The 14th of January combines two important church holidays: the Feast of Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Feast of St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Cappadocian Ceasarea.
Any true holiday begins with divine service. Thus, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Nativity of the Lord Cathedral in Chisinau, surrounded by the Cathedral’s priests and deacons and numerous church-goers who came to share the spiritual joy of the day.
After the Liturgy a Thanks-giving service was officiated, and the Metropolitan delivered arch-pastoral message to the community.
His Eminence talked about the importance of the Feast of the Lord’s Circumcision, mentioning that this was a sign of faith, of choice and blessing for Hebrews, a special blessing for the God’s chosen people and a sign of their fidelity and self-offering in the compliance with God’s will, living according to the will of the Holy Spirit and not being guided by instincts.
The Metropolitan also talked about Saint Basil the Great, who was Archbishop of Cappadocian Ceasarea, a great organizer of church life, liturgical and monastic order. Saint Basil was among the first to systematize the Church’s social mission and a great illuminator of the faithful flock.
His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir congratulated all those who are baptized with the name of Vasile, advising all faithful to follow St. Basil’s example of purity, faith, and love for God, and to pray for St. Basil’s intercession before the Lord’s Throne.