Monday, February 12, 2024, on the feast of the Three Hierarchs, Theological Schools of Moldova: Academy of Orthodox Theology and the Orthodox Theological Seminary “St. Hierarch Gavriil”, celebrated their Patron feast, beginning with the Divine Liturgy.
On this blessed Christian feast day, the chapel dedicated to the “Holy Three Hierarchs” on the territory of AOTM in the capital became overcrowded for the teaching staff, seminary students, academy students, and parishioners, spiritually prepared to celebrate this event.
The divine service was officiated with the blessing of His Eminence Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chișinău and all Moldova, by Vicar Bishop, His Grace Filaret of Căpriana, assisted by Most Reverend Nectarie (Gherman), prorector of AOTM, hieromonk Macarie (Crudu), dean of the Faculty of Theology and a choir of priests and deacons, graduates of this theological institution.
The liturgical responses were offered by the choir of Horești Monastery.
This feast of the Holy Three Hierarchs is a feast of communion. The Three Hierarchs are the three peaks of the hierarchy of the Orthodox Church, who have surpassed many with the height of their life and teaching and like apostles after the Apostles have shone in the world.
In his sermon at the end of the Liturgy, the Arch-pastor pointed out that the Three Hierarchs are celebrated together to show Christians that one is not greater than the other. By a decision taken in Athens at the first Congress of Theological Teachers in 1936, the Three Hierarchs were declared the spiritual patrons of Orthodox theological educational institutions throughout the world.
At the same time, His Grace addressed a word of congratulations and blessing to the faculty and students, wishing them to be true missionaries of Christ’s Church and to fearlessly preach the saving Truth of the Gospel.
For his part, the AOTM pro-rector, Most Rev. Nectarie thanked the hierarch for the presence and the archpastoral service on this important day for theology in our country, mentioning that both teachers and students remain obedient to the Church and His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, ready to follow his guidance and advice to the advancement of faith and its witness in today’s world.
Source: Căpriana Monastery