Metropolis of Bessarabia

Bessarabia Metropolitan urges Christians to live for God and others in Easter pastoral letter

“A person who believes in Christ the Risen One no longer lives for himself, but for God and for his neighbour. He lives out his vocation as a witness to the light, a bearer of peace and a servant of truth,” Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia said in his pastoral letter for Holy Pascha. His Eminence…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Republic of Moldova charity campaign collects nearly 100 tonnes of food ahead of Easter

Nearly 100 tonnes of food have been collected in the Republic of Moldova through the “Meal of Joy” campaign, which aims to support vulnerable people ahead of Easter. The annual national food collection drive, organised on Lazarus Saturday by the Social Mission “Diaconia”, reached its 17th edition this year and recorded a new high, according…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabian hierarchs back charity drive as Church and volunteers mobilise aid for vulnerable

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,…

Apr 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabian clergy and intellectuals increasingly see future with Romania, says Metropolitan Petru

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia said on Friday that there is growing conviction among intellectuals, cultural figures and Church servants in the Republic of Moldova that Bessarabia’s destiny lies in communion with Romania, as the 108th anniversary of the Union was marked. “We observe with great joy that, in the conscience of intellectuals in the Republic…

Mar 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Basarabia Metropolis approves Akathist to St Blandina, sets canonisation proclamation in Chisinau

Hierarchs of the Metropolis of Bessarabia met in a working session on Thursday at the Metropolitan Residence in Chisinau, where they approved the text of the Akathist to St Blandina of Iași and set the date and location for the local proclamation of her canonisation: 23 May 2026 in Chisinau. The meeting was chaired by…

Mar 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Southern Bessarabia bishop prayerfully marks 103rd anniversary of Cetatea Albă–Ismail diocese

His Grace Bishop Veniamin officiated a Te Deum service on Tuesday at the diocesan cathedral in Cahul to mark the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Cetatea Albă–Ismail, whose canonical successor today is the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia. The hierarch recalled the historical context of the diocese’s establishment, noting that the Great…

Mar 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru says Great Lent re-places our being within the horizon of eternity

The season of Great Lent, which begins on Monday in the Orthodox Church, is a “time of inner examination, of clarifying the mind and of re-placing our being within the horizon of eternity,” Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia and Exarch of the Territories said in a pastoral message. “Beyond the outward exercise of bodily abstinence, we…

Feb 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox and Catholic groups launch child protection and domestic violence prevention project in Bessarabia

The Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia has partnered with Catholic Relief Services to prevent the separation of children from their families and to combat domestic violence under a nine-month project titled “Community and Communion.” Child protection and prevention of domestic violence Implemented in the Republic of Moldova between January and September 2026,…

Feb 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop of Bălți prays for hierarchs who shepherded Bessarabia at Bucharest cemetery

Bishop Antonie of Bălți prayed on Thursday for the hierarchs who once shepherded Bessarabia and who are buried at the cemetery of Cernica Monastery, near Bucharest. Bishop Antonie lit a vigil lamp at the graves of Metropolitan Gurie Grosu of Bessarabia (1928–1936), Metropolitan Tit Simedrea of Bukovina—who served in Bălți between 1935 and 1940—and Bishop…

Feb 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Basarabia Metropolitan Petru chairs Chișinău Archdiocese assembly, presents 2025 activity report

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia chaired on Monday the Diocesan Assembly, the deliberative body of the Archdiocese of Chișinău, during which the report on the archdiocese’s activities for the past year was presented. The meeting was preceded by prayer, with a Te Deum service celebrated in the chapel of Saint John the Theologian of…

Feb 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Southern Bessarabia Diocese reports baptism growth and stronger youth engagement in 2025

The Diocese of Southern Bessarabia recorded visible pastoral growth throughout 2025, alongside greater involvement of young people in diocesan life. Figures in the diocese’s annual activity report point to an encouraging development: 889 baptisms, 350 weddings and 870 funerals were recorded, with the number of those entering the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism exceeding…

Jan 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu