Republic of Moldova

Former Romanian President Emil Constantinescu meets with Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia

On Saturday, Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia received Prof. Dr. Emil Constantinescu, former President of Romania, at the metropolitan residence in Chișinău. The meeting’s agenda was rich and diverse, covering a wide range of topics from Romanian history and culture to the challenges and prospects of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Bessarabia. During the meeting, His…

Jul 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolis holds Orthodox Youth Meeting: True friendship is built on Christ’s love and teachings

“True friendship is built on the love and teachings of Christ,” Metropolitan Petru told the 200 young participants during the Divine Liturgy, celebrated on Monday in the opening of the 2024 Meeting of Orthodox Youth in Bessarabia (ITO Bessarabia). “Let us be united in prayer and good deeds to build a strong society where our…

Jul 4, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia advocates for Moldova’s European Path on Europe Day

On the occasion of Europe Day, Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia delivered a compelling message supporting the Republic of Moldova’s European trajectory. His Eminence emphasized the importance of aligning Moldovan society with the evangelical principles of love, wisdom, and justice. Metropolitan Petru highlighted the efforts of the Metropolis to endorse the “European path,” describing it as…

May 14, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolitan meets with Moldova’s President Maia Sandu

On Good Friday, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia met with Her Excellency Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova. Metropolitan Petru discussed the objectives, pastoral duties, and social engagements of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Bessarabia. The metropolitan website reported that His Eminence emphasised the significance of peace and unity in society and…

May 4, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolitan urges to emulate myrrhbearers’ courage and confess spiritual and national identity

“We are responsible for standing upright and confessing the true faith, the true Orthodox values, defending our Romanian spiritual identity, and resembling the myrrh-bearing women,” His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia wrote in his pastoral letter for Holy Pascha 2024. “Full of courage, faith, zeal, and love, let us preach peace and forgiveness and share…

May 2, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolitan’s message on Day of Remembrance of victims of 1946-1947 famine: Never forget their suffering

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru issued a message honouring the victims of the organised famine that ravaged Bessarabia from 1946 to 1947. “We bow our heads and knees to the memory of the reposed and promise never to forget their suffering and the lesson they left us,” the Metropolitan of Bessarabia said. This commemoration takes place…

Apr 22, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Moldova holds national census: Bessarabia Metropolitan urges residents to declare their Romanian identity

In a message published on the Metropolis of Bessarabia’s official website, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru urged the faithful in the Republic of Moldova to participate in the Population and Housing Census and identify as Romanian by nationality and mother tongue. Metropolitan Petru noted that this year’s Census on Population and Housing is “a good opportunity…

Apr 18, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Synod explores ways to strengthen relations with local communities

Last week, during an extraordinary session, the Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia addressed various pastoral, missionary, social, and administrative challenges that the Romanian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Moldova faces. His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia, Bishop Antonie of Bălți, and Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia deliberated on matters pertaining to the effectiveness…

Mar 13, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church Holy Synod meets for first time this year: main decisions

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church met for a working session at Patriarch Teoctist Aula of the Patriarchal Palace on Thursday, February 29, 2024. The meeting was chaired by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The Holy Synod resolved the following: To declare 2025 as a Solemn Year of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate…

Mar 4, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolitan’s Christmas message: Priests contributed to the consolidation of communities

A few days before the old calendar Christmas celebration, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru sent a pastoral letter expressing his appreciation for the efforts of parish priests within the Metropolis of Bessarabia. “Another essential aspect of this year is the commendable efforts of the parish priests, who sacrificed themselves in every parish to serve the faithful,”…

Jan 6, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Synod held in Chisinau: Bessarabia Metropolis announces large-scale projects

The Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia met on Wednesday for a working session at the Metropolitan Residence in Chisinau. The hierarchs also met with Romania’s Secretary of State for Religious Affairs and a delegation from the Basilica Media Centre. His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia, the Bishop of Balti, and the Bishop of Southern…

Nov 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu