“Confirming the universal resurrection before Thy Passion, Thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God. Therefore, like the children, we also bear the symbols of victory and cry out to Thee, the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord!” (Troparion of the Raising of Lazarus, Tone 1)
On Lazarus Saturday, April 4, 2026, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the “Resurrection of the Lord” Monastery, located within the “Saint Lazarus” Cemetery in Chișinău, which on this day marked its patronal feast.
Concelebrating with His Eminence were: His Eminence Anatolie, Archbishop of Cahul and Comrat; His Eminence Ioan, Archbishop of Soroca and Drochia; His Grace Siluan, Bishop of Orhei and Vicar of the Metropolis; archpriest Vadim Cheibaș, Secretary of the Metropolis and Dean of Chișinău Sector I; archpriest Nicolae Tudoreanu, cellarer and administrator of the “Resurrection of the Lord” Monastery; Archimandrite Irinarh (Costru), Abbot of Țigănești Monastery; Hieromonk Pavel (Vuluță), Dean of Drochia; together with a host of priests and deacons.
In recognition of their work for the good and the glory of the Orthodox Church of Moldova and of the faithful, during the Little Entrance, several clergy were awarded distinctions: hieromonk Petru (Vuluță), Dean of Drochia, was elevated to the rank of archimandrite; archpriest Marchel Tudoreanu, cleric of the monastery, was granted the right to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with the Royal Doors open until the prayer “Our Father…”; archpriest Gheorghe Borș, cleric of the monastery, was granted the right to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with the Royal Doors open until the Cherubic Hymn; priest Rodion Grosu, parish priest of the “Ascension of the Lord” Church in Rîșcova (Criuleni), was elevated to the rank of archpriest; and Deacon Vasile Postolache, cleric of the monastery, was granted the right to wear the double orarion.
During the Litany for the Departed, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir offered prayers for the repose of the ever-memorable archpriest Tudor Tudoreanu, presbytera Maria Tudoreanu, as well as for the founders and benefactors of this monastery who have fallen asleep in the Lord.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a procession took place around both churches with the reading of the four festal Gospels; a memorial service (lity) was served at the grave of Father Tudor Tudoreanu, and a festal thanksgiving service (Te Deum) was also celebrated.
The hierarch expressed gratitude to all those who labor and struggle within this holy monastery, especially to archpriest Nicolae Tudoreanu, for his efforts in caring for and developing the monastery, wishing them health and spiritual strength in fulfilling their entrusted obediences. At the same time, the Primate awarded orders and medals to several distinguished benefactors of the monastery.
In turn, Father Nicolae expressed his gratitude to His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, the attending hierarchs, the monastery’s benefactors, and all the faithful for their support and eucharistic communion on this feast day.
The Raising of Lazarus is celebrated in the Orthodox Church one day before the Sunday of the Entry of the Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Together, these two days form the boundary and the bridge between Great Lent and Holy Week: they are days of celebration, a foretaste of the joy that will be brought, one week later, by the Resurrection of Christ — the victory over death.
Synodal Department for Institutional Communication and Media Relations
