The Romanian Government, through the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova, is funding 11 projects to equip and develop churches and monasteries within the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia.
The projects will be implemented between July and November 2026 and will include church painting, the production and acquisition of liturgical furnishings, the development of monastic facilities, and preparations for the consecration of several places of worship.
At the Diocesan Cathedral in Cahul, the project provides for the continuation of the interior mural painting, with 319 square metres of church frescoes to be completed.
Financial support for churches
Church painting works are being funded at the churches in Vadul lui Isac and Giurgiulești, while projects in Manta and Gotești involve creating icons for the iconostases. The churches in Aluatu and Palanca will receive liturgical furnishings carved in the traditional Romanian style, including iconostases, episcopal thrones, icon stands and choir stalls.
Financial support will also go towards continuing plastering and finishing works and preparing the interior walls of St Nicholas Church in Anenii Noi for future church painting.
In Cania, the project also includes a conference titled Romanian Orthodox Church Art – An Expression of Faith, Identity and Continuity in Bessarabia, in addition to the acquisition of liturgical furnishings.
Two monasteries to receive support
Găvănoasa Monastery will receive church furnishings carved in the traditional Romanian style, along with a sound system for services and other religious activities.
A separate project is dedicated to the Holy Trinity Monastery in the village of Roșu, Cahul District, where the monastic residential building will be completed and furnished. The project will also purchase kitchen furniture, beds, mattresses, wardrobes, tables, desks, and other equipment required for monastic life and for accommodating pilgrims.
According to figures provided by the diocese, the total value of the projects funded by the Romanian Government exceeds 2.7 million lei. The investments are intended to develop church infrastructure and to preserve Romanian artistic, spiritual, and cultural identity within communities in Bessarabia.
Photo: Diocese of Southern Bessarabia
