The day of splendid solemnity is come; the city of Bari rejoiceth, and with it the whole world doth exult with hymns and spiritual songs. For today is the sacred feast of the translation of the precious and much-healing relics of the hierarch Nicholas the wonderworker. For like the never-setting Sun, he shineth with brilliant beams of light, driving away the darkness of temptations and misfortunes from them that cry out with faith: Save us, O Nicholas, for thou art our intercessor!
Troparion, Tone 4
In the fourth week after Easter, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, when we celebrate the Translation of the Holy Relics of St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Lycian Mira, His Eminence Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chisinau and All Moldova, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Nativity of the Lord in Chisinau.
Five decades ago, on 22 May 1974, on this day, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir was ordained as deacon in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Mother of God in Smolensk by the Bishop of Smolensk and Veazma, Theodosius (Protiuk).
On the occasion of this important event, the Primate was joined by the bishop-vicars: Bishop Ioan of Soroca, Bishop Siluan of Orhei and Bishop Filaret of Căpriana, the metropolitan secretary and dean of the cathedral, Protopriest Vadim Cheibaș, and the clergy of the holy place.
After the holy and divine Liturgy, His Eminence Bishop Ioan uttered the prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for the Primate of the Orthodox Church of our country, the Republic of Moldova.
The liturgical responses were offered by the Cathedral’s arch-pastoral choir conducted by Mrs. Angela Angheni and by the arch-pastoral choir of Curchi Monastery conducted by Mr. Dumitru Buga.
At the end of the Holy Service, a te-deum was officiated, praising and thanksgiving to God for all the grace and blessings showered upon our Metropolitan in the 50 years since he received the grace of serving at the Holy Altar, the step of deacon.
In his speech, Bishop Ioan recalled some historical passages from the life of the arch-pastor, after which, on behalf of the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, he congratulated the Metropolitan, while the metropolitan secretary and cathedral dean came with a congratulatory message from the clergy of the cathedral wishing him health, strength and long years of service at the helm of the Orthodox Church in our country.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations