On the Saturday before the Pentecost, June 22, 2024, the feast of the Blessed Saint Agafia of Cușelăuca, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Monastery of the Assumption of the Mother of God in the village of Cușelăuca, Soldanesti district.
The festive celebration began with the Great Vespers Service officiated by the bishop-vicar, the Most Reverend Filaret of Căpriana and continued this morning with the taking out of the Holy Relics in front of the central church of the Monastery, followed by the celebration of the Eucharist, after which the Holy and Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir.
Together with the Primate, prayers were offered by Archbishop Marchel of Balti and Fălești, Bishop Ioan of Soroca and Drochia, Bishop-vicars Siluan of Orhei and Filaret of Căpriana, Archimandrite Irinarh (Costru), abbot of the monastery of Țigănești, protopriest Petru Spinei, confessor of the host monastery, protopriest Nicolae Craveț, diocesan secretary and protopope of Soroca district, protopriest Vasile Rotari, protopope of Șoldănești, Hegumeness Vera (Spinei), abbess of the monastery, a group of priests and deacons, abbesses from the Metropolis, as well as many faithful who came to glorify Blessed Agafia, the most gracious helper and praying before the throne of the Most Holy Trinity.
The liturgical responses at the service were offered by the archpastoral choir of the diocese of Balti and Fălești, conducted by prot. Alexandru Paiul.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir prayed to the Blessed Agafia in front of the shrine with her holy relics, after which he spoke to the faithful about the life of the Saint, congratulating the Convent of Cușelăuca, the priests and the numerous faithful present.
Afterwards, Archbishop Vladimir presented orders and diplomas to some of the founders and benefactors of Cușelăuca Monastery.
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Blessed Agafia was born in 1819, in the family of Ioan and Eudochia Maranciuc. Paralyzed in childhood, she was broght for healing to the monastery of Cuselauca by her parents when she was only 12. Although not treated from physical impairment, the girl herself received the gift of healing other people. She remained in the monastery for the rest of her life, moving to the Lord on 9 June 1843.
Blessed Agafia lead a life of prayer and spiritual ascension, offering an example of Christian humility and obedience to the will of God. She prayed for the people who visited her, and soon became known as a fervent intercessor. Many people came to visit Blessed Agafia at the Monastery of Cuselauca, asking her to pray for their healing.
After her death, her body was buried in the Monastery. In 1996 her incorrupt relics were discovered and placed in the Dormition Church of the monastery. Numerous church-goers and pilgrims started to visit the monastery, receiving responses to their prayers at the relics of Blessed Agafia.
After a research of the life of Blessed Agafia, at the report of His Eminence Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chisinau and all Moldova and of the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided over the beatification of Blessed Agafia, establishing the commemoration day on 9/22 June. The decision was adopted on 15 July 2016, on the Commemoration day of Holy and Right-Faithful Stephan the Great, Prince of Moldova.
The Beatification service was officiated on 24 September 2016.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations