On the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, together with His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the patronal feast of the Monastery of the “Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women Martha and Mary” in Hagimus, Căușeni District.
The two hierarchs were concelebrated by Archpriest Vadim Cheibaș, Metropolitan Secretary; the monastery’s spiritual father, Archimandrite Andrei (Cotruța); Archimandrite Paise (Cecan), Abbot of Chițcani Monastery; priests of the monastery; and serving deacons.
Also present at the divine service were Mother Superior Marta (Cușnir), Abbess of the host monastery and the one being celebrated on this day; Mother Superior Maria (Sidiropulu), Abbess of the Monastery of the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth in Munich, Germany; the monastic community; and numerous faithful who gathered in prayer.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the hierarchs and clergy participated in a procession around the church, during which the four festal Gospel readings were read out. A thanksgiving service (Te Deum) was also held, expressing gratitude to the Lord for the blessings poured upon the monastery, the sisterhood, and the faithful.
In his address, Metropolitan Vladimir thanked Metropolitan Mark for the liturgical fellowship, as well as the abbess, the monastic community, and the faithful for their tireless work, their contributions to the spiritual beauty of the monastery, and for their continual prayers for peace, for the country, and for the people.
In turn, Metropolitan Mark expressed his heartfelt thanks to the abbess and to Father Andrei for their warm invitation and loving hospitality. He also thanked Metropolitan Vladimir for his blessing and for the opportunity to concelebrate the Liturgy, and he extended heartfelt congratulations to all those present on the occasion of the Orthodox Women’s Day.
Mother Superior Marta offered words of gratitude to the hierarchs, clergy, and all participants for the beautiful liturgical celebration, for the joy of communion in Christ, and for the blessing of sharing this historic day for the monastery and the country.
After the Liturgy, a festive agape meal was held, followed by a Paschal concert presented by the “Ascensio” Choir of the Arts Lyceum of the monastery, and by the children’s choir of the “St John the Baptist” Church in Ștefan Vodă, led by Father Ioan Apostol and his wife Olga.
Sector for Institutional Communication and Media Relations of the Synod