On 8 January 2025, the second day of the Great Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, when the Synaxis of the Mother of God is celebrated, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir of Chișinău and All Moldova was joined by the faithful flock in Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Nativity of the Lord in the capital.
Concelebrating to the Metropolitan were the Vicar Bishops of the Orthodox Church of Moldova: His Grace Siluan, Bishop of Orhei; His Grace Filaret, Bishop of Căpriana; Protopriest Vadim Cheibaș, Secretary of the Metropolis and Ecclesiarch of the Cathedral; along with assembly of priests and deacons.
The ecclesiastical term synaxis signifies “gathering of people.” It serves as an invitation to the faithful to assemble today in honour of the Mother of God here on earth. Simultaneously, the term reminds us that the Mother of God is glorified incomparably in the midst of all the saints in heaven. Consequently, today’s earthly gathering is, in fact, a shared celebration with the hosts of all the saints and angels in heaven. The heavenly assembly thus unites today with our earthly congregation in honouring the Mother of God.
Metropolitan Vladimir received warm congratulations from Bishop Siluan on behalf of the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova and from Father Vadim Cheibaș on behalf of the clergy of the Metropolitan Cathedral, both expressing gratitude for his pastoral care and love for the clergy and faithful.
The liturgical responses were offered by the mixed archdiocesan choir of the Cathedral, conducted by Mrs Angela Angheni, and the children’s choir, led by Mrs Feodora Burlac.
The Synaxis of the Mother of God is one of the five great feasts of the liturgical year dedicated to the Most Holy Virgin Mary.
On the third day after the Nativity of the Lord, the Orthodox Church honours Saint Stephen, the First Martyr and Archdeacon.
Photo Gallery: Celebration of the Synaxis of the Mother of God at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Nativity of the Lord in Chișinău.
Live Broadcast on Facebook: The Divine Liturgy for the Synaxis of the Mother of God at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Chișinău.
Live Broadcast on YouTube: The Divine Liturgy for the Synaxis of the Mother of God at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Chișinău.
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