A few days before the old calendar Christmas celebration, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru sent a pastoral letter expressing his appreciation for the efforts of parish priests within the Metropolis of Bessarabia.

“Another essential aspect of this year is the commendable efforts of the parish priests, who sacrificed themselves in every parish to serve the faithful,” His Eminence wrote.

“With piety and love for God’s call and for their peers, they have helped strengthen communities and our faith in times when solidarity and understanding are more important than ever.”

Pastoral letter for the feast of the Nativity of the Lord 2024

†Petru
By God’s mercy
Archbishop of Chisinau,
Metropolitan of Bessarabia and Exarch of the Territories

To the most reverend clergy, the venerable monastic order, and the beloved faithful in the Sacred and God-kept Metropolis of Bessarabia,
Grace, mercy and peace from the Lord Christ,
And hierarchical blessings on our behalf.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” (Luke 2:14)

Your Graces, brother bishops,
Most Reverend fathers, ministers of the holy altars,
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord,

The entire Orthodox Christian, Christ-loving, human race is in great and holy celebration. Today is a bright, royal and divine Feast because we celebrate the Nativity of the Son of God from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary at the fullness of time (Galatians 4, 4) in the cave in Bethlehem of Judea.

According to the hymns of the Church, “He Who rules the heights of heaven, in His compassion, has become such as we are, born of a Maiden who has not known man.” (Matins, Second Canon, Ode 3). The New Testament shows us that the mystery of the Incarnation of Christ attests to an unbroken connection between the Son of God and creation, so this is the very purpose of the world’s creation (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9).

In response to the question “Why did God come down to earth?”, the church hymns tell us that “The Creator shaped man with His own hands, but when He saw us perishing eternally, He bowed the heavens and came down to earth, and clothed Himself completely in our nature, truly incarnate from a pure and holy Virgin, for He has been glorified!” (Matins, First Canon, Ode 1).

Through the Holy Gospels of the Holy Apostles and Evangelists Matthew and Luke, the historical truth of the Nativity of the Saviour Christ in Bethlehem of Judea is revealed to us as the fulfilment of what the prophets have prophesied for centuries.

All of God’s creation participated in the moment of the Incarnation of His Son: Heaven announced to earth the glory of the Son born from eternity of the Father. The Father shows Him to the angels and the latter to the shepherds. The star appears in the sky. Magi from afar, guided by the star, come to worship the Child, bringing gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense.

The whole creature, together with the angels, but also with us today, sang and sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14). This is our hymn and longing, our faith and our hope.

In the harmony of the heavenly and the earthly choir through which we are called to penetrate profoundly and steadfastly into the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God, to understand the boundless love of God the Father who “gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

Beloved faithful,

Full of prayer and with deep devotion, let us confess the Nativity of the Lord, let us cultivate the peace of our hearts received from Christ and let us remember in our prayers all Romanians everywhere and all Orthodox brothers and sisters so that we may preserve with much fraternal love the unity of faith and nation.

In the spirit of confessing faith, of hope in God’s mercy, of loving grace towards all, let us transform our heart into a Bethlehem cave so that Christ may be born in it and, with love, receive and embrace all those who wish to bring Him gifts of prayer and good works.

After another blessed year, we are happy to highlight some significant achievements of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, respectively, of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Moldova.

In particular, we give glory to God for the return of many communities, together with their priests, in the bosom of the Church of the Nation, a manifestation of the faith and unity that makes the whole society joyful.

Another essential aspect of this year is the commendable efforts of the parish priests, who sacrificed themselves in every parish to serve the faithful. With piety and love for God’s call and their peers, they have helped strengthen communities and our faith in times when solidarity and understanding are more important than ever.

The social-philanthropic work carried out through the Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, a fundamental pillar of Orthodoxy, was a living expression of the manifestation of Christian love.

We have witnessed the support given to those in need, and this active involvement in social and humanitarian issues demonstrates the mission of our Church to be a source of hope and help for the poor, sick, lonely or marginalized.

At the same time, we appreciate the partnerships and collaboration agreements concluded with numerous non-governmental organizations and public institutions. These partnerships allowed our Church to be present in every parish and community, being with every individual believer who needed help, guidance and compassion.

The past year, dedicated to the pastoral care of the elderly by the Holy Synod, was an opportunity to reflect on the importance of being with the elderly, offering them support and showing due respect to our elders. This concern pulsated strongly in our hearts, and our efforts were also directed to this category of people who often need help and special attention.

All these achievements were possible thanks to the tireless efforts of the parish priests, who in every community are witnesses of Christ and responsibly serve their mission. We thank you in the Name of the Holy Child, dear shepherds of souls, because you are living members of the Church and sacrifice yourselves with love for the good of your flock.

Also, we cannot overlook your involvement and generosity of every believer, from young to old, who are the pillars of our communities and bring life and vitality to the Church.

Out of love for your neighbour, you did not remain indifferent to the needs of those around you, contributing to the success of these initiatives and the joy that now surrounds our Church.

On this holy day, looking back at the blessings received and looking to the future, we urge you to keep the flame of Christian faith and love in your hearts alive.

Let us stand together one with another, with the same joy and hope, witnesses of the uncreated light brought by the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Let’s thank our Compassionate God, who helped us reach this Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, every Church takes the form of Bethlehem.

Let us kneel with our hearts and minds before the cave in Bethlehem, the Baby Jesus and His Blessed Mother.

May God embrace us all in the mercy of His boundless love, forgiveness and blessing.

Let us be engulfed by the mystery of God’s descent to us, let us strengthen ourselves in faith, hope and love, so that in turn we may spread joy, courage and salvation to those around us.

A blessed year by God with peace over our Country and the right-believing people,
Your father, servant and supplicant to God,

† Petru
Archbishop of Chișinău,
Mitropolitan of Bessarabia and Exarch of the Territories

Photography courtesy of the Metropolis of Bessarabia