Tuesday, 19 December 2017, on the feast of St. Nicholas of Myra in Licia, the parishioners of Durlesti town greeted Metropolitan Vladimir with much spiritual joy, in order to pray with the arch-pastor of the Orthodox Church of Moldova during the Divine Liturgy and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their parish.
Praying with the Metropolitan during the Liturgy were archpriest Vadim Cheibas, Metropolitan Secretary, archpriest Zosima Toia, Dean of Chisinau Church Circumscription No. 3, archpriest Adrian Toia, rector of St. Nicholas Parish, and numerous other priests.
The entire community uttered thanks-giving prayers to the Lord, and also prayed for the heavenly intercession of St. Nicholas, the Patron Saint of their parish. The parish rector, Archpriest Adrian was awarded a high church dignity, the right of celebrating the Divine Liturgy with the Holy Doors open till the Cherubim Hymn.
After the Liturgy, the parishioners followed Metropolitan Vladimir and concelebrating priests in a Gospel-reading and praying procession around the church, and then a thanks-giving litany was officiated.
Metropolitan Vladimir congratulated the church-goers on their Patron Feast, and expressed high appreciation of the work and efforts made by the parish rector, Fr. Adrian Toia in his church ministry. The metropolitan expressed his hope that this good example of devoted service is followed by all other clergy.
Metropolitan Vladimir also congratulated all those celebrating their families’ Patron Feast on St. Nicholas’ day, and handed sweet gifts to the children present in the church. Each adult was offered a book signed by archpriest Zosima Toia, The Church of St. Nicholas – at its 10th anniversary.
Liturgical answers during this Divine Service were provided by men’s choir Gnosis directed by Sergiu Crudu.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations