Priests and parishioners of the Orthodox Church on May 18 took part in a march in support of the traditional family. The event organized by the Moldovan Metropolitan Church involved President Igor Dodon and his family, IPN reports.

Before the march, a liturgy was held at the Great Saint Martyr Teodor Tiron Monastery (Ciuflea). This was attended by His Holiness Vladimir, Metropolitan Bishop of Chisinau and all Moldova. Afterward, all those attending marched along Ștetfan ce Mare și Sfânt Blvd up to the Metropolitan Cathedral “God’s Birth” in central Chisinau.

In a press release calling on the prisoners to take part in the event, the Moldovan Metropolitan Church said the traditional family reflects the Orthodox teaching, contributing thus to building a society that is well-anchored in really important values that ensure the continuity of a nation. It noted that today more than ever, the people should unite around an edificatory idea, showing that they care about our present and future and didn’t forget about the past.

Addressing those attending in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral, President Dodon said that despite multiple attempts to indoctrinate us with foreign values, over 90% of the citizens are promoters and supporters of the traditional family. “We will not allow destroying what forms the basis of our society,” he stated.

By presidential decree, 2019 was declared the Family Year in the Republic of Moldova.