The Circumcision of our Lord, Troparion, Tone I —
O Jesus, Who in the highest dost sit with Thine unoriginate Father and the divine Spirit upon a fiery throne, Thou wast well-pleased to be born on earth of Thy Mother, a Maiden who knew not man; wherefore, thou wast circumcised as a babe eight days of age. Glory to Thine all-good counsel! Glory to Thy dispensation! Glory to Thy condescension, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind!
14 January 2024 (1 January in Church calendar) – a triple feast was celebrated by the faithful: the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord, the commemoration of St. Basil the Great and the beginning of the new civil year, according to the old church calendar. On this occasion, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, the first hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the monastery of the Holy Myrrh-bearering women Martha and Mary in the village of Hagimus, Causeni district.
Praying alongside His Eminence Vladimir were Archimandrite Andrei (Cotruță), the convent’s confessor, the choir of priests and deacons, Abbess Marta, the convent’s superior, the monastic community, the monastery’s high school students and Christians who came to the Divine Liturgy.
Liturgical responses were provided by the choir of nuns of the monastery.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir ordained subdeacon Ioan Budu, year 2022 graduate of the Academy of Theology, as a deacon.
Addressing the congregation, Metropolitan Vladimir spoke about the importance of each of the three events and how a good Christian should spend this important day. At the same time, His Eminence addressed a word of congratulations to all the faithful who bear the name Basil, urging them to remember the life of the great light and to ask for his intercession before the Righteous Judge throughout their lives.
Next, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova wished everyone a rich New Year, replenished with spiritual fruits and beautiful achievements, all to the glory of God, and then, traditionally. According to a folk tradition, the servers of the altar and the praying community wished reciprocally a happy new year and many happy returns of the day, casting seeds of cereals and chanting folk songs.
By the mercy of Good Lord and blessing the efforts of Archimandrite Andrei (Cotruta), the Mother Superior, Abbess Marta (Cusnir), the monastic community and the faithful ctitors, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir consecrated a set of 7 bells that will complete the liturgical and monastic ensemble of this little corner of heaven, the monastery of St. Martha and Mary in Hagimus.
A Christian meal followed, after which the “Ascensio” choir of the High School of Arts and the children’s choir from the church “St. John the Baptist” in the town of Stefan Voda, led by priest Ioan Apostol and his wife Olga, presented a concert with winter traditions: carols and new year chants.
Synodal Sector for Institutional Communication and Media Relations