St Gavriil, Metropolitan of Chisinau and Hotin, was celebrated on Tuesday, 3rd September 2019, at the Monastery of Capriana, ctitored by medieval Princes of Moldova.
Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and all Moldova arrived early morning at the holy settlement to celebrate the Divine Liturgy.
Archbishop Sava of Tiraspol and Dubasari, Bishop Anatolie of Cahul and Comrat, Bishop Petru of Ungheni and Nisporeni, Bishop Marchel of Balti and Falesti, Bishop Nicodim of Edinet and Briceni, Bishop Theodosy of Alatyr and Poretsk, Vicar Bishops Ioan of Soroca and Siluan of Orhei concelebrated to Metropolitan Vladimir at the Divine Service.
The synaxis of bishops were assisted at the service by numerous clergy, including archpriest Vadim Cheibas, Metropolitan Secretary, and archimandrite Filaret (Cuzmin), monk superior of the Monastery of Capriana. District deans and monastic superiors from the entire Orthodox Church of Moldova were invited to participate in the Divine Liturgy.
The Divine service was celebrated on a platform specially constructed in the middle of the Monastery, to allow the participation of numerous pilgrims and church-goers arrived from the whole country.
Liturgical responses were provided by the choir of the Capriana Monastery, directed by Vadim Ceban.
The Divine Liturgy ended with thanks-giving prayers.
Upon the dismissal prayers, Metropolitan Vladimir awarded the Order of Gratitude to Bishop Marchel of Balti and Falesti, on the occasion of 60th anniversary.
Metropolitan Vladimir then addressed a message of arch-pastoral guidance to the liturgical community, speaking about the historical role of Metropolitan Gavriil Banulescu-Bodoni.
Archimandrite Filaret, monk superior of the Monastery of Capriana, then thanked the hierarchs, priests, and all participants of the celebration, for their prayers and veneration of Holy Hierarch Gavriil, who was the founder of the Metropolis of Chisinau and Hotin.
The celebrations ended with a brotherly agape dinner, offered with love by the monastic community.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations