The faithful of the “Dormition of the Theotokos” parish in the village of Pripiceni-Răzeși, Rezina district, experienced moments of joy and spiritual elevation on Thursday, October 31, 2024, during the visit of His Eminence Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chișinău and all Moldova, who came to consecrate the Church in the locality.
In the morning, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir was greeted in front of the church by Archpriest Serghei Botnari, the parish priest, along with his family, the clergy, and the parishioners. The service of the consecration of the Altar then followed, according to the prescribed order of the liturgy.
The Metropolitan was assisted in the Divine Liturgy by Archpriest Vadim Cheibaș, Metropolitan Secretary, Archpriest Igor Cojocaru, District Dean of churches in Rezina region, Archpriest Serghei Botnari, the parish priest of the host community, and a group of priests and deacons.
During the Divine Liturgy, at the small entrance, the parish priest, Archpriest Serghei, was granted the privilege by the Archbishop to serve the Divine Liturgy with the Royal Doors open until the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”), as well as the right to wear the Mitre, in recognition of his diligent work and dedicated service to this parish. Additionally, Archpriest Andrei Perlog, the parish priest of the community in Bușăuca, was granted the right to wear the Mitre, and Archpriest Ioan Javgurean, the parish priest of the community in Mateuți, was granted the right to serve the Divine Liturgy with the Royal Doors open until the Lord’s Prayer and the right to wear the Mitre.
The liturgical responses were offered by the Archpastoral Choir of Curchi Monastery, led by Mr. Dumitru Buga.
After the Divine Liturgy, the traditional procession around the church took place, with the reading of the Gospel fragments, followed by the celebration of a Te Deum thanksgiving to the Lord for all the blessings taking place in this parish. The Metropolitan then congratulated the faithful present on this significant event in the history of the locality.
In turn, the parish priest thanked His Eminence for his willingness to share the joy of the celebration with the Christians of this parish.
The most diligent parishioners, in recognition of their contribution to the church’s renovation, were awarded medals and diocesan certificates.
As is customary, Metropolitan Vladimir did not forget to offer prayer books and icons to all the Christians present, as a means of strengthening and nurturing their spiritual growth, as well as a memento of this beautiful encounter.
Synodal Sector for Institutional Communication and Relations with the Media