Tuesday, October 8, on the feast day of St. Rev. Sergius of Radonezh, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, the First Hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Diocesan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Mother of God in Drochia.
Today’s divine service was held on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Cathedral and 40th anniversary of clerical service of Protopriest Pavel Vuluță, honorary parish rector and Dean of the churches of Drochia district.
The Metropolitan was joined in prayer by numerous clergy: Archbishop Marchel of Balti and Fălești, Archbishop Nicodim of Edinet and Briceni, Bishop Ioan of Soroca and Drochia, Bishop Siluan of Orhei and Metropolitan Vicar, Prot. Pavel Vuluță, honorary parish rector and Dean of Drochia church district, prot. Nicolae Craveț, diocesan secretary and Dean of Soroca church district, as well as other protopopes, priests and deacons. Numerous church-goers arrived to share the prayers with the liturgical community.
At the report of the Diocesan Bishop Ioan, during the Small Entrance, the honorary parish rector, Protopriest Pavel Vuluță was decorated with high distinction – the right to wear the second cross, in gratitude for the priestly activity and countless obedience that the priest has performed. At the same time, the parish priest of the cathedral, prot. Elisei Vuluță received the right to wear the Mitra, and the cleric, prot. Mihail Carghel received the right to serve the Divine Liturgy with the Holy Doors open until the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father”.
After the celebration of the Holy Liturgy there was a procession around the cathedral with the reading of four Paschal Gospels, followed by a memorial service at the tomb of late Anghelina Vuluță, priest’s wife, and a Te-Deum of thanksgiving to the Lord for all the heavenly blessings showered on this parish and its faithful.
In his final congratulatory address to Father Pavel, His Eminence Vladimir appreciated the work of Father Pavel during all these years and wished him many more years of blessed life and help to the glory of God and his own salvation.
Local public authorities and parishioners also came up with messages of congratulations to Father Pavel thanking him for the prayers and advice they have received whenever they needed.
Synodal Sector for Institutional Communication and Media Relations