His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, the First Hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, officiated the Divine Liturgy on the 26th Sunday after Pentecost and the first Sunday of the Nativity Fast at the Metropolitan Cathedral ‘Nativity of the Lord’ in the city of Chișinău.
His Eminence was assisted at the service by Protopriest Vadim Cheibaș, metropolitan secretary and Dean of the cathedral, together with the assembly of priests and deacons of the metropolitan cathedral.
During the divine service, the arch-pastor and the clergy prayed together with the faithful, entreating from the Lord Christ, through His saints, defense against the storms of the times, spiritual virtues, and a hopeful path towards eternal life.
The liturgical responses were provided by the mixed choir of the metropolitan cathedral, led by Mrs. Angela Angheni.
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan, the sermon was delivered by Father Vadim, wherein he explained to the faithful the Sunday Gospel passage, presenting the Parable of the rich man whose land produced abundantly.
‘Every good farmer would do the same; he wouldn’t let the fruit of his year’s work go to waste. Up to this point, we can’t blame him for anything. He could even be considered a positive character. But then, things change, it’s as if he’s not himself anymore: ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ Here is where his mistake began: first, he no longer wanted to work; he was preparing to live in idleness; and second, even more seriously, as I mentioned earlier: he thought only of himself; he misused the possessions he had through God’s will and care.
That’s why God didn’t like the philosophy of this character. He didn’t like his way of life. And He said it simply but decisively: ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ This is what happens to someone who gathers treasures for himself and is not rich toward God.
Synodal Sector for Institutional Communication and Media Relations