On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, on the feast day of Saint Venerable Macarie of Saharna, the Holy Trinity Monastery hosted the Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, together with a host of priests and deacons.
Joining the Primate in prayer during the Divine Liturgy were priest Vadim Cheibaș, Metropolitan Secretary; Archimandrite Adrian (Baciu), Abbot of the Monastery; Archimandrite Pimen (Gobjilă), Dean and Ecclesiarch of the Monastery; priest Igor Cojocari, Dean of Rezina; Archimandrite Ioan (Hangan), spiritual father of the Pripiceni-Curchi Monastery; together with clergy and the faithful in attendance.
During the Little Entrance, the Primate bestowed ecclesiastical distinctions as follows: Hieromonk Vasilisc (Donica) was granted the right to wear the Palitsa; Hierodeacon Damian (Țîganciuc) was granted the right to wear the double orarion; and Mr. Octavian Cirimpei, founder and benefactor of the monastery, was awarded the Second Degree Order of Ecclesiastical Merit.
On the eve of the feast, the reliquary containing the holy relics of Saint Venerable Macarie of Saharna was placed in the center of the church for veneration.
In 1991, following the reopening of the Monastery, Father Macarie’s grave was opened, and on that occasion his body was found to be incorrupt. The local canonization of Saint Venerable Macarie of Saharna took place on December 21, 1995, with his feast day established on May 13/26. Saint Macarie became the first locally canonized saint in the post-Soviet Orthodox Church of Moldova.
The liturgical responses were offered by the monastery choir under the direction of Mr. Ion Bumbac.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a procession around the church took place with the reading of the four festal Gospel passages, followed by a thanksgiving service for health and well-being. Afterwards, Metropolitan Vladimir addressed those present with a message of congratulations, speaking about the importance and spiritual significance of Saharna Monastery in the history and spirituality of our people. He also highlighted the dedication and efforts of the monastic community led by Archimandrite Adrian (Baciu), noting that their work helps preserve this remarkable monastery as a place of spiritual renewal, just as it was at the beginning of its existence.
For his part, the abbot thanked His Eminence for the archpastoral visit, noting that all that is accomplished within the walls of Saharna Monastery is done with love, humility, and the fear of God, for the glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of the faithful Christians.
Synodal Department for Institutional Communication and Media Relations
