Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia met on Saturday with teams involved in organising the 2026 “Meal of Joy” national charity campaign in the Republic of Moldova, highlighting philanthropy as an authentic expression of faith.
He conveyed a message of blessing and gratitude to the Social Mission “Diaconia” of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, the Moldova Food Bank, volunteers and all partners involved in the initiative.
Hierarchs from the dioceses of Bessarabia also personally participated in the food collection, urging the faithful to donate non-perishable goods to socially vulnerable families and elderly people living alone.
Call to generosity
His Grace Bishop Antonie of Bălți personally thanked volunteers, saying: “The ‘Meal of Joy’ reminds us that, as Christians, we are called to be kind and merciful, and to give from what little we have to our neighbours who face material hardship.”
His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia also offered prayers that the Lord may grant grace, peace, health and joy to all those who contributed to the campaign.
Church and community cooperation
Through the involvement of hierarchs, “the call to charity has reached further than ever before, in Chișinău and in more than 40 communities,” representatives of the Diaconia Social Mission said.
“The presence and blessing of the bishops is more than a sign of support—it is a true spiritual strengthening for this work, bringing together the Church and the community in care for those in need.”
Held on Lazarus Saturday in major retail networks across the country, the campaign reached its 17th edition this year, once again demonstrating the ability of communities within the Metropolis of Bessarabia to respond in solidarity to those in difficulty.
Social media influencers, actors, musicians, journalists and corporate social responsibility teams from companies operating in Moldova also contributed to promoting and mobilising support for the initiative.
Photo: Diaconia Social Mission
