Archpastoral service on the Feast of Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, at the Metropolitan Cathedral

The Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the commemoration of Holy Apostle Andre the First-Called on November 30/December 13.

With the blessing of His Eminence Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chisinau and All Moldova, the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of Holy Apostle Andrew was celebrated in the Nativity of the Lord Cathedral by His Grace Ioan, Bishop of Soroca and Metropolitan Vicar, assisted by Archpriest Vadim Cheibas, Metropolitan Secretary and Dean of the Cathedral, and group of priests and deacons.

In the homily that followed the Gospel reading, His Grace Ioan talked about the life and ministry of the All-Praised Apostle Andrew.

“Holy Apostle Andrew preached the Gospel in the Holy Land, in Jerusalem, in Judea, Samaria, and then in Asia Minor, today’s Turkey, reaching Scythia. According to early historians, including Hippolitus of Rome, Origen and Eusebius of Caesarea, as well as to the Sinaxarion of the Constantinople Church, Holy Apostle Andrew preached in Scythia Minor, today’s Romanian province of Dobrogea, then in Scythia, that is, part of today’s Russia and Ukraine, and then in Byzantium, city that later became Constantinople. Then he went to Greece, spreading the Gospel, till he reached the city of Patras, where he was martirized. He was crucified on a cross in the form of “X”, – mentioned His Grace Ioan.

On this day, the faithful present at the service uttered prayers and glory to God and Holy Apostle Andrew, the illuminator of our people. Numerous parishioners confessed and took communion during the Liturgy.

After the Divine Liturgy, H.G. Ioan officiated a Thanks-Giving Te-Deum service, and then delivered the blessing and congratulation message of His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, who is participating these days in a pilgrimage in the Holy Land with a group of pilgrims.

Today’s service was live broadcast on the National TV and Radio.

Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Relations with the Mass Media