Wednesday, 16 August 2017, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and all Moldova, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the St. Theodore of Tyre Monastery (Ciuflea Monastery) in Chisinau, marking the 50th anniversary of this monastic settlement’s confessor-administrator, Archimandrite Nicolae (Rosca).
On this day significant for father Nicolae, the Archpastor of the Moldovan Church prayed along with Archbishop Sava of Tiraspol and Dubasari, Bishop Anatolie of Cahul and Comrat, Bishop Petru of Ungheni and Nisporeni, Bishop Marchel of Balti and Falesti, Bishop Nicodim of Edinet and Briceni, Bishop Ambrose of Neftekamsk and Oktyabrysk, Bishop Ioan of Soroca, Metropolitan Vicar, and Bishop Siluan of Orhei, Metropolitan vicar.
Concelebrating to the hierarchs were a big group of priests and deacons from the entire metropolis of Moldova, who prayed together with and for numerous lay Christians gathered in the holy shrine for the holiday.
During the Small Entrance, the confessor-administrator of the St. Theodore of Tyre Monastery was awarded by the metropolitan a high metropolitan distinction: the Order of Gratefulness, in sign of high appreciation of fruitful ministry in the Monastery of Ciuflea and in congratulation on the 50th anniversary .
Archpriest Rodion Severin received the archpastoral blessing for the right of wearing mitra, and deacon Vasile Ghetiu was advanced into the dignity of Protodeacon.
During the service, Metropolitan Vladimir officiated two ordinations: monastery’s Protodeacon Boris Balan was ordained priest, receiving also the first church awards – the right of wearing kamilafka and gold cross, and subdeacon Rodion Chiper was ordained deacon, both appointed to ministry in the St. Theodore of Tyre Monastery.
After the Divine Liturgy the archpastors, assisted by the synax of priests, celebrated a Te-Deum thanks-giving service, singing long live to Archimandrite Nicolae (Rosca).
In the end, Archbishop Sava of Tiraspol and Dubasari, on behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir and the entire episcopate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, wished long live to father Archimandrite Nicolae, wishing him to be protected from dangers and temptations, and spiritual steadiness in further church ministry guiding the monastic settlement and numerous spiritual sons and daughters.
Father Nicolae thanked the archpastors and all the clergy for warm congratulations and wishes.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Relations with the Mass-Media