Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16, 15)
On the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Metropolitan Nativity of the Lord Cathedral in Chisinau.
The parishioners, united in thought and prayer with the Archpastor, raised lauds to the Lord, thanking for heavenly abundance and His unspoken mercy, uttering the prayers of the Liturgy with hope and spiritual peace.
Starting with this Sunday, the Orthodox Christians enter the period of Triodion, the liturgical book used during the Great Lent and several pre-Lent weeks, lasting 10 weeks in total.
The focus this Sunday is on the Gospel of Luke 18:10-14, in which two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, an externally decent and righteous man of religion, and the other was a publican, a sinful tax-collector who was cheating the people.
Though the Pharisee was genuinely righteous under the Law, he boasted before God and was condemned. The publican, although he was truly sinful, begged for mercy, received it, and was justified by God.
On this Sunday in the preparation for Great Lent, Orthodox Christians are to see that they have not the religious piety of the Pharisee, but the repentance of the publican. They are called to think about themselves, in the light of Christ’s teaching, as they really are and to beg for mercy. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:14) (source: orthodoxwiki.org)
The Metropolitan ordained Ioan Jerep into the dignity of deacon, who was appointed to office in the Metropolitan Cathedral.
His Eminence Vladimir congratulated the young clergyman, wishing him a blessed ministry, with responsibility and in the light of the Orthodox faith.
After the Lord’s Prayer, numerous parishioners present in the holy place partook in the Holy Eucharist, praising and cherishing the Lord.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Relations with the Mass-Meda