Wednesday, 22 June 2022, on the Feast of Blessed Agafia of Cuselauca, His Eminence Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chisinau and all Moldova visited the Dormition of the Theotokos Monastery in Cuselauca, Soldanesti, to celebrate the Divine Liturgy.
Archbishop Sava of Tirapol and Dubasari and archbishop Petru of Ungheni and Nisporeni joined Metropolitan Vladimir in prayer, assisted at the Liturgy by numerous priests and deacons from the Orthodox Church of Moldova.
Liturgical responses were provided by the parish choir of Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Church in Balti, directed by archpriest Alexandru Paiul.
At the Small Entrance, Metropolitan Vladimir decorated the Superior Nun of Cuselauca Monastery, hegumeness Vera (Spinei), with II Cathegory metropolitan Order “Church Merit”, in sign of appreciation of fruitful activity in the administration of the monastic settlement.
After the Liturgy, Metropolitan Vladimir congratulated the liturgical community on the Feast, referring to the life of Blessed Agafia whose incorrupt relics are preserved in the holy monastery of Cuselauca.
The hierarch awarded high church distinctions to the ctitors and donors of the monastery.
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Blessed Agafia was born in 1819, in the family of Ioan and Eudochia Maranciuc. Paralyzed in childhood, she was broght for healing to the monastery of Cuselauca by her parents when she was only 12. Although not treated from physical impairment, the girl herself received the gift of healing other people. She remained in the monastery for the rest of her life, moving to the Lord on 9 June 1843.
Blessed Agafia lead a life of prayer and spiritual ascension, offering an example of Christian humility and obedience to the will of God. She prayed for the people who visited her, and soon became known as a fervent intercessor. Many people came to visit Blessed Agafia at the Monastery of Cuselauca, asking her to pray for their healing.
After her death, her body was buried in the Monastery. In 1996 her incorrupt relics were discovered and placed in the Dormition Church of the monastery. Numerous church-goers and pilgrims started to visit the monastery, receiving responses to their prayers at the relics of Blessed Agafia.
After a research of the life of Blessed Agafia, at the report of His Eminence Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chisinau and all Moldova and of the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided over the beatification of Blessed Agafia, establishing the commemoration day on 9/22 June. The decision was adopted on 15 July 2016, on the Commemoration day of Holy and Right-Faithful Stephan the Great, Prince of Moldova.
The Beatification service was officiated on 24 September 2016.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations