Last Sunday was very special for the clergymen and the parishioners of St. George church in Chisinau. On the patron feast of their church, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, assisted by numerous priests and deacons.
During the Service, a number of clergymen were rewarded with high church distinctions: Archpriest Bartolomeu Nicolaescu and Archpriest Sergy Kolmogorov were granted the right to wear Jeweled Cross, Protodeacon Gheorge Simac was rewarded with the right to wear Kamelaukion, while deacon Victor Cravet was given the right to wear Double Orarion.
This was also a very special holiday for monk Iosif (Dutca) of Sireti Monastery, who was ordained hierodeacon.
After the Divine Liturgy the clergymen and the parishioners walked in a procession around the church, with Gospel readings, followed by a Thanks-giving Te-Deum service.
Later, His Eminence Vladimir congratulated the rector, Archpriest Nicolai Florinschi, the clergymen, and parishioners of St. George church with their patron’s feast, mentioning the efforts of the parish rector in the work of consolidating this Christian community around one of the oldest churches of Chisinau. The Metropolitan expressed hope that St. George parish will continue acting as an important spiritual and educational center, seeding traditional Christian values in the hearts of people.
Congratulating the community on Paschal holidays, the Arch-pastor blessed the parishioners, advising them to pray to the holy Great Martyr George to intercede before All-Mighty God and take his example of self-denial.
In his turn, father Nicolae Florinschi thanked His Eminence for the honor given to the parishioners and clergymen, in celebrating the Divine Liturgy in thechurchofSt. George. Thanking for the Metropolitan’s congratulations on the Feast, Fr. Nicolae ensured the Arch-pastor of sonly obedience to the Orthodox Church of Moldova.