His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir officiated the Divine Liturgy in the Diocesan Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Soroca municipality.
Concelebrating with His Eminence were His Eminence Archbishop Ioan, sufragan hierarch of Soroca and Drochia, Archpriest Nicolae Craveț, Diocesan Secretary and Dean of Soroca, Archpriest Alexandru Ilescu, Dean of the Cathedral, together with an assembly of priests and deacons.
During the Small Entrance, Metropolitan Vladimir conferred upon Archpriest Nicolae Craveț the “Order of Gratitude” on the occasion of his 45th birthday and 25 years of priestly service, in recognition of his dedicated work and devotion within the Orthodox Church of Moldova.
In addition, the young subdeacon Tihon, son of Protodeacon Constantin Rotari-Bicu, was awarded the Jubilee Medal “25 Years of Archpastoral Ministry of His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir,” for his zeal and diligence in his service as subdeacon.
The liturgical responses were offered by the hierarchical choir of the Episcopal Cathedral, conducted by Protodeacon Mihail Rotari.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a thanksgiving Te Deum was celebrated, after which His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir addressed words of congratulation to His Eminence Archbishop Ioan and to all the faithful present, expressing his joy for the beautiful liturgical communion and his appreciation for the self-sacrificing work carried out for the flourishing of Christ’s Church.
As a sign of esteem and blessing, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir presented Archbishop Ioan with a panagia, Archpriest Nicolae Craveț with the Primate’s Cross “for diligent service and devotion to the Orthodox Church of Moldova,” and Archpriest Alexandru Ilescu, the Cathedral Dean, with the Jubilee Cross “35 Years of Archpastoral Ministry of His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir.”
In turn, His Eminence Archbishop Ioan offered Metropolitan Vladimir a replica of a panagia similar to the one worn by the ever-memorable Patriarch Pimen, who once promoted and ordained our Metropolitan to the episcopal rank.
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