On the Feast of Pentecost, His Eminence Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași together with Bishop Damaskinos Olkinuora of Haapsalu from the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church.
Metropolitan Teofan highlighted the importance of the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of the faithful.
“The overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, communion in the Holy Spirit, and the acquisition of the Holy Spirit are fundamental, essential spiritual states of the true Christian,” said the Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bukovina.
His Eminence explained that this work is manifested through “communion with the Holy Church,” participation in the Holy Mysteries, the “acquisition of patience and consolation from the Scriptures,” as well as through “pure and unceasing prayer, humble-mindedness, a spirit of repentance, and love for everyone and everything.”
Pentecost in the Life of the Church
Following the Gospel reading, Bishop Damaskinos Olkinuora emphasised the significance of Pentecost, noting that every Christian is called to follow the example of the Holy Apostles.
“The essential message of Pentecost for each of us is to become like the apostles, which means becoming missionaries. This is the duty of every one of us, of every Christian,” the Estonian hierarch said.
He added that the mission begins with prayer and the witness of faith in daily life:
“If I know Christ and if I have the fire of love for Him in my heart, then through love for others I can help other Christians as well.”
Bishop Damaskinos also recalled that Christian life is one of communion rather than isolation.
“We do not enter heaven alone, nor do we become citizens of heaven by ourselves, but as one Body of Christ.”
During the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Teofan ordained Ștefan Cojocariu to the diaconate.
Photo: Doxologia / Oana Nechifor
