On 9th February 2020, the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, the Orthodox Church enters the period of Triodion and is beginning the preparation for the Great Lent.
The first hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, Metropolitan Vladimir, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Holy Trinity Parish in the town of Pushkino, Moscow Region.
Accompanied by Bishop Ioan of Soroca, Vicar of the Metropolis of Moldova, Metropolitan Vladimir was greeted by the parish rector and dean of Pushkino church circumscription, archpriest Ioan Monarshek.
Metropolitat Vladimir, assisted by the parish clergy, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, after which addressed a message of arch-pastoral guidance to the praying community. The hierarch spoke about the significance of the day, mentioning that humility is one of the doors to the Heavenly Kingdom. The Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee begins the period of Triodion in the church calendar, specific to the Great Lent. This significantly points to the fact that prior to stepping on the path of ascetic doing and spiritual ascension, one should begin with humble thinking aiming to please God.
Metropolitan Vladimir offered to archpriest Ioan Monarshek, parish rector, a cross with jewels, in the memory of today’s joint prayer.
Fr. Ioan thanked the first hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova for the arch-pastoral service, presenting the metropolitan with a set of Panagias and arch-pastoral cross, on behalf of Pushkino Deanery.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations.