Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia

Myrrh-Bearing Women are true models for women today, Bishop Veniamin says

The Myrrh-Bearing Women are true models for women today, Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia said on Sunday at the Parish of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Palanca, Republic of Moldova. His Grace underscored that Christian women are called to cultivate the virtues of the Myrrh-Bearing Women both in family life and in…

Apr 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian ambassador visits bishop in Republic of Moldova, backs identity and faith projects

His Grace Bishop Veniamin received the Romanian Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, on Thursday for talks focused on support for Romanian communities, cultural identity, and church projects in southern Bessarabia. The bishop thanked the ambassador for his attention to Romanians in the region and for supporting identity-related initiatives, stressing the importance of…

Apr 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Cahul chapel marks patronal feast with Paschal liturgy: ‘Be aware that Christ is with us’

The Diocesan Chapel, “Resurrection of the Lord,” in Cahul celebrated its patronal feast on Monday, the second day of Holy Pascha. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia. Referring to the Gospel according to Saint John, in which Christ grants the apostles the power to forgive sins, the bishop explained the…

Apr 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Southern Bessarabia Bishop marks 10th anniversary of parish near Paris, highlights true greatness as service

His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the “Saint Anthimus the Iberian” Parish in Auvers-sur-Oise, in the Paris metropolitan area, marking the 10th anniversary of the community’s establishment. The bishop explained the Gospel of the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, concerning the request of the sons of Zebedee.…

Apr 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop warns of rising youth addictions, distancing them from faith and family

Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia on Sunday warned that an increasing number of young people are falling prey to addictions, distancing them from faith and family. His Grace officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of Saint Nicholas in Arenii Noi, Republic of Moldova. Reflecting on the Gospel account of the healing of the demoniac…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Southern Bessarabia bishop prayerfully marks 103rd anniversary of Cetatea Albă–Ismail diocese

His Grace Bishop Veniamin officiated a Te Deum service on Tuesday at the diocesan cathedral in Cahul to mark the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Cetatea Albă–Ismail, whose canonical successor today is the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia. The hierarch recalled the historical context of the diocese’s establishment, noting that the Great…

Mar 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Southern Bessarabia Diocese reports baptism growth and stronger youth engagement in 2025

The Diocese of Southern Bessarabia recorded visible pastoral growth throughout 2025, alongside greater involvement of young people in diocesan life. Figures in the diocese’s annual activity report point to an encouraging development: 889 baptisms, 350 weddings and 870 funerals were recorded, with the number of those entering the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism exceeding…

Jan 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Veniamin warns of demographic crisis, urges support for Christian family in Republic of Moldova

Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia drew attention during his homily last Sunday to the challenges posed by the demographic crisis, highlighting the essential role of the Christian family in the birth, upbringing and education of children. His Grace emphasised the need to encourage women and mothers in order to strengthen the family and promote childbirth,…

Jan 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Veniamin highlights Church’s role in preventing domestic violence as Diaconia Mission concludes EU-backed project in southern Basarabia

Bishop Veniamin of Southern Basarabia attended on Wednesday the closing conference of the project “Love for One’s Neighbour: Empowering the Religious Community to Prevent Domestic Violence in Rural Areas,” implemented by the Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Basarabia in partnership with UNFPA, UN Women, and the European Union. The project, carried out between…

Oct 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

First Liturgy honouring newly canonised Bessarabian Hieromartyr Alexander Baltaga held in Călărași

The Holy Hieromartyr Alexander (Baltaga) of Bessarabia was commemorated on Friday for the first time since the local proclamation of his canonisation, in the “Saint Nicholas” Church in Călărași, the Republic of Moldova — the parish where the saint served for 54 years. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia,…

Aug 11, 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