The First Hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir consecrated on Saturday, September 9, 2023, the church of Blessed Paraskeva in Lalova, Rezina district.
In the morning, the Hierarch was welcomed with great joy by the parish rector, Fr. Stefan Ciugui together with his family and parishioners.
Today’s Divine Service began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, which cannot be absent from any church, as it is the image of the tomb and resurrection of the life-giving Christ.
Together with the Archpriest, the following clergy were present: protopriest Vadim Cheibas, Metropolitan Secretary, protopriest Igor Cojocari, Dean of Rezina District, Archim. Seraphim (Razmerița), abbot of Tîpova Monastery, protopriest Ștefan Ciugui, parish priest of the church and an assembly of priests and deacons invited to the event.
During the Small Entrance of the Divine Liturgy, the parish rector, prot. Ștefan Ciugui was decorated by His Eminence with the right to wear the pallium and cross with precious stones as a sign of gratitude for his hard work in this parish, and prot. Vasile Ușurelu, rector of the church in Stohnaia village, Rezina r., awarded the right to wear the cross with precious stones.
The liturgical responses were offered by the Gnosis choir, conducted by the hierodeacon Macarie (Crudu).
After the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the church was surrounded in a procession with the reading from the four holy gospels and a Te-Deum Laudamus service of thanksgiving to the Lord for all the blessings that take place in this parish, then His Eminence Vladimir congratulated the faithful present on the occasion of this landmark event in the history of the church.
In turn, the parish priest thanked His Eminence for his kindness in sharing the liturgical joy of the celebration of the consecration of the local place of worship.
The parishioners and benefactors of the Holy Church were decorated with medals and diplomas in sign of gratitude for their collaboration with the parish priest.
On his departure, the Metropolitan presented icons to the Christians present as a sign of spiritual growth and remembrance of this historic event that took place today in this church.
Synodal Sector Institutional Communication and Media Relations