Friday, 1 October, Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and all Moldova visited the parish of the nativity of the Mother of God in Stefan Voda, to consecrate the parish church and celebrate the Divine Liturgy.
Archpriest Vadim Cheibas, Metropolitan Secretary, Archimandrite Andrei (Cotruta), the Father Confessor of St. Martha and Mary Monastery in Hagimus, archpriest Constantin Portarescu, Dean of Stefan Voda church circumscription, Archpriest Ioan Apostol, the parish rector, and numerous other clergymen concelebrated to the arch-pastor.
Liturgical responses during the service were provided by the choir of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery of Curchi.
During the Small Entrance, Metropolitan Vladimir awarded a number of church distinctions:
- Ion Croitoru, the main ctitor of the church was awarded the Order of Gratefulness, in sign of high appreciation of the support provided for the church renovation;
- Archpriest Ioan Apostol, the parish rector, was awarded the right of wearing Jewelled Pectoral Cross and Mitra;
- Archpriest Constantin Portarescu, District Dean, received the right of celebrating the Divine Litrugy with the Holy Doors open till the Lord’s Prayer.
The Liturgy was followed by a Cross Procession around the parish church, with hymns and Gospel readings. Thanks-giving Litany was officiated, after which the Metropolitan handed church distinctions and diplomas to numerous sponsors and supporters of the parish.
Fr. Ioan Apostol thanked His Eminence Vladimir, on behalf of the parish, for the arch-pastoral care and paternal love.
Metropolitan Vladimir addressed a message of congratulation and pastoral guidance, appreciating the effort of all contributors to the renovation of their spiritual pearl.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations