Metropolitan Vladimir celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Theodore of Tyre Monastery (Ciuflea) in Chisinau on the Cheesefare Sunday.
Concelebrating to the first hierarch were Bishop Anatolie of Cahul and Comrat, and Bishop Nicodim of Edinet and Briceni. The arch-pastors were assisted at the Liturgy by archpriest Vadim Cheibas, Secretary of the Metropolis of Moldova, archimandrite Nicolae (Rosca), Confessor of the Monastery of Ciuflea, and numerous other priests and deacons.
Sharing the joy of the service with the liturgical community were the President of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Dodon, Minister of Defence, Victor Gaiciuc, Minister of Internal Affairs, Pavel Voicu, and other officials.
The liturgical responses were provided by the choir of the Monastery of Ciuflea, directed by Olga Ghetiu.
This day was very memorable for deacon Alexandru Lai, who was ordained priest and appointed to service in the Meeting of the Lord Church in Chisinau. Metropolitan Vladimir congratulated the young priest on this blessed event and wished him full devotion to the vocation of priesthood, in the service of God and His Church.
Thanks-giving prayers were uttered during and after the Liturgy, then Metropolitan Vladimir congratulated the liturgical community on this important day when the Church commemorates the casting-away of Adam and Eve from Heaven, entering into the Great Lent that precedes the Bright Feast of the Resurrection of Christ.
The metropolitan mentioned that true fasting is possible only if we enter full peace with the people around us, forgiving others and asking forgiveness for ourselves.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations