On Thursday, July 2, 2026, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held its working session in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel.
During the session, the Holy Synod elected a new Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia and Exarch of the Territories. The candidates, proposed by the Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, were His Grace Bishop Antonie of Bălți and His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia.
By secret ballot, the Holy Synod elected His Grace Bishop Antonie of Bălți to the office and ministry of Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia and Exarch of the Territories.
The Holy Synod also elected an Assistant Bishop for the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy. The candidates, proposed by the Metropolitan Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe, were Very Rev. Archimandrite Maxim Drăguț, Economic Counsellor of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, and Very Rev. Archimandrite Porfirie Florea, Abbot of the St. Joseph the New of Partoș Monastery in León, Spain.
By secret ballot, the Holy Synod elected Very Rev. Archimandrite Maxim Drăguț as Assistant Bishop to the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, with the title His Grace Bishop Maxim of Danubius (Maxim Danubianul).
During the same session, the Holy Synod also elected an Assistant Bishop for the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. The candidates, proposed in consultation with the Standing Synod, were Very Rev. Archimandrite Iachint Vardianu of Radu Vodă Monastery in Bucharest and Very Rev. Archimandrite Antipa Burghelea of Antim Monastery in Bucharest.
By secret ballot, the Holy Synod elected Very Rev. Archimandrite Iachint Vardianu as Assistant Bishop to the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, with the title His Grace Bishop Iachint of the Pacific.
Romanian Patriarchate Press Office
Photo: Basilica.ro
