The joy of blessing and prayer, on the 23rd Sunday after the Pentecost, in the Metropolitan Cathedral

On the 23^rd Sunday after the Pentecost, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Lord Metropolitan Cathedral in Chisinau, sharing the blessed joy of the prayer with our fellow countryman Bishop Iriney of Orsk and Gai (Russian Federation) and Bishop Siluan of Orhei, Metropolitan Vicar. Concelebrating priests were Archpriest Vadim Cheibas, the Metropolitan Secretary and Cathedral Dean, and the clergy of the Nativity of the Lord Cathedral.

At the Small Entrance, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Vladimir awarded to Archpriest Vadim Cheibas the Third Degree Order of the Russian Orthodox Church “Holy Prince Vladimir”, in sign of high appreciation of worthy service and prodigious work during twenty years of priesthood.

Strengthened with spiritual food, the church-goers listened to a motivating homily about the need of prayer and Christian behaviour, typical for the period of ascetic doing of the Nativity of the Lord Fast, prescribed by the Church to prepare the believers for a blessed meeting and celebration of the Great Feast of bodily birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Nativity Fast reminds us of the patriarchs and other righteous people of the Old Testament, who spent much time in prayer and fast, hoping and waiting for the coming of the Messiah – the Savior. This Fast starts on 15/28^th November and closes on the eve of the Nativity of the Lord, 24^th December /6^th January.

After the Liturgy, the church-goers received Metropolitan Vladimir’ blessing and returned to their homes spiritually strengthened, with bright thoughts springing from the wisdom of the Holy Gospel, to become vivid torches of spiritual living, in the light of the Faith that brings the life eternal.

Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Relations with the Mass-Media