for their vital role in unifying our people amidst the many crises that often threaten the veins of our socio-economic and political life,” he said.

“As a people, we have proven that we can unite and fight adversities despite diversities. Love really transcends all barriers.”

Earlier this month, President Arroyo signed into law Republic Act 9645 declaring July 27 of every year, the church’s anniversary, as a special national working holiday.

Nograles said RA 9645 is an official recognition of INC’s “vital contribution to the nation and its endless energy to instill the word of God in the lives of all peoples of the world.”

Aside from the annual thanksgiving services that will be held this weekend in its many houses of worship all over the country, the INC will hold grand religious assemblies in 14 huge venues across the nation on Monday.

In Metro Manila, two of such gatherings are scheduled to be held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

Huge crowds are expected at the assemblies to celebrate “Iglesia ni Cristo Day.”

Traffic advisories have also been issued by local authorities to avoid possible congestion of public roads on that day, especially from afternoon to evening.

Other venues in Luzon where “Iglesia ni Cristo Day” celebrations will be held include the Quirino Stadium (Bantay, Ilocos Sur), the Central Integrated Terminal (Santiago City, Isabela), the Narciso Ramos Sports Center (Lingayen, Pangasinan), Villa Del Sol Subdivision-Olongapo-Gapan Road (San Fernando, Pampanga), the Ashton Field Subdivision grounds (Calamba City, Laguna), and the Bicol University Sports Complex and Commencement grounds (Legaspi City, Albay).

In the Visayas, assemblies are scheduled at the Panaad Stadium (Bacolod) and the Cebu Sports Center (Cebu).

In Mindanao, assemblies will be held at the Ipil Sports Complex (Zamboanga Sibugay), the Davao Agro-Industrial Institute Football Field (Davao), the General Santos City Oval Plaza (Cotabato), and the Butuan City Sports Complex (Agusan del Norte).

Overseas, “Iglesia ni Cristo Day” gatherings are also scheduled to be held on July 27.

In the USA, celebrations will be held at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, California and at the Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. In Europe, the venues that will be used are the Central Hall Westminster in London, UK and the Parco Esposizioni Novegro in Milan, Italy.

Even in Australia, a gathering will also be conducted at the Hills Center in Sydney.

The Iglesia ni Cristo was established in the Philippines in 1914 through the preaching function of the late Ka Felix Y. Manalo. Today, under the stewardship of its present Executive Minister, Brother Eraño G. Manalo, the INC has more than 5,400 congregations in 90 countries and territories worldwide.

Last week, the INC held a medical-dental mission at the Maharlika Village Blue Mosque Park in Ka Felix Manalo’s birthplace Taguig City, which benefitted an estimate of 20,000 residents, mostly Muslims.

This Sunday, a global TV special will be aired over GEM-TV 49 and Net25 at 8 p.m. This inspirational musical program will feature, among others, musical performances by some renowned world-class talents led by Ms. Lea Salonga.