“Blessed is he who considers the poor and the needy;
the Lord will deliver him in the day of trouble.”
(Psalm 40:1)
Almsgiving is a foremost virtue and one of the highest expressions of faith working through love. It is the living witness of the Gospel put into practice and the natural fruit of man’s communion with God. Wherever true mercy exists, Christ Himself is made visible, as He draws near to the hungry, the wounded, the lonely, and those deprived of hope.
Around us there are many who await an outstretched hand: the homeless, the bedridden sick, single mothers, families burdened by poverty, children deprived of protection, and persons in detention. They are not at the margins of our lives, but at their very center, placed before us by God’s providence to call us to responsibility, compassion, and self-sacrificing love. We cannot bear witness to our love for God if we remain indifferent to the suffering of our neighbor.
Through God’s loving care, ten years ago we blessed the activity of the House of Mercy dedicated to the Holy Great Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth, as a social institution for helping those in need, carrying out its mission under the guidance and protection of the Orthodox Church of Moldova.
For a decade now, the House of Mercy of the Orthodox Church of Moldova has been providing a warm meal each day to more than 100 needy persons and people living on the streets, in the square of the Memorial Complex. This fraternal agape, carried out with love and sacrifice, is a concrete testimony of Christian love put into action. The House of Mercy—a work of compassion that endures through time—remains a living sign of the presence and ministry of the Church in the lives of those tried by poverty and suffering.
The anniversary of this work is an occasion for thanksgiving to God and for gratitude toward all those who, with dedication, support this mission of mercy. As Saint John Chrysostom teaches us: “Great are the wings of almsgiving. It pierces the air, passes beyond the moon, leaves the sun behind, and reaches the heavens. Yet it does not stop there. It passes beyond the heavens, encircles the angelic powers, and stands before the throne of the Lord.”
On this anniversary occasion, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the entire team of the House of Mercy, who serve with pure hearts and steadfast devotion, and we pray that God may grant everyone strength, peace, and the joy of being co-workers with Christ the Lord, the Physician of our souls and bodies, in the noble mission of helping our neighbor.
Many blessed years!
With archpastoral and paternal blessings,
† VLADIMIR
METROPOLITAN OF CHIȘINĂU AND ALL MOLDOVA
