The Orthodox Church celebrates today, on the 4th of December, the feast of the Entry or Bringing of the Mother of God into the Temple in Jerusalem at the age of 3, to be presented to the Lord and her stay in the Holy of Holies until the age of 15, which means her dedication to the Lord or the beginning of her life with God.
The Entry of the Mother of God into the Church is the newest feast dedicated to the Mother of God, inscribed in the calendar since the sixth century, after a Church named ‘Holy Mary the New’ was raised in Jerusalem, during the reign of Emperor Justinian. It is one of the twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, celebrated on 21 November / 4 December .
On this significant day, His Eminence Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chisinau and all Moldova, officiated the Holy and Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral ‘Nativity of the Lord’ in the capital, being joined in prayer by the vicar bishop, His Grace Filaret of Capriana, protopriest Vadim Cheibaș, metropolitan secretary and Dean of the Cathedral, the present assembly of priests, and the faithful attending the Holy Liturgy.
In the morning, before commencing the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir performed the rite of blessing the antimenses intended for the parishes within the Orthodox Church of Moldova.
With His Eminence’s blessing, Father Vadim delivered a message of pastoral teaching, recounting the biblical event – the Bringing of the Most Holy Virgin to the Temple.
At the end of the first week of the Nativity Fast, the faithful who fasted and received absolution from their spiritual father partook of the Holy Mysteries.
In the following weeks of fasting, we urge you participate in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, preparing yourselves beforehand to receive it with sincere repentance, with much fear of God, with faith, and with love.
Synodal Sector for Institutional Communication and Media Relations