Saturday, 14th October 2017, when the Orthodox Church celebrates the Protection of the Mother of God (1st October, church calendar, coinciding with 14th October, civil calendar), H.E. Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and All Moldova celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Lord Metropolitan Cathedral in Chisinau. The first hierarch of the Moldovan Church was assisted at the service by vicar bishops Ioan of Soroca and Siluan of Orhei, the Metropolitan secretary, archpriest Vadim Cheibas, and priests and deacons of the Cathedral, who prayed amidst numerous church-goers gathered in the holy shrine to share the spiritual joy of the day.
Praying with the clergy and laity were President Igor Dodon, Interim Mayor of Chisinau Nistor Grozavu and numerous other state officials and representatives of the accredited diplomatic missions.
During the Liturgy, the praying community uttered thanks-giving prayers to God and to our Most Pure Lady Theotokos, praying for peace, spiritual unity, health, and intercession before the Righteous Judge.
This was a very special Liturgy for deacon Alexei Spelciuc, who was ordained priest, and for subdeacon Serghei Barbu, who was ordained deacon by Metropolitan Vladimir. On this blessed event, the arch-pastor congratulated the young clergymen and strengthened them with a message of spiritual guidance, wishing them to be restless and devout servants of the Church of Christ.
After the service Metropolitan Vladimir congratulated the liturgical community on the beautiful Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos, underlining that Chisinau is a truly blessed city, for its inhabitants live under the homoforrion of our Most Pure Lady Mother of God.
It should be mentioned that the Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos also celebrates All Saints who shone in the Land of Moldova.
The Metropolitan mentioned that every inhabitant of Chisinau should thank the Mother of God for Her prayers and heavenly protection. His Eminence Vladimir expressed joy for the presence of so many Christians during the Divine Liturgy, and for the fact that notable state officials were praying amidst the people, in spiritual unity with the nation.
After the Thanks-Giving prayers that followed the Liturgy, the celebration of the Chisinau’s Feast was inaugurated in the Cathedral Square.
This year Chisinau celebrates 581 years since its first documentary attestation.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations