On the 36th Sunday after Pentecost, of the publican Zacchaeus, Metropolitan Vladimir celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Lord Cathedral in Chisinau.
The metropolitan was assisted by archpriest Vadim Cheibas, Metropolitan Secretary and Cathedral Dean, archimandrite Ioan (Hangan), confessor of the Monastery of Pripceni-Curchi, and the priests and deacons of the cathedral.
Liturgical responses were provided by the Choir of the Cathedral directed by Angela Angheni.
The Sunday Gospel (Luke 19: 1-10) describes an effect of the meeting with Lord Jesus Christ: the publican Zacchaeus repents and decides to change own life radically. Indeed, the grace of the Lord touches somebody’s heart, this person never wants to return to previous sinful state, but becomes determined to follow Christ for the rest of own life.
During the service, metropolitan Vladimir ordained two inhabitants of the Monastery of Pripceni-Curchi: hierodeacon Andrei (Solcan) was ordained into the dignity of hieromonk (monastic priest), and monk Alexei (Stratu) was ordained into the dignity of hierodeacon (monastic deacon).
On the day of 15 February (2 February, in the Church Calendar), the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, Metropolitan Vladimir plans to officiate on the Patron Feast in the Chapel of Moldova State University.
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