Metropolis of Bessarabia

Bessarabian Orthodox priests trained to address domestic violence and gender stereotypes

A group of priests from the Metropolis of Bessarabia is participating in a training-of-trainers course titled “Domestic Violence and Combating Stereotypes in the Orthodox Perspective,” held on February 17-18. The training is organized by the Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia in partnership with UN Women Moldova. One of the trainers is Father Ciprian…

Feb 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Republic of Moldova establishes “Council of Memory” to commemorate victims of communist repression

The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and Research of Moldova have recently established the “Council of Memory,” a consultative body dedicated to honouring the victims of political repression under the totalitarian communist regime (1917-1990). The founding order was signed on February 7 by Ministers Sergiu Prodan and Dan Perciun, aiming to contribute…

Feb 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

New assistant bishop ordained for Chișinău Archdiocese amid Centennial celebrations

The Patriarch of Romania, the Metropolitan of Bessarabia and other Romanian hierarchs performed the ordination to the episcopate of the new assistant bishop of the Chișinău Archdiocese during a solemn liturgy held Sunday at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. Archimandrite Nectarie Clinic, the former abbot of Sihăstria Putnei Monastery in Suceva County, was elected by…

Feb 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Archimandrite Nectarie Clinci to be ordained as Assistant Bishop of Chișinău Archdiocese at Bucharest Patriarchal Cathedral

The Very Rev. Archimandrite Nectarie Clinci from Sihăstria Putnei Monastery in Suceava will be ordained as Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chișinău, following his election by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The Metropolis of Bessarabia has announced that the ordination will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the Patriarchal…

Feb 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod elects Archimandrite Nectarie Clinci as Assistant Bishop of Chișinău Archdiocese

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected Archimandrite Nectarie Clinci, abbot of Sihăstria Putnei Monastery, as Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chișinău on Wednesday evening. The newly appointed bishop will bear the title “His Grace Bishop Nectarie of Bogdania, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chișinău.” With his election, the Metropolis of…

Feb 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Moldova Census reveals Orthodox majority, rising urbanization, and aging demographics

The National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova has released the preliminary results of the 2024 Population Census, conducted last year. The data shows that while 95% of the population identifies as Orthodox Christian, the country’s total population has decreased by nearly 14% compared to the previous census conducted a decade ago. Another…

Jan 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Historic invitation: Romanian Patriarch may visit Republic of Moldova for first time

The hierarchs of the Metropolis of Bessarabia have expressed their desire for the Romanian Patriarch to visit the Republic of Moldova. This could mark the first visit of a Romanian Patriarch beyond the Prut River. The invitation was formalized following the Metropolitan Synod held Thursday in Chişinău. The Synod expressed its intention to officially invite…

Jan 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Local Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia charts path for 2025

The Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia convened Thursday for a working session chaired by His Eminence Metropolitan Petru, Archbishop of Chişinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories. Joining him were Bishop Antonie of Bălți and Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, as the Synod delved into key matters concerning the spiritual, pastoral,…

Jan 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru highlights the Church’s role in preserving national identity on National Culture Day

On Wednesday, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia delivered a message to mark the National Culture Day, emphasizing that this celebration transcends geographical boundaries and unites both banks of the Prut River “in a single spirit of Romanian identity and Orthodox spirituality.” How the Church preserved national identity The Metropolitan of Bessarabia highlighted the pivotal…

Jan 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru urges kindness, aid, and prayer for the needy in his Christmas encyclical

“Let us offer those in need a kind word, material aid, or a prayer, fulfilling the words of the Savior: ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me,’” urged Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia in his pastoral letter for the celebration of the Nativity of…

Jan 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop of Southern Bessarabia’s Christmas pastoral letter: A call to compassion and unity

In his pastoral letter for Christmas, which is celebrated in the Metropolis of Bessarabia on January 7 according to the unrevised Julian calendar, Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia urged believers to embody God’s compassionate love for those in suffering. “Let us become the hands of God’s merciful love for our neighbors in distress, and like…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu