The services of the Church during this week of Great Lent include special Vespers with the reading of the Great Canon of Venerable Andrey, Bishop of Crete. St. Andrey’s prayers are addressed to the human soul, calling it to take off its sinful clothes and to bathe itself in the tears of repentance, to embellish itself with the deeds of fast and charity, ascending in virtue, in order to die with the Crucified Christ and come to life with Him Resurrected.
Thus, during the first four days of the week, Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and all Moldova, read out the Great Canon of St. Andrey of Crete, in the Nativity of the Lord Cathedral.
On Wednesday and Friday, Metropolitan Vladimir and Bishop Ioan of Soroca, Vicar of the Metropolis of Moldova, officiated the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts, assisted by the Cathedral clergy.
After the Friday Liturgy, the first hierarch blessed the Coliva, special Lenten food made of sweetened cereals and fruits.
The Saturday Service commemorated Great Martyr Theodore of Tyre, and also gathered numerous Christians in the church.
The first week of Great Lent is very significant in the life of Orthodox Christians. It is specific by its unique services and prayers, calling the Christians to repentance and improving their spiritual life.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations