On Saturday, 6 September 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir officiated the Divine Liturgy in the newly built chapel of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, located within the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cricova, Chișinău Municipality.
The Divine Service began with the rite of the consecration of the Holy Table, a special moment that fully sanctifies the holy place for liturgical worship.
Together with the Primate, prayers were offered by Archpriest Vadim Cheibaș, Metropolitan Secretary; Archpriest Nicolae Andrieș, parish priest of the church; Archimandrite Tobie (Boboc), Abbot of Zloți Monastery; Archimandrite Irinarh (Costru), Abbot of Țigănești Monastery; Archpriest Corneliu Dobrogeanu, Vice-President of the Synodal Sector for Pastoral Activity in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and Law Enforcement services; serving priests and deacons; and the faithful laity gathered in prayer.
During the Small Entrance, the Metropolitan highlighted the fruitful activity and devotion of the parish clergy. Thus, the parish priest, Archpriest Nicolae Andrieș, was awarded the right to wear the Mitra. At the same time, Father Serghei Cojocaru received the right to wear the kamilavka, and Deacon Victor Bodlac was granted the right to wear the double orarion.
After the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir consecrated the social canteen built on the church premises. This new establishment stands as a real support for needy faithful and represents the fruit of Christian love and the community’s involvement in works of mercy.
Another moment of major importance was the blessing of the crosses that are to be placed on the domes of the Church of Saint Nicholas. Through this work, the place of worship receives a new adornment and a visible testimony of the living faith of its parishioners, who united sacrificially for the renewal of their church.
The service continued with a memorial litia for the servants of God, the late priests Archpriest Andrei and Archpriest Corneliu, who laboured over the years.
At the end, Metropolitan Vladimir addressed the faithful with words of congratulation and gratitude, underlining the effort made by the community together with Father Nicolae in building and embellishing the church and the entire parish complex. His Eminence remarked upon the unity and zeal of the parishioners, appreciating their involvement in preserving and renewing the spiritual and material heritage of the parish.
As a sign of gratitude for their work, the Metropolitan offered all the faithful of Saint Nicholas Parish in Cricova the Diploma of Gratitude, for the sacrifice and labour of each one, towards the eternity and immortality of their souls.
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