And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2, 10-11).
Today, when the Orthodox breathing celebrates the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Nativity of the Lord Metropolitan Cathedral in Chisinau.
During the Divine Service, the metropolitan secretary, Mitred Archpriest Vadim Cheibas read out the Pastoral Message of the Archpastor of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, mentioning, among others:
“The Heavenly Infant, coming to the world, brings along peace, joy, and goodwill, as Prophet Isaiah sais across centuries: ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end…’ (Isaiah 9, 6-7).
Overwhelmed by the holy joy of the Nativity of Christ, let us pray fervently for this state of peace, love, and joy to penetrate our hearts and our lives. Let us pray for the peace of Infant Christ to have no end in the entire world that is undergoing so much unrest.
Our Holy Orthodox Church represents a treasury of spiritual, cultural, and national values that contribute to the society’s spiritual growth and to overcoming the moral crisis of the world we live in. Expressions of evil and violence are generated by egoism and mentalities that are not purified by the teaching of Lord Christ, preached by the Church.
Let us thank God for all perfect giving granted to us in the passing year, and let us pray that God protects us in the coming one, enabling us to rejoice of beautiful and useful achievements, appearing as worthy children of the Church and of Him Who is born for us and for our salvation”.
On this bright feast, numerous clerics of the Cathedral were awarded church distinctions by the Metropolitan.
After the Liturgy His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir congratulated all church-goers on this great feast, advising them to fully experience the splendor and sublimity of the event, in the spirit of the Church teaching.
In the end the Metropolitan distributed sweets to the children present in the church, while the adults were given church calendars.