29th October 2017, the First Hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Venerable Paraskeva (Hincu) Monastery, residence monastery of Bishop Petru of Ungheni and Nisporeni, on the occasion of the latter’s 50th anniversary.
Concelebrating to Metropolitan Vladimir was a group of 23 arch-pastors, including the episcopate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops from the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and Estonia, assisted by archpriest Vadim Cheibas, Metropolitan and OCM Synod Secretary, and numerous other priests and deacons.
The liturgical responses at the Liturgy were provided by the choir of priests’ wives of Ungheni and Nisporeni Diocese, conducted b Iozefina Vizitiu-Gajim.
Praying along with the liturgical community was the Presedent the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Igor Dodon with his wife, and numerous state officials.
After the Divine Service, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir delivered a message of congratulation to His Grace Bishop Petru, on behalf of the synax of hierarchs, mentioning, among others:
“We should say that those who serve the Church are chosen by God. Chosen was Your Grace, as the Holy Scripture says, “from you mother’s womb”, and this choice was revealed in all your life.
Not only gifts did you receive from God, but also proved strong soul, resilient will, for, God’s gifts can only be capitalized by a human being with personal efforts. This is why, you added to the Lord’s gifts during all your life, giving fruit at any age, ascending like on the steps of a ladder”.
Metropolitan Vladimir underlined Bishop Petru’s missionary efforts and liturgical piety, combine with high feeling of personal responsibility for his Church ministry.
In his turn, Bishop Petru gave glory to God for all good received in life, and thanked to the First Hierarch of the Moldovan Church and to all concelebrating arch-pastors for warm congratulations and shared prayers.
In the end, Bishop Petru was decorated by the President of the Republis of Moldova with high state distinction, the Order of Bogdan the Founder, in sign of devoted missionary work during a quarter of a century.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations