Thursday, 22 June 2017, on the day of commemoration of Blessed Agafia of Cuselauca, the Hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Dormition of the Theotokos Monastery, Cuselauca village, Soldanesti region.
Spiritual holidays started in the morning, when the shrine with the relics of Blessed Agafia was brought in front of the main church of the monastery, and the Matins service started, followed by the Hours service and the Divine Liturgy.
Concelebrating to the metropolitan were vicar bishops: His Grace Ioan of Soroca, and His Grace Siluan of Orhei, assisted by a big group of priests and deacons. Present at the event were numerous Christians from all over the country and from abroad, who came to the monastery of Cuselauca to utter prayers and give glory to God and his saint – Blessed Agafia.
At the Small Entrance, the Metropolitan rewarded nun superior Vera (Spinei) with the right of bearing jeweled cross, in sign of archpastoral appreciation of zealous efforts for the prosperity and dissemination of Orthodox faith and of good administration of Cuselauca Monastery and its inhabitants. Hegumeness Vera was also the first to be awarded the new distinction of the Moldovan Orthodox Church – the 2nd degree church order Blessed Agafia of Cuselauca.
With the blessing of Metropolitan Vladimir, the message of congratulation and spiritual guidance was delivered by Vicar Bishop Ioan, who mentioned: “Our blessed mother Agafia is our fervent intercessor before throne of our Lord Jesus, who unceasingly prays for our nation, as a bright model of faith, Christian life and piety. We venerate her as the first saint canonized by the Church of the Republic of Moldova. Shall we always praize Blesse Agafia in our prayers, “for praise is comely for the upright” (Psalm 33, 1).
A Thanks-Giving service was officiated after the Divine Liturgy, with prayers to Blessed Agafia for her tireless and unceasing intercession for our people.
In the end of the celebration, Metropolitan Vladimir awarded church distinctions to the ctitors of Cuselauca Monastery.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Relations with the Mass-Media