Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia celebrated his patron saint the Apostle Peter at St John the Theologian metropolitan chapel in Chisinau on Sunday.
The Orthodox Metropolis of Bessarabia observes the unrevised Julian calendar, thus celebrating the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul on July 12.
During his sermon, the Metropolitan praised Saint Peter the Chief Apostle.
Metropolitan Petru recalled that when Christ asked the apostles who they thought He was, the Holy Apostle Peter spoke on behalf of all and said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
“At that answer, Jesus called him the cornerstone of the Church and entrusted him with the keys of the kingdom of heaven, which signify the power to bind and loose sins. St. Peter the Apostle was the principal preacher and a representative of the Apostles in front of the Jewish authorities. Out of all the Apostles, to him were given extraordinary powers such as the healing of the sick, the raising of the dead, even his shadow caused healing (Acts 5:15).”
After the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Petru was congratulated by Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, by other collaborators and faithful reports the website of the Metropolis of Bessarabia.
Metropolitan Petru was born on October 24, 1946, in Țiganca commune, Cahul County, Republic of Moldova.
Source: basilica.ro
