His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia attended a solemn session on Wednesday marking 35 years since the proclamation of the Republic of Moldova’s independence. The event was held at the Presidential Palace in Chișinău.
The anniversary gathering was attended by President Maia Sandu of the Republic of Moldova, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, members of the country’s first Parliament who voted for the Declaration of Independence on 27 August 1991, members of the current Parliament and Government, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps, religious denominations and public institutions.
The meeting took place in the hall where the act proclaiming the independence of the Republic of Moldova was adopted.
During the event, participants recalled the stages that preceded the historic moment and the aspirations of Moldovan society in the early 1990s.
The anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the responsibility of present generations to preserve the values and freedoms secured 35 years ago.
Dialogue and cooperation
During the anniversary event, Metropolitan Antonie held a discussion with Metropolitan Vladimir of Chișinău.
The two metropolitans expressed their willingness to continue direct communication and identify ways of deepening dialogue.
The initiative comes amid efforts to foster understanding between Church communities and cultivate a climate of peace and responsibility in society.
Bishop Anton Coșa of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chișinău also attended the event. Metropolitan Antonie highlighted the cooperation between the two Church structures operating in the Republic of Moldova, particularly in the social and charitable field.
At the conclusion of the solemn session, the Metropolitan of Bessarabia spoke with state officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of various institutions and organisations, reaffirming his willingness to contribute to the good of society through dialogue and service to the community.
Photo: Metropolis of Bessarabia
