On Wednesday, 5 March, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, officiated the first Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts of this year at the Nativity of the Lord Metropolitan Cathedral in Chișinău.
Joining the Primate in prayer were Protopriest Vadim Cheibaș, Metropolitan Secretary and Ecclesiarch of the Cathedral, along with the serving clergy of the holy place. Numerous faithful present at the service approached the Holy Chalice and received Holy Communion with the Body and Blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, appointed by the Church during Great Lent, is a special moment of spiritual reflection and strengthening for the faithful, offering them the opportunity to partake of the Holy Sacraments even on weekdays, through the Holy Gifts consecrated at previous liturgies.
At the conclusion of the service, Father Vadim addressed those present with a homily, encouraging them to observe fasting, prayer, and repentance during this blessed period of the Holy and Great Lent.
Traditionally, during the first four days of Great Lent, the Great Canon of St. Andew of Crete is read out in the church, introducing the faithful to the true consciousness of fasting.
Synodal Sector for Institutional Communication and Media Relations