Republic of Moldova

Bessarabian deportees carried their faith into Soviet exile, Romanian priest says

Fr Viorel Cojocaru, cultural adviser to the Archdiocese of Chișinău, explained in an interview with Doxa how Bessarabians deported from the province during the Soviet period preserved their faith and hope in God amid suffering. The priest said that although they were forced to abandon their homes and possessions, many of those deported “travelled with…

Aug 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian ambassador visits Diocese of Bălți, reaffirms support for Romanian communities in Republic of Moldova

Romania’s Ambassador to Chișinău, Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, met on Wednesday with Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia during an official visit to the Diocese of Bălți. During their meeting, the two reaffirmed their partnership in support of Romanian communities in the Republic of Moldova. The ambassador’s visit continued the institutional dialogue initiated in July at the Metropolitan Residence…

Aug 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie marks 24th anniversary of Metropolis of Bessarabia’s legal recognition

Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia officiated a Te Deum at the St John the Theologian Metropolitan Chapel in Chișinău on Thursday, marking 24 years since the official recognition of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, re-established after the fall of communism. The service was followed by the reading of a message from the metropolitan, who described the anniversary…

Jul 31, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie reflects on Soviet-era ‘deportation’ of Romanian Orthodox Church from Bessarabia

“Those of us who belong to the Metropolis of Bessarabia know the injustice that was done to our institution. It was deported just as so many of our fellow countrymen were deported,” Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia said in an interview with TVR Moldova. Against this historical background, the official recognition of the re-established Metropolis of…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Food Bank Moldova donates 3.5 tonnes of cherries to southern Bessarabia parishes

Food Bank Moldova has recently donated 3.5 tonnes of fresh cherries to communities within the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia. The fruit was delivered to 13 parishes in the Cahul, Cantemir and Leova districts of the Republic of Moldova. Parish priests distributed the cherries to families and elderly people in the communities they serve, bringing joy…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Basarabia’s Metropolitan Antonie pledges partnership with Republic of Moldova’s new government

The inauguration of the Republic of Moldova’s new government signifies a new beginning that coincides, providentially, with a new phase in the life of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, following the election of its new Primate, as stated by Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Vasile Tofan. “We regard this convergence as an opportunity…

Jul 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian ambassador, Metropolitan Antonie discuss joint education, heritage and social projects

His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia met on Tuesday with His Excellency Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, Romania’s Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, at the Metropolitan Residence in Chișinău. During the meeting, the two discussed joint projects in education, culture, heritage preservation, social and charitable work, and support for Romanian communities on both sides of the Prut…

Jul 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie pays tribute to Patriarch Daniel’s role in reviving the Metropolis of Bessarabia

Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia sent a message to Patriarch Daniel on Wednesday to mark his 75th birthday. In it, he highlighted the Romanian Patriarch’s decisive contribution to the revival of Romanian ecclesiastical and national life, especially to the reactivation and development of the Metropolis of Bessarabia. “History will record that our generation was blessed with…

Jul 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie calls for recovery of Basarabia’s heritage on Chișinău’s 590th anniversary

Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia issued a message on the 590th anniversary of Chișinău’s first documented mention. His Eminence called for the recovery of the historic heritage of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, saying: “We have a duty to restore this legacy to the public consciousness.” The Metropolitan recalled that the earliest known document mentioning the name…

Jul 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

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