Traditionally, the first day of the fast before the Nativity of the Lord, when the Orthodox Church celebrates the commemoration of Saint Reverend Paisy (Velichkovsky), the Noul Neamt “Ascension of the Lord” monastery invites hierarchs of the Church and numerous church-goers for this great celebration.
This year, the monastic dwellers were delighted to be visited by His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir along with other four hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church. Thus, in the Ascension of theLordchurchof the monastic settlement, His Eminence Vladimir of Chisinau andMoldovacelebrated the Divine Liturgy, along with His Eminence Symeon, Metropolitan of Vinitsa and Mogylyov-Podolsk, His Grace Savva, Bishop of Tiraspol and Dubasari, His Grace Nicodim, Bishop of Edinet and Briceni, His Eminence Ambrozie, Bishop of Neftekamsk and Birsk. Another hierarch, His Eminence Iriney, Bishop of Orsk and Gai, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the St. Nicholas summer church of the monastery.
During the Divine Service, several monastic settlers were rewarded with church distinctions, and the Elder Monk of the monastery, Archimandrite Paisie (Cecan) was rewarded with II degree St. Stephan the Great church order.
After the Liturgy, a thanks-giving Te-Deum service was celebrated, followed by Panichida service at the tomb of Bishop Dormedont.
The pilgrims received arch-pastoral blessing of His Eminence Vladimir, who addressed to them a message of congratulation and invited to pious fasting and spiritual growth.
A brotherly agape dinner followed, that was offered by the monastic settlers and the ctitors of the monastery.
Photos of the event are here