The great saints were formed on the knees of mothers: The first veneration of the Prodromitsa Icon in a Bessarabian parishtranslated

"The history of the Church shows that the great saints were often formed on the knees of mothers who prayed incessantly," recalled Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia on Saturday, when the Icon of Our Lady of Prodromitsa was venerated in the old style in the Parish of "St. Ap. Andrei" in the municipality of Ungheni, Republic of Moldova - the first veneration of the icon in this community.

The metropolitan father mentioned that "Saint Antuza raised Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Helena guided Saint Emperor Constantine, Saint Emilia gave Saint Basil the Great to the Church, and Monica, through her tears and patience, won Blessed Augustine for Christ".

"A mother who places God at the center of her existence can become the blessing of the whole house, and her faith can open the way to salvation for the whole family", emphasized His Eminence, recalling that this year is especially dedicated to the commemoration of holy women.

"A woman of faith carries in her hands a power and a mission that the world today too little understands."

"The house where a candle is always burning, where prayer is said, where parents forgive each other, respect each other and raise their children...