On Thursday, 12 June 2025, His Eminence Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chișinău and All Moldova, officiated the Divine Liturgy at the parish of St Luke the Apostle and Evangelist in the village of Peciște, Rezina District.
Concelebrating to the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova were Archpriest Igor Cojocari, Dean of Rezina; Father Marcel Baleca, parish priest; the Very Reverend Archimandrite Ioan (Hangan), spiritual father of Pripiceni-Curchi Monastery; along with other clergy from the Rezina Deanery.
During the Little Entrance, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir awarded Father Marcel Baleca the right to wear the epigonation and the golden cross, in recognition of his diligent service for the glory and benefit of the Orthodox Church of Moldova.
Further distinctions were conferred upon the following clergy of the deanery:
- Archpriest Ghenadie Boldișor, parish priest of the Nativity of the Lord Church in Ignăței – granted the right to officiate the Divine Liturgy with the Great Doors open until the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father…”
- Archpriest Grigorie Ignatiuc, parish priest of the All Saints Church in Gordinești – granted the right to officiate the Divine Liturgy with the Great Doors open until the Cherubic Hymn
- Archpriest Andrei Chirtoacă, parish priest of the Dormition of the Theotokos Church in Meșeni – granted the right to wear the mitra
- Priest Ioan Cușnir, parish priest of the Dormition of the Theotokos Church in Sîrcova – granted the right to wear the mitra
- Priest Valeriu Morari, parish priest of the St Hierarch Elijah Church in Otac – promoted to the rank of archpriest and granted the right to officiate the Divine Liturgy with the Great Doors open until the Cherubic Hymn
- Priest Vasile Ușurelu, parish priest of the Nativity of the Theotokos Church in Stohnaia – promote to the rank of archpriest and granted the same liturgical distinction
- Priest Simion Gamarț, cleric of the Protection of the Theotokos Church in Păpăuți – granted the right to wear the golden cross
Among the laypersons honoured were:
- Mr Teodor Cuculescu, President of Rezina District – awarded the “Church Merit” Order, Second Class
- Mr Valentin Rotari, Vice President of Rezina District – awarded the “Church Merit” Order, Third Class
Liturgical responses were provided by the hierarchical choir of Curchi Monastery, directed by Mr Dumitru Buga.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a procession was held around the church, along with a memorial litany for the departed priests Petru Răzmeriță and Ioan Baleca, former parish priests of the community, and a Te Deum for health.
Synodal Sector for Institutional Communication and Media Relations