Romania’s Ambassador to Chișinău, Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, met on Wednesday with Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia during an official visit to the Diocese of Bălți.
During their meeting, the two reaffirmed their partnership in support of Romanian communities in the Republic of Moldova.
The ambassador’s visit continued the institutional dialogue initiated in July at the Metropolitan Residence in Chișinău and focused on the spiritual, cultural, and identity-building projects developed in northern Bessarabia.
Projects supported by the Romanian state
The programme began with visits to several church construction projects funded by the Romanian Government, through the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs, with the support of the Romanian Patriarchate.
The delegation inspected work on the Church of St Theodora of Sihla in Sîngerei, the Church of St Anthony the Great and St Stephen the Great in Bălți, and the Episcopal Chapel of All Romanian Saints, built with the support of Hadâmbu Monastery and the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs.
During the tour, church representatives presented the progress of the projects and highlighted their impact on ecclesiastical and community life in northern Moldova.
Support for the Diocese of Bălți
At the diocesan headquarters, Metropolitan Antonie and Ambassador Cristian-Leon Țurcanu reviewed the main pastoral, educational, social, and infrastructure projects developed by the diocese over the past few years.
The Metropolitan of Bessarabia thanked the Romanian authorities for their continued support of Romanian communities in the Republic of Moldova.
“The Metropolis of Bessarabia and the Romanian State each fulfil their own mission, yet both serve the same fundamental values: faith, culture, education, identity, and human dignity.”
He added that the support provided represents “an investment in the spiritual and cultural future of this land,” stressing that every church and every educational or social project contributes to strengthening Romanian identity and developing local communities.
For his part, Ambassador Cristian-Leon Țurcanu said that Metropolitan Antonie’s experience in developing the Diocese of Bălți provides a solid foundation for his new ministry as Metropolitan of Bessarabia.
“I particularly appreciated his heartfelt commitment to preserving our shared Romanian traditions and identity on this side of the Prut River,” the diplomat wrote on his personal Facebook page.
A gesture of gratitude
At the conclusion of the visit, Metropolitan Antonie presented Ambassador Cristian-Leon Țurcanu with the diocesan Cross of Bălți award for laity in recognition of his support for the Diocese of Bălți and the Metropolis of Bessarabia.
The distinction honours contributions to diocesan projects, the promotion of Romania’s national interests, and consistent support for the Romanian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Moldova and its communities.
The visit concluded with a renewed commitment to developing projects dedicated to preserving the Orthodox faith, Romanian identity, and the spiritual heritage between the Prut and Dniester rivers.
Photo: Facebook / Metropolis of Bessarabia
