Vitalie Marinuta Decorated by Moldovan Metropolitan Church

Chisinau, March 1, 2013 — Religious service in the army based on voluntary principles contributes to conscripts’ and service members’ patriotic, civic and ethnic education, Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta said during the ceremony of conclusion of the 2013 cooperation agreement between the National Army and the Metropolitan Church of Chisinau and Whole Moldova.

The Minister of Defense stated that having priests in the army is quite a useful thing for the military giving them the possibility to develop by means of a better comprehension of religion and Christian values.

In his turn, His Holiness Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chisinau and Whole Moldova, appreciated the cooperation between the Ministry of Defense and the Orthodox Church, which was established along with the conclusion of the Joint Declaration on July 8, 1997.

“Throughout 16 years of activity of priests in the National Army units, service members and conscripts proved to be knowledgeable in spiritual values of our nation promoted among the young generation actors”, the Metropolitan of Chisinau and Whole Moldova said.

The action plan highlights a few joint activities carried out by the two institutions, including the supply of religious books for the military unit libraries, development of religious service guidelines, meetings, seminars, discussions on religious issues with the military at risk, blessing of those deployed to multinational peacekeeping operations and others.

During the ceremony, based on the order of the Metropolitan of Chisinau and Whole Moldova, Vitalie Marinuta was decorated with the Church Merit 1^st class for promotion of Christian-orthodox spiritual values among the young generation.