10th year consecutively, traditional gifts were offered to about 300 children from various placement centres, in the Nativity of the Lord Cathedral on the Feast of St. Nicholas.
Early morning, Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and Moldova celebrated the Divine Liturgy, assisted at the service by numerous priests and deacons. A guest cleric concelebrated to the liturgical community – Archimandrite Macarios (Evoristo), arrived from the island of Corfu, Greece.
During the service, His Eminence Vladimir officiate a diaconal consecration to Iulian Botezatu, graduate of the Institute of International Relations of Moldova and a Master of Art student at the Theological Academy of Chisinau. Deacon Iulian was appointed to service in the Chapel of his current alma mater.
With the blessing of the ruling arch-pastor, father Teodor Tihon, the Cathedral confessor, delivered the message of pastoral guidance explaining the significance of the Feast of St. Nicholas.
Thanks-giving prayers were uttered, and the liturgical community congratulated Metropolitan Vladimir on the Feast of his Heavenly Protector, for His Eminence was given the name of Nicolae at the baptismal.
The metropolitan thanked for warm words and congratulated in his turn all Christians, especially those bearing the name of Nicolae and celebrating St. Nicholas as their patron saint.
His Eminence Vladimir also mentioned that numerous children from vulnerable families are systematically provided support and care due to tight collaboration between the Metropolis of Moldova and Chisinau Municipal Department for the Child’s Rights Protection (CMDCRP). The arch-pastor then handed parcels with sweets to the children who attend various community and placement centres of CMDCRP.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations