Bessarabia

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

Romanian women in history: Presbytera Elena Alistar, physician, educator and champion of Bessarabia’s Union with Romania

Elena Alistar, the first of seven children born to Fr Vasile Balan and Presbytera Elizaveta Balan in the village of Vaisal, Ismail County, was born on 1 June 1873. She married Fr Dimitrie Alistar, who served in Răzeni, Chișinău County. During that period, she worked as a teacher for children in several villages. Sadly, her…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Republic of Moldova marks 1946-47 Soviet famine victims as bishop urges unity and remembrance

The third Saturday of April is dedicated in the Republic of Moldova to commemorating the victims of the 1946–1947 famine, during which more than 200,000 people died. On this occasion, Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia said the suffering of that time can be fully understood only in the light of Christ. He stressed that remembering…

Apr 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru: Bessarabia’s 1918 Union was a providential act, not a closed chapter

On Thursday, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia delivered a message marking the 107th anniversary of Bessarabia’s Union with Romania, emphasizing God’s work in the history of Romanians beyond the Prut River and the courage of their forebears. “Union, beloved brothers and sisters, is not a closed chapter, but a sacred work that must be…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

March 27, 1918: Bessarabia becomes first province to join Greater Romania

On March 27/April 9, 1918, Bessarabia united with Romania, becoming the first province to contribute to the creation of Greater Romania. Historical Context In the lead-up to the union, on February 25/March 5, 1918, the Protocol of Buftea was signed, extending the armistice with the Central Powers and accepting their imposed conditions. Around the same…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Interim President pays tribute to Bessarabian Union founders at Monastery ceremony

Interim President Ilie Bolojan and Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia paid tribute on Wednesday to the founders of the Union of Bessarabia with Romania, during a ceremony at Cernica Monastery in Ilfov County. The interim President of Romania was received by His Grace Bishop Veniamin and Archimandrite Vasile Pîrjol, the abbot of Cernica Monastery, in…

Mar 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

In numbers: Support for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova offered by the Diaconia Social Mission

Last month, Diaconia Social Mission published on social media relevant figures for the support it provided in 2023 to vulnerable people in the Republic of Moldova. The organisation also recently detailed the aid it provided last year to Ukrainian refugee mothers and their children. Thousands of adult refugees have received psychological, legal and vocational counselling…

Feb 22, 2024Ștefana Totorcea

Who was Protos. Iraclie Flocea: Survivor of the Stalinist Gulag proposed for canonization

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church approved, in its working session from October 25, 2023, the proposal of the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia for the canonization of Protosyncellus Iraclie Flocea (May 11, 1893 – August 16, 1964). The proposal had previously been approved by the Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia. The…

Nov 1, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Wiki Loves Monuments 2022: Photo of small wooden church in Bessarabia named among winners

A photo showing the wooden church in the village of Gîrbova, Ocnița district, Republic of Moldova, was ranked 11th in the latest edition (2022) of the Wiki Loves Monuments international competition. From over 150,000 images registered, 337 photos were selected by the jurors of the 36 national competitions. “These are the 15 best images from…

May 4, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

81st anniversary of the Fântâna Albă Massacre

April 1 became by law, adopted in 2011, a National Day honouring the memory of Romanians who were the victims of the massacres at Fântâna Albă and other areas, deportations, famine and other forms of repression organized by the totalitarian Soviet regime in Hertza region, northern Bukovina and the whole of Bessarabia. After signing the…

Apr 1, 2022Sorin Ioniţe

Bessarabia: Orthodox community builds its first church in just 40 days

One Orthodox community in the Republic of Moldova is experiencing the joy of finally having their own church. And the Church of Sts. Seraphim of Sarov, Catherine, and John (Maximovitch) in the Chișinău suburb of Floreni was built in just 40 days. His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia blessed the church with holy water on…

Dec 15, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu