On Friday, 27 February, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts and the blessing of the koliva at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Nativity of the Lord in Chișinău.
At the divine service, together with the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, prayers were offered by Protopresbyter Mitred Vadim Cheibaș, Metropolitan Secretary, the assembled clergy, and the faithful who came to receive blessing and spiritual strengthening.
Following the conclusion of the Holy Liturgy, the Canon of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Tiron, commemorated on this day, was served. According to tradition, in remembrance of the miracle performed by the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Tiron, the koliva prepared with devotion by the faithful was blessed.
In his homily, Father Vadim spoke about the life and martyrdom of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Tiron, emphasizing his courage and steadfastness in the faith. He also explained the meaning of the koliva as a symbol of victory over trials and as an expression of our communion with the saints and the departed. The koliva blessed today is not merely an offering of thanksgiving to God, but also a testimony of our faith in the Resurrection, in the triumph of life over death.
Synodal Sector for Institutional Communication and Media Relations
