With the blessing of Metropolitan Vladimir, the first hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, Vicar Bishop Siluan of Orhei celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Lord Metropolitan cathedral on the 7th Sunday after the Pentecost.
This Sunday coincided with the commemoration of the Right-Faithful Prince Stephan the Great (2/15 July), who was a protector of Christian faith from turks and islamic expansion in Europe.
Holy prince Stepan the Great made unique sacrifice for Moldova. He proved abnegated love of the Country and of the Church, putting often his own life in danger of death on the battlefield. Encouraging his warriors, St. Stephan gave an example of faithfulness and devotion to the country and Christian values. This made him one of the most loved leaders of the nation, appreciated for his steady faith and bravery.
After the Gospel Reading, Bishop Siluan explained the spiritual meaning of the story presented by Apostle Mathew (9: 27-35).
His Grace Siluan mentioned: “Only faith helps the man to enter into true relation with God. Through faith one can return to initial state of creation, beyond any illness and infirmity, and beyond death. Why only through faith? Because this is the only way to achieve human liberty, as supreme gift and expression of the image of God in man, which cannot be altered.”
Bishop Siluan congratulated all church-goers on the commemoration day of Holy Prince Stepan the Great, calling everybody to follow the example or our brave predecessor, in devoted protection of the right faith and our ancestral Church.
After the Divine Liturgy, the praying community, conducted by hierarch, priests and deacons, went in a hymns-singing procession towards the monument of the Holy Prince Stephan the Great to lay flowers and utter prayers for the strengthening of the faith and patriotic spirit in the people.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations