Bessarabian Synod Discusses Preparation for Metropolis Centennial

On June 16, 2025, the Holy Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia held a session at the Metropolitan residence in Chișinău. The agenda included over twenty key issues aimed at enhancing pastoral, liturgical, social, cultural, and educational activities in light of the upcoming centennial of both the Metropolis of Bessarabia and the Romanian Patriarchate. This was reported by The Orthodox Times.

The meeting was chaired by Metropolitan Petru, Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Plaiuri. All hierarchs of the Metropolis attended, including Bishop Antonie of Bălți, Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, and Auxiliary Bishop Nectarie of the Archdiocese of Chișinău.

One of the resolutions was to set the date for the local proclamation of newly canonized Romanian saints originating from Bessarabia, whose names were recognized by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The Synod also decided to initiate historical and liturgical documentation on the lives of other ascetics, confessors, and martyrs from the region, with a view to potential future canonizations.

Special attention was given to education: the Synod gave a positive assessment of the local theology faculty branches opened two years ago in Chișinău by the Universities of Iași and Bucharest. The possibility of reestablishing a theological high school seminary for youth with religious vocations was also discussed.

Earlier, Archbishop Marchel of Bălți and Fălești (Orthodox Church of Moldova) had voiced concern over a possible break in relations between the Moscow and Romanian Patriarchates, citing the non-canonical activity of the Romanian Patriarchate’s Metropolis of Bessarabia on Moldovan territory. He noted that conditions for such a development exist, as some Romanian hierarchs openly receive OCM clergy under canonical sanctions.