Metropolitan Petru

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

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

Metropolitan Petru marks 101 years since Chișinău Archdiocese elevated to Metropolis

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia issued a message on Monday marking 101 years since the Archdiocese of Chișinău was elevated to the rank of Metropolis through legislative acts confirmed by Royal Decree. “This anniversary recalls the foundation of the sacrificial altar in Bessarabia, built upon the labour, patience and fidelity to truth of our…

May 5, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

New church consecrated in Republic of Moldova as Metropolitan Petru praises love for God’s house

A new church was consecrated on Saturday in Cornești, Republic of Moldova, where Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia celebrated the Divine Liturgy and underscored the significance of the occasion, saying: “May God protect those who love His house.” His Eminence highlighted the enduring value of works undertaken for God and for the community. “All our work,…

Apr 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

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

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

Bessarabia’s Metropolitan Petru says Baptism is the seal of the Holy Spirit at Theophany service in Chisinau

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia celebrated on Monday the Divine Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Waters at the Metropolitan Chapel of St John the Theologian in Chisinau, as believers in the Republic of Moldova mostly follow the unrevised Julian calendar. The service was held together with an assembly of clergy from the diocesan centre, on…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru meets Romanian-Moldovan parliamentary delegation in Chișinău

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia met on Friday in Chișinău with a joint parliamentary delegation from Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The delegation from Bucharest included Laurențiu Plăeșu, Vice-President of the Romanian Senate, who led the group of lawmakers from the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, while representatives of the authorities in…

Jan 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

EU envoy meets Metropolitan of Bessarabia to discuss Moldova’s European Path

The European Union Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Her Excellency Iwona Piórko, paid an official visit on Tuesday to the Metropolis of Bessarabia, where she was received by His Eminence Petru, Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories. According to the Metropolis of Bessarabia, the meeting took place in an…

Oct 22, 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