19th May, 2024, on the 3rd Sunday after the Resurrection of the Lord, the Feast of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir officiated the Divine Liturgy in the church of Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Ruseștii Noi community, Ialoveni district, on the 500th anniversary of the first attestation of the locality.
The Primate was joined by the vicar Bishops: H.G. Ioan of Soroca and H.G. Siluan of Orhei, Metropolitan Secretary, Protopriest Vadim Cheibaș, Dean of Ialoveni District and the parish rector, Protopriest Anatolie Stefanov, M. Rev. Nectarie (Gherman), pro-rector of the Academy of Orthodox Theology and abbot of Horești Monastery, as well as a group of priests and deacons.
During the Small Entrance, the parish rector, Fr. Anatoly Stefanov, was decorated by the Arch-Pastor of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, with the right to wear the second cross with precious stones, as a sign of high appreciation for the work done during his years of service for the good and the greatness of the Orthodox Church of Moldova and its faithful flock.
The liturgical responses were offered by the Archpastoral Choir of Curchi Monastery conducted by Mr. Dumitru Buga.
The church was surrounded with the readings of fragments from the four gospels, a Te-Deum Laudamus Service with prayers for health and thanksgiving to the Lord for His great blessing poured out on the inhabitants of this community.
As a sign of gratitude for the work done in the parish and the local community, for the close cooperation and brotherhood between the inhabitants, the community here was decorated with the highest distinction of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, the “Order of Gratitude”. Thus, Ruseștii Noi became the first locality decorated with this distinction.
After the service, the consecration of the Crucifix of gratitude, erected on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the first documentary evidence of the village of Ruseștii Noi, was officiated.
Synodal Sector for Institutional Communication and Media Relations