Sunday, 29th July 2018, Metropolitan Vladimir was greeted early morning by the Cathedral Dean, Archpriest Vadim Cheibas and the Cathedral Clergy, surrounded by numerous church-goers. The Cathedral Dean received from the hands of the archpastor the icon with a particle of the relics of Righteous Fyodor Ushakov, Admiral and the heavenly protector of mariners.
The holy shrine was placed in the middle of the Cathedral, to be worshiped by the church-goers.
Metropolitan Vladimir, assisted by archpriest Vadim Cheibas and the Cathedral clergy, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, followed by the message of pastoral guidance, delivered by archpriest Andrei Burlescu, cleric of the Cathedral.
Fr. Andrei spoke about the significance of today’s Gospel Reading that relates about Lord Jesus Christ’s miraculous walking on the water like on dry land. “The Saviour took care of His disciples, and walked towards them through the storm, hearing their desperate prayers at the danger of death in tumultuous waters. The Lord stepped into the boat to help His disciples. This vessel symbolizes the Holy Church conducted by Christ Himself, while the Christians, or Church members, are compared to the passengers embarked on this vessel of salvation. The stormy see becomes the symbol of our life, perturbed by the menacing waves of sins and temptations. We can be saved only if we, like Apostle Peter, step forward to Christ and cry for His help”, mentioned archpriest Andrei.
Today’s Liturgy was special for numerous Marine veterans, who prayed in the Cathedral together with the Metropolitan, following a tradition of celebrating the Black See Fleet day on the last Sunday of July. His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, being a Marine veteran himself, conducted fervent prayers together with his former Marine comrades and the faithful flock.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations