Head of the Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia resigns for health reasons

The head of the Romanian Patriarchate’s Metropolitanate of Bessarabia, Petr Paduraru, has officially asked the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church to be relieved of his post. According to Orthodoxia News Agency with reference to the press service of the Romanian Patriarchate, the petition to retire was submitted on May 27, 2026.

In an official appeal, Metropolitan Peter indicated that the decision was made for reasons of advanced age and health, as well as based on “the interests of the Church.” The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church is expected to consider and approve the petition during a scheduled meeting to be held on June 3 and 4, 2026.

Due to the upcoming change of leadership, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania has appointed a successor to the vacant See. His Eminence Theophanes, Archbishop of Iasi, will temporarily fulfill the duties of the head of the Metropolis of Bessarabia. This appointment will be valid until the elections of the new head of the Metropolitanate of Bessarabia, as provided for by the Church Charter.

Recall, earlier we reported that the Metropolitanate of Bessarabia, operating under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Church, may initiate a procedure to deprive the Orthodox Church of Moldova (as part of the Moscow Patriarchate) of the right to use more than 800 churches that have the status of historical monuments. The basis for this was a recent decision of the Chisinau Court of Appeal, which set an important legal precedent.