The Romanian Ambassador Met with the New Metropolitan of Bessarabia

On July 21, 2026, a meeting took place in Chisinau between Metropolitan Anthony of Bessarabia and Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, the Romanian Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova. The parties discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in the humanitarian, educational, and cultural spheres, emphasizing their shared spiritual and national values.

According to the Orthodoxia News Agency ( ), during the conversation, which took place in an atmosphere of mutual respect, special attention was paid to issues related to the preservation of Romania’s spiritual heritage and support for communities living between the Prut and Dniester rivers. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of dialogue between the Metropolis of Bessarabia and Romanian government agencies for the implementation of significant social and philanthropic projects.

Ambassador Cristian-Leon Țurcanu congratulated His Eminence Anthony on his elevation to the rank of Metropolitan of Bessarabia, noting that this event opens up new opportunities for the development of large-scale initiatives. In turn, Metropolitan Anthony thanked the Romanian government for its ongoing support of ecclesiastical, cultural, and educational endeavors carried out under the auspices of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

The meeting participants outlined plans for further cooperation, including efforts to restore historical heritage and expand educational programs. The parties emphasized that their partnership goes beyond institutional cooperation, serving as an expression of solidarity and a commitment to preserving the identity of the Romanian people.

As a reminder, we previously reported that the Metropolis of Bessarabia, operating under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Church, may initiate proceedings to strip the Orthodox Church of Moldova (part of the Moscow Patriarchate) of its right to use more than 800 churches that have the status of historical monuments. The basis for this was a recent decision by the Chisinau Court of Appeals, which set an important legal precedent.