19 August 2018, on the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, coincided with the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Lord Metropolitan Cathedral in Chisinau.
The First Hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova was assisted during the service by Archpriest Vadim Cheibas, Metropolitan Secretary and Dean of the Cathedral, and clergy of the holy shrine.
The Transfiguration of the Lord is one of the 12 Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, and has a biblical origin. The Gospel Reading of the Feast describes the miraculous event celebrated today:
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”
Matthew 17:1-9
By His Transfiguration, our Lord Jesus Christ showed us His unity with God-Father. The Light of the Transfiguration is the light of the Heavenly Kingdom to which all human being is called. However, nobody can enter the Heavenly Kingdom, unless they become transfigured, that is, renewed through repentance and abandonment of sinfulness, and become united with God in their mind, soul, and entire being.
Today’s Divine Service in the Metropolitan Cathedral was live broadcast on Radio Moldova and trm.md, with commentaries provided by the journalist Iulian Proca.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations