The 35th Sunday after Pentecost: Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and all Moldova celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Lord Cathedral in the capital of the country.
The Sunday service commemorated St. Gregory the Theologian, gathering numerous churchgoers in prayer.
The metropolitan was assisted during the Liturgy by archpriest Vadim Cheibas, the Cathedral Dean, and numerous priests and deacons of the holy shrine.
The Sunday Gospel Reading referred to the healing of the blind man near the city of Jericho.
Holy Apostle Luke (18: 35-43) provides a very brief narration of a very significant event. The blind man called the Lord Son of David, recognizing in Him the One Who had been long expected by the Hebrew, the Messiah. For the Jewish people, Son of David meant and Offspring of the royal bone, but more significantly, the Messiah Who was expected to come, fulfilling the words of ancient prophets.
It is very significant that a person with physical blindness proved to be of better spiritual sight than most of the Pharisees and scribes, who refused to recognize Jesus as the Christ, or the Messiah, the Saviour of God’s people.
By this healing, Christ shows to us that those who believe in Him gain fruits of their faith already in this life, and more perfectly, in the life eternal.
Metropolitan Vladimir officiated two ordinations during the Liturgy: deacon Andrei Svatuica was ordained priest, while monk Andrei (Solcan) was ordained hieromonk (monastic deacon).
Liturgical responses during the service were provided by the Cathedral Choir directed by Angela Angheni.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations