On Sunday, January 18, 2026, on the Eve of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral “Nativity of the Lord” in the municipality of Chișinău, joined in prayer by Archpriest Vadim Cheibaș, Secretary of the Metropolis and Ecclesiarch of the Cathedral, together with the clergy and the faithful of the holy church.
In order to properly welcome the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 18, also known as the Eve of Theophany, is appointed as a day of strict fasting, or even complete fasting, for those who so desire and who do not suffer from bodily infirmities.
At the Holy Liturgy, the faithful prayed together with the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, asking God to bless them and to grant them worthiness to fully rejoice in this important day, which precedes a great event for Christianity—the Baptism of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
After the Divine Liturgy, in the square of the Metropolitan Cathedral, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir officiated the Service of the Great Blessing of Water.
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The term “aghiasma” comes from the Greek word agiasmós (αγιασμός), meaning “sanctification.”
The Service of the Great Blessing of Water is celebrated both on the Eve of Theophany, when the water is sanctified for the priests to bless the homes of the faithful, and on the Feast of Theophany itself, when the water sanctified is taken by the faithful to their homes for use throughout the entire year.
The Great Holy Water is kept in a place of honor, in clean vessels, usually containing a sprig of basil. It is consumed for eight consecutive days, especially from the Eve of Theophany until the Leave-taking of the Feast.
The water sanctified on the Eve and on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is “a fountain of incorruption, a fountain of sanctification, healing of diseases, banishment of the opposing powers of demonic spirits, for the purification of souls and bodies, for the remission of sins, and for every good and beneficial work” (from the Order of the Great Blessing of Water).
At the Service of the Great Blessing of Water, the faithful were present and received holy water, which is used throughout the entire year, as well as in times of illness or during great trials and temptations.
The Synodal Sector for Institutional Communication and Media Relations
