Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia

Metropolitan Antonie attends Republic of Moldova independence anniversary, discusses dialogue with Metropolitan Vladimir

His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia attended a solemn session on Wednesday marking 35 years since the proclamation of the Republic of Moldova’s independence. The event was held at the Presidential Palace in Chișinău. The anniversary gathering was attended by President Maia Sandu of the Republic of Moldova, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, members of the…

Aug 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie commemorates St Stephen the Great’s soldiers at Battle of Lipnic anniversary

The Battle of Lipnic was commemorated on Thursday in northern Republic of Moldova. Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia celebrated the Divine Liturgy and a memorial service for the soldiers of Saint Stephen the Great who fell in the battle against the Tatars. The commemorations started at the church in Lipnic village, with attendance including local community members,…

Aug 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

From medicine to theology: Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia recounts his journey towards faith

His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia spoke on a ProTV Chișinău podcast about the path that led him from medical studies to theology and, subsequently, to monastic life. Metropolitan Antonie explained that his interest in theology began while he was studying medicine, when his psychiatry courses prompted questions about the existence of the soul and…

Aug 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan of Bessarabia on Dormition Fast: ‘Through fasting, we learn to say no to the passions’

The Dormition Fast began on Friday, 14 August, for Orthodox Christians following the unrevised Julian calendar. On this occasion, His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia issued a message urging the faithful to use the fasting period to strengthen themselves spiritually. “God gives us these days to prepare ourselves to understand the great mystery of the…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

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

Metropolitan Antonie marks 24th anniversary of Metropolis of Bessarabia’s legal recognition

Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia officiated a Te Deum at the St John the Theologian Metropolitan Chapel in Chișinău on Thursday, marking 24 years since the official recognition of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, re-established after the fall of communism. The service was followed by the reading of a message from the metropolitan, who described the anniversary…

Jul 31, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie reflects on Soviet-era ‘deportation’ of Romanian Orthodox Church from Bessarabia

“Those of us who belong to the Metropolis of Bessarabia know the injustice that was done to our institution. It was deported just as so many of our fellow countrymen were deported,” Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia said in an interview with TVR Moldova. Against this historical background, the official recognition of the re-established Metropolis of…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Basarabia’s Metropolitan Antonie pledges partnership with Republic of Moldova’s new government

The inauguration of the Republic of Moldova’s new government signifies a new beginning that coincides, providentially, with a new phase in the life of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, following the election of its new Primate, as stated by Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Vasile Tofan. “We regard this convergence as an opportunity…

Jul 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian ambassador, Metropolitan Antonie discuss joint education, heritage and social projects

His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia met on Tuesday with His Excellency Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, Romania’s Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, at the Metropolitan Residence in Chișinău. During the meeting, the two discussed joint projects in education, culture, heritage preservation, social and charitable work, and support for Romanian communities on both sides of the Prut…

Jul 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie calls for recovery of Basarabia’s heritage on Chișinău’s 590th anniversary

Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia issued a message on the 590th anniversary of Chișinău’s first documented mention. His Eminence called for the recovery of the historic heritage of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, saying: “We have a duty to restore this legacy to the public consciousness.” The Metropolitan recalled that the earliest known document mentioning the name…

Jul 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia new Metropolitan Antonie chairs first meeting of Chișinău Archdiocese leadership

On Monday, July 13, just a day after his enthronement as Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories, Metropolitan Antonie led the inaugural working session of the Standing Committee of the Archdiocesan Council of Chișinău. The meeting took place at the Diocesan Centre in Chișinău and marked the beginning of the…

Jul 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu