Metropolis of Bessarabia

Bessarabia new Metropolitan Antonie chairs first meeting of Chișinău Archdiocese leadership

On Monday, July 13, just a day after his enthronement as Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories, Metropolitan Antonie led the inaugural working session of the Standing Committee of the Archdiocesan Council of Chișinău. The meeting took place at the Diocesan Centre in Chișinău and marked the beginning of the…

Jul 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia enthroned in Chișinău, calls for unity and shared mission

His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia was enthroned on Sunday, July 12, in Chișinău in the presence of several hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Romanian Secretary of State for Religious Affairs Ciprian Olinici, and senior officials from the Republic of Moldova, who attended the Divine Liturgy and enthronement ceremony held at the Church of…

Jul 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox clergy commemorate victims of 1949 Soviet deportations in Republic of Moldova

Victims of the 1949 Soviet deportations were commemorated on Monday across the Republic of Moldova, marking 77 years since one of the largest waves of Stalinist repression in the region. Memorial services were organised in numerous parishes of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, where clergy, public officials and faithful honoured those who suffered under the communist…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Synod elects Bishop Antonie of Bălți as Metropolitan of Bessarabia

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected Bishop Antonie of Bălți on Thursday as Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia and Exarch of the Territories. The decision was made during the Synod’s working session held under the chairmanship of Patriarch Daniel in the Patriarch Teoctist Aula Magna at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest.…

Jul 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Two bishops nominated for election as Metropolitan of Bessarabia

Two candidates for the office of Metropolitan of Bessarabia were nominated on Saturday, following the proceedings of the Metropolitan Synod convened in Chișinău. Following consultations and a secret ballot, the members of the Synod proposed His Grace Bishop Antonie of Bălți and His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia as candidates for the office. After…

Jun 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Diaconia reached 70 communities and mobilised 1,200 volunteers in Republic of Moldova last year

The Social Mission Diaconia expanded its activities across the Republic of Moldova throughout 2025, reaching 70 communities and mobilising more than 1,200 volunteers. The social service arm of the Metropolis of Bessarabia supported 26,564 beneficiaries last year through 18 projects. According to the annual report, Diaconia volunteers responded to local community needs, while community centres…

Jun 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolis of Bessarabia launches mobile educational program for children across Republic of Moldova

The Social Mission Diaconia of the Metropolis of Bessarabia has launched the sixth edition of its Ludobus – Messenger of Electrical Safety project, which will bring educational activities to children in ten localities across the Republic of Moldova this summer. The Ludobus is a minibus equipped with a mobile library of creative games that travels…

Jun 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Synod accepts retirement of Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia

On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church convened for a working session in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The Holy Synod approved the retirement of Metropolitan Petru Păduraru from his ministry as Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru seeks retirement; Metropolitan Teofan named interim head of Bessarabia

Regarding the situation in the Metropolis of Bessarabia, we wish to clarify that on 27 May 2026, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru, Archbishop of Chișinău and Metropolitan of Bessarabia, submitted his request to retire from the ministry of Archbishop and Metropolitan due to age, health considerations, and for the good of the Church. The request will…

Jun 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

First church in Bessarabia dedicated to Saint Blandina of Iași consecrated in Cimișlia

The first church in Bessarabia dedicated to Saint Blandina of Iași was consecrated on Sunday in Cimișlia, the Republic of Moldova. The church is also placed under the protection of Saint Nicholas and Saint Eudokia. The consecration service and Divine Liturgy were celebrated by Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia together with Archbishop Casian of the Lower…

May 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan of Bessarabia sends birthday message to Moldova’s President Maia Sandu

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia and Exarch of the Territories sent a congratulatory message on Sunday to Moldovan President Maia Sandu on the occasion of her birthday. “The anniversary you mark today offers the natural opportunity to express our appreciation for the efforts with which you serve the Republic of Moldova at a time when our…

May 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu