Republic of Moldova

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

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

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

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

Bishop Antonie leads memorial in Bălți for Stalinist deportation victims

Bishop Antonie of Bălți officiated a memorial service on Thursday in honor of the victims of Stalinist deportations. The commemorative event took place at a symbolic location in the city of Bălți – the train station from which thousands of people were deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan. Dozens of candles were lit near the Monument…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabian bishops plan Centennial celebrations, canonizations, and theological education expansion

The four hierarchs of the Metropolis of Bessarabia met on Monday in Chișinău for a working session under the chairmanship of His Eminence Metropolitan Petru. The decisions made concern the celebration of the Centennial of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, theological education in the Republic of Moldova, canonizations, and ecclesiastical distinctions. The Synod decided to organize…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Theology students from Chișinău visit Romanian Patriarchate, urged to be “creators of unity”

A group of master’s students enrolled at the Chișinău extension of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest visited the Patriarchal Palace on Wednesday. The students were welcomed by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia, who encouraged the young people from Bessarabia to become creators of unity. “I urge you, therefore, to preserve and cultivate…

Jun 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel congratulates Bishop Veniamin on his 50th birthday, calls him “a hierarch of accomplished deeds”

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania congratulated Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia on June 11, the occasion of his 50th birthday. In his letter, the Romanian Patriarch praised Bishop Veniamin’s dedication and accomplishments, calling him “a hierarch of accomplished deeds, a model for priests, and a support for the faithful in times of confusion.” The…

Jun 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia marks 50th birthday

His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia celebrates his 50th birthday on Wednesday. He was born on June 11, 1975, in Puhoi, Anenii Noi District, in the Republic of Moldova. He entered monastic life at Neamț Monastery in 2007 and was ordained a hierodeacon and later a hieromonk at St Anthimos Monastery in Bucharest in…

Jun 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru: Parents are a living icon for children in a spiritually noisy world

In a message marking International Children’s Day, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia emphasized the vital role of parents as models and “living icons” for their children. His Eminence described children as “the most precious treasure of the Church and of the nation,” noting their “pure souls and luminous eyes.” Quoting Saint Basil the Great,…

Jun 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu