Diocese of Southern Bessarabia

Romanian President Nicușor Dan visits Diocese of Southern Bessarabia

On Thursday, Romanian President Nicușor Dan visited the headquarters of the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia, where Bishop Veniamin welcomed him. The Romanian president is on an official visit to the Republic of Moldova to mark the 35th anniversary of the country’s proclamation of independence. During the meeting, held in the Chapel of the Resurrection of…

Aug 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania funds 11 church and monastery projects in southern Bessarabia

The Romanian Government, through the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova, is funding 11 projects to equip and develop churches and monasteries within the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia. The projects will be implemented between July and November 2026 and will include church painting, the production and acquisition of liturgical furnishings, the development of monastic…

Aug 20, 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

First church in Bessarabia dedicated to Saint Blandina of Iași consecrated in Cimișlia

The first church in Bessarabia dedicated to Saint Blandina of Iași was consecrated on Sunday in Cimișlia, the Republic of Moldova. The church is also placed under the protection of Saint Nicholas and Saint Eudokia. The consecration service and Divine Liturgy were celebrated by Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia together with Archbishop Casian of the Lower…

May 26, 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

Czech Ambassador highlights role of Southern Bessarabia Diocese during visit to Cahul

The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Moldova, Jaromír Plíšek, highlighted the role of the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia in community life during an official visit last Friday to the diocesan centre in Cahul. His Excellency was accompanied by Daniela Dragalin, development projects coordinator at the Embassy. The delegation was welcomed by…

Mar 31, 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

Romania’s ambassador to Republic of Moldova visits Bishop Veniamin in Cahul, discusses church projects for 2026

His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, on Tuesday, received a visit from His Excellency Leon Țurcanu, Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Moldova, at the diocesan centre in Cahul. During the meeting, the hierarch presented the diocese’s main projects and priorities for 2026, emphasising the importance of communication and dialogue for both the…

Feb 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Southern Bessarabia diocese donates mobile hospital to Ukraine’s Odesa region

The Diocese of Southern Bessarabia donated a mobile hospital to Ukraine’s Odesa region, with the official handover ceremony taking place on Saturday, when Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia presented the vehicle to the regional administration. During the visit, the bishop was accompanied by Claudiu Tătaru, Romania’s Consul General in Odesa; Alexandrin Moiseev, a member of…

Jan 27, 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

Southern Bessarabia Diocese sends 44 tonnes of aid to war-hit Ukrainians, 2025 report says

The Diocese of Southern Bessarabia supported Romanians in Ukraine affected by the war by delivering dozens of tonnes of humanitarian aid as part of a wide-ranging social and charitable campaign, according to its 2025 activity report. With the direct involvement of priests from the Ismail Deanery, humanitarian assistance was provided to the two Romanian parishes…

Jan 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu