The Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos is a dear holiday for all Orthodox Christians of Moldova, but is a very special feast for Chisinau citizens, for it is the Patron Holiday of the capital.
It has become a tradition that this beautiful holiday is celebrated with much joy at the Nativity of the Lord Metropolitan Cathedral. Numerous Christians came in the morning to the Cathedral, to participate in the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir and His Eminence Kirill, Metropolitan of Varna and Velikopreslavsk – a dear guest who came from Bularia to share the joy of the day with Moldovan Orthodox Christians.
Representatives of Chisinau public authorities, including Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca, came to pray along with other believers. Among the guests who came to church this morning was Mr. Emil Constantinescu, former President of Romania, and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in our country.
After the Divine Liturgy, the believers followed His Eminences and the concelebrating priests, in a procession around the Cathedral, after which Te-Deum Service was celebrated to thank God for all mercy poured onto His faithful servants.
In his message to the faithful congregation, His Eminence Vladimir congratulated the Chisinau inhabitants and guests on the Patron Feast of the capital, calling them to continue praying with the same obedience to the Mother of God, asking that she protects our city with her Holy Protection, and mediate before the Lord, for the peace of the Orthodox people.
His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill also congratulated the inhabitants of the capital on this beautiful Feast, mentioning that he feels special love for the hospitallandofMoldovaand its people – beautiful physically and spiritually, and to whom he will be bound from now on in prayer and wishes for god.
In what followed, His Eminence Vladimir rewarded his concelebrating brother with the Order “Saint Stephan the Great”, for his efforts for the consolidation of Orthodoxy and strengthening the ties between the peoples who share the same faith, hoping that the relations between the Orthodox Churches of Moldova and Bulgaria will prosper, for the triumph of faith and salvation of our nations.
Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca also congratulated the believers, underlining that all grand and beautiful things that have ever been made in the capital, were possible with the mercy and help of the Lord, which should determine from now on all the citizens of Chisinau to join their efforts for the prosperity of their native city, acting with pure thoughts and hearts, and hoping for the help of the All-Merciful God.