Metropolis of Bessarabia

Bishop Veniamin: Soviet atheism and secularism have left society spiritually starved

On the feast of the Prophet Elijah (according to the unrevised calendar), His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia reflected on the spiritual needs of Moldovan society, which he said still suffers from a “hunger for the spiritual” due to decades of Soviet atheism and ongoing secularisation. Bishop Veniamin presided over the Divine Liturgy in…

Aug 7, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Chișinău to hold local canonization ceremony for Bessarabian Saints Heraclius and Alexander on August 3

The local proclamation of the canonisation of Saints Heraclius and Alexander of Bessarabia will take place on August 3 in Chișinău, the Metropolis of Bessarabia has announced. The solemn event will follow the hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated at the “Holy Apostles Peter and Paul” Church in the capital of the Republic of Moldova. The local…

Jul 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru marks Chișinău’s 589th anniversary, calls for spiritual renewal and peace

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia delivered a message on Thursday marking 589 years since the first documented mention of Chișinău. His Eminence underscored that “on this day of deep historical and spiritual resonance, we look with gratitude to the past and with responsibility toward the future.” “Chișinău is not merely a point on the…

Jul 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church launches anti-domestic violence program in Republic of Moldova

Preventing domestic violence is a priority for the Romanian Patriarchate, the Metropolis of Bessarabia, and the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău, as demonstrated by a large-scale social-philanthropic project carried out under the auspices of the Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, in partnership with the Filantropia Federation of the Romanian Patriarchate. Pilot project…

Jul 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Veniamin honors deportees to Siberia at Căușeni Parish feast: We must not forget their sacrifice and suffering

His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Monday at the patronal feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner Parish in Căușeni, according to the unrevised calendar, and offered prayers for the souls of those deported to Siberia. His Grace Bishop Veniamin spoke about the suffering of the deportees…

Jul 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Qatar Ambassador meets Metropolitan Petru in Chișinău to discuss social and interfaith cooperation

His Eminence Petru, Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories, received His Excellency Dr. Turki bin Abdullah Zaid Al-Mahmoud, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Moldova, on Wednesday at the Metropolitan Residence in Chișinău. The meeting took place in an atmosphere of mutual respect, openness, and shared…

Jun 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru urges deeper faith on Sunday of All Romanian Saints: “Holiness is also our calling”

“Today is a call to deepen our awareness that the Church does not belong only to those present, but also to those who lived in the right faith, who struggled and were sanctified on the land of this nation,” said Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia on Sunday. “We owe to all the Romanian saints the inheritance…

Jun 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

French Ambassador visits Metropolitan Petru to discuss Orthodox Church’s role in Moldova’s European Path

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia received a visit on Wednesday from Her Excellency Dominique Waag, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Moldova. The meeting marked the first official dialogue between the two institutions, intending to strengthen and develop future cooperation in spiritual, social, and cultural areas. Strengthening Cooperation…

Jun 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Local Synods propose canonization of five holy women from both sides of the Prut River

The Local Synods of the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina and the Metropolis of Bessarabia convened jointly on Thursday in Iași, Romania. During the session, the hierarchs approved proposals for the canonization of five women recognized for their saintly lives, originating from both banks of the Prut River. The Synod of the Metropolis of Moldavia…

Jun 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolis expands domestic violence prevention as Social Mission Diaconia publishes 2024 report

In 2024, the Metropolis of Bessarabia tackled domestic violence as part of its social mission, as underscored in the activity report, which highlighted the Church’s growing involvement in domestic violence prevention in the Republic of Moldova. This engagement began with the organization of the conference “Family Under the Protection of Faith: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue on Domestic Violence”, which…

Jun 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Moldovan Culture Ministry and Bessarabia Metropolis sign historic preservation pact

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and the Metropolis of Bessarabia have agreed to protect a historic monument in Dubăsarii Vechi. The partnership concerns the Church of “Archangel Michael” and the necropolis of the Donici and Macri families in Dubăsarii Vechi, both of which are listed in the official Register of Cultural Heritage of…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu