Republic of Moldova

Presidents of Romania, Republic of Moldova visit Orthodox parish near Chișinău

Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Moldovan President Maia Sandu visited on Sunday the “Protection of the Mother of God” Church in the village of Ghidighici, near Chișinău. Parish priest Maxim Melinti presented to them the old church, the new church currently under construction—dedicated to the “Transfiguration of the Lord”—and the “Island of Happiness” Social Centre,…

Aug 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

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

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