On Friday, April 17, 2026, on the Feast of the “Life-Giving Spring”, His Grace Siluan, Bishop of Orhei and Vicar of the Metropolis, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Țigănești Monastery. Concelebrating with the hierarch were Archimandrite Irinarh (Costru), the abbot of the monastic community, together with a host of priests and deacons. Numerous faithful took part in the service, coming to honor this feast dedicated to the Mother of God.
The Feast of the “Life-Giving Spring”, celebrated each year on the Friday of Bright Week, is closely connected to the great Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord. It reminds us of the special role of the Mother of God in the work of salvation, as the one who gave birth to Him Who is the Source of life and joy for the whole world.
The origin of this feast is linked to a miracle that took place during the time of Emperor Leo the Great. While still a simple soldier, he encountered a blind man who was thirsty, and, at the prompting of the Mother of God, gave him water from a nearby spring. After drinking, the blind man regained his sight. Later, upon becoming emperor, Leo built a church on that very site, where numerous miracles were performed. The shrine, located in the ancient quarter of Blachernae, can still be seen today in Istanbul.
The feast spread throughout the entire Orthodox Church beginning in the 5th–6th centuries, highlighting the special veneration offered to the Mother of God, the source of grace and intercessor before God. In Orthodox tradition, she is called the Mother of mercy, of forgiveness, and of love, who never ceases to intercede for the faithful.
“The water of your spring surpasses all waters, O pure Virgin, granting visibly deliverance from grievous illnesses and full strength to souls, as it pours forth beyond nature.”
(Ode 9 of the Canon at Matins for the Feast of the Life-Giving Spring)
Source: https://manastireacurchi.md/
