The President of Romania discussed the "return of church property" in Moldova with the head of the Bessarabian Metropolis in Chisinau

During his official visit to the Republic of Moldova, timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence, Romanian President Nicușor Dan visited the residence of the so-called Bessarabian Metropolis in Chișinău. The head of state met with the head of the organization, Metropolitan Antony (Telembich) of the Romanian Orthodox Church, to “discuss issues of church-state cooperation and support for Romanian communities in the region.”

During the meeting , Metropolitan Antonie briefed the Romanian leader on the results of the Metropolis’s long-standing activities in the pastoral, educational, and social-charitable spheres. The hierarch emphasized that the support of the Romanian government and the Romanian Patriarchate had become “a decisive factor in the restoration of churches and the strengthening of spiritual ties between the banks of the Prut River.” The parties also discussed pressing challenges, including “the need to return church property expropriated during the years of Soviet rule.”

President Nicușor Dan expressed his willingness to continue supporting the Metropolis of Bessarabia in fulfilling its mission, emphasizing the particular importance of preserving cultural and religious identity. As a symbol of historical unity, Metropolitan Anthony presented the president with an icon of the holy martyr Alexander of Bessarabia, and the Romanian head of state presented the Metropolis with Romania’s national tricolor.

As a reminder, Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and All Moldova and Metropolitan Anthony, head of the Bessarabian Metropolis of the Romanian Patriarchate, recently held an official meeting during which they discussed prospects for developing dialogue between the two church structures. The event took place on August 26, 2026, at the presidential residence as part of the celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the Republic of Moldova’s independence.