His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, the first hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, visited on Thursday, 25 May, on the Feast of Ascension of the Lord, the monastery of Tiganesti, Straseni region, to share the liturgical joy of the day with the monastic community.
Before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Vladimir consecrated the summer Altar of the monastery, dedicated to Holy Hierarch-Martyr Seraphim Chichagov. The sanctuary is built above the pool on the territory of the monastic settlement.
After the consecration service, the Divine Liturgy began, and the hierarch was assisted by archimandrite Irinarh (Costru), the monastic superior of the community. Concelebrating were numerous clerics from the monastery, who prayed together with a big number of pilgrims.
Among the clergy participating at the celebration were archpriest Vadim Cheibas, Metropolitan Secretary, archimandrite Irinarh (Costru), the superior monk of Tiganesti Monastery, archimandrite Filaret (Cuzmin), superior monk of Capriana Monastery and Dean of Straseni Church District, archimandrite Vladimir (Poia), superior monk of Butuceni Monastery, Archimandrite Spiridon (Marin), superior monk of Hirbovat Monastery, archpriest Pavel Vuluta, Dean of Drochia Church District, archpriest Nicolae Tudoreanu, administrator of the Resurrection of the Lord Monastery at St. Lazarus cemetery in Chisinau, and numerous other priests and deacons.
Liturgical responses during the service were provided by the monastic choir of Tiganesti community, directed by Liviu Oleineac.
During the divine Liturgy, in sign of arch-pastoral appreciation of prolific activity to the glory of the Church, archimandrite Iriharh (Costru) was awarded the Second Degree Order of Holy Hierarch Petru Movila, and archimandrite Sebastian (Balan), settler of the monastery, received the right of celebrating the Divine Liturgy with the Holy Doors open till the Lord’s Prayer.
Two ordinations embellished the Liturgical celebration: hierodeacon Inatie (Binov) was ordained hieromonk, and subeacon Serghei Carare, graduate of Theological Academy of Chisinau was ordained deacon. Both were appointed to ministry in Dormition of the Theotokos Monastery of Tiganesti.
After the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Vladimir consecrated the monastery’s hotel that will be available for the pilgrims arriving in the holy place. Thanks-giving prayers were uttered, with glory given to Holy Trinity for the liturgical joy and blessings of the day.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations