“Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matt. 10: 8)
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, a number of charity activities were organised to mark the 5th anniversary of the Social-Missionary Centre “The Icon of the Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow” of the Metropolis of Moldova in Chișinău, coordinated by Hieromonk Macarie Crudu, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Social Assistance and Charity of the Orthodox Church of Moldova.
In this context, young volunteers from “Venerable Sofian of Antim” group, together with Hieromonk Macarie, visited the parish of The Protection of the Mother of God in the village of Bogdanovca-Veche, Cimișlia District (parish priest: Fr. Vasile Demian), bringing numerous gifts for the local faithful. These included clothing, footwear, blankets, exercise books for pupils, spiritual literature, food packages for 20 disadvantaged families, and other essential goods.
Among the beneficiaries of these charitable actions were also two social institutions partnering with the centre:
- The “Presbytera Irina Cij” Social and Charity Centre in Chișinău
- The Day Centre for Children at the Church of The Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple in Ulmu, Ialoveni District
These institutions received multiple boxes of clothing, footwear, kitchenware, medical supplies for the sick, toys for children, furniture, and other donations intended both for their activities and for socially vulnerable families in need of material support.
Another philanthropic initiative involved the donation of furniture and other goods from the centre for the arrangement of monastic cells and guest quarters at the “Nativity of the Mother of God” Convent in Răciula, Călărași District.
“In this life, the surest way to commune with God—the most infallible and immediate way—is through acts of kindness, helping those in distress, which is also the foundation of all virtues. Saint John Chrysostom beautifully describes this noble work of philanthropy or love for mankind, which is born from prayer: ‘Almsgiving is the mother of love, the love that defines Christianity, which is greater than all signs and wonders, and through which disciples resemble Christ.’ No offering is purer before God than mercy and the virtue of almsgiving.
We are called by God in these difficult times to ease poverty, heal suffering, extend a helping hand to those who have fallen, feed the hungry, and care for and heal the wounds of the poor. In doing so, we receive healing for our sins, cleanse the impurities from our souls, and adorn them, ascending towards heaven.”
This was the message conveyed by Hieromonk Macarie Crudu, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Social Work and Charity and Coordinator of the Social-Missionary Centre “The Icon of the Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow” of the Metropolis.