His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir officiated the Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Lord Cathedral to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos. The Metropolitan was assisted at the Divine Service by Vicar Bishop Ioan of Soroca and the clergy of the Cathedral.
Numerous church-goers from young to old came to the Cathedral on the 7th April 2017, to give glory to the Lord and utter prayers to our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Virgin Mary on the Feast of Annunciation.
The parishioners prayed together with the metropolitan and the clergy, asking for God’s blessing and guidance, preparing in peace and piety for the bright holiday of the Holy Pascha.
This Annunciation feast was very special for the Cathedral’s protodeacon Ioan Cij, who was dignified with the priesthood ordainment.
Also during the service, Gheorghe Calugareanu, a graduate of the Theology Academy of Chisinau, was ordained deacon.
After the service, Metropolitan Vladimir wished the newly ordained clergymen to be worthy servants of God and His holy Altar, to bear their cross with full consciousness of their high mission and ministry, for the salvation of the faithful flock entrusted to their pasturing.
In the guidance message addressed to the church-goers, the hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova advised the faithful to continue the spiritual ascension of Great Lent, in the spirit of sobriety and piety, striving for spiritual purification in the wake of the Lord’s Resurrection.
Over 30 families in difficulty were invited today to the Cathedral and were offered packages with food supplies and modest cash amounts by Metropolitan Vladimir.
The Feast of Annunciation is a holiday when the Heaven and the earth rejoice. The Good News announced to Virgin Mary is a joy for the entire humanity. Archangel Gabriel greeted the Theotokos with the word “Rejoice”, and this joy is shared by all people, for it brought the news of the incarnation of God, the news of fulfilment of times for the salvation of old Adam through the birth of new Adam, Jesus Christ. This feast is one of the oldest Christian holidays of biblical origin.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Relations with the Mass-Media