Saturday, 14 January 2017, On the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and Holy Hierarch Basil the Great (celebrated on 1/14th January), His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and All Moldova celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Lord Metropolitan Cathedral in Chisinau, assisted by the Cathedral clergy and surrounded by numerous church-goers.
Infant Jesus was brought to the Temple on the 8th day after His birth, fulfilling the Old Testament Law given to Abraham by God. Thus, this law said that all babies should be brought to the Temple on the 8th day after birth, to be given their names, while male babies had to be also circumcised, in sign of fidelity and sacrifice in the fulfilment of the will of God, but also as sign of differentiation from pagan peoples.
Talking to the church-goers, His Eminence Vladimir explained the importance of this event, mentioning that the Old Testament circumcision gave way to the mystery of Baptism. The Metropolitan also talked about the life of St. Basil the Great, whose feast is also celebrated on 1/14 January. The Hierarch congratulated all those who bear this name in the honour of the Great Arch-Pastor Basil, and reminded the church-goers that any holiday should be celebrated with prayer and piety, in the light of the Christian Teaching, avoiding any excesses.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Relations with the Mass-Media