The Moldovan Orthodox Church is recommending educational institutions to start the academic year on Monday, September 2, rather than September 1, which this year falls on Sunday.

The recommendation comes after the Ministry of Education said schools were free to decide whether to start the year on September 1, as is the custom, or wait until Monday.

The Church said opting for Monday would be more suitable, considering the “Evangelical command for Sunday to be Lord’s Day” and also considering that Moldova’s population is “mostly Orthodox”.

Moreover, priests are actively urged to participate in first-day-of-school festivities on September 2 and give their blessings to students and teachers.