Romanian govt increasing support for Bessarabian Metropolis in Moldova

The parliamentary delegation from Bucharest in Moldova. Photo: the Metropolis of Bessarabia

On June 12, 2025, a parliamentary delegation from Bucharest made an official visit to the Bessarabian Metropolis of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Moldova. The meeting took place at the residence of the head of the Metropolis, Petru (Păduraru), and, as reported by mitropoliabasarabiei, took place "within the framework of an institutional dialogue on supporting the activity of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Moldova and strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest".

Among the topics discussed, special attention was given to the "legal and administrative situation of the Bessarabian Metropolis," issues of "restitution of church property," as well as "specific support from the Romanian state".

Special emphasis was placed on the "impact of the Metropolis's activities on the spiritual, educational, and social life of Romanians in the Republic of Moldova".

The head of the metropolis expressed gratitude to the Romanian parliamentary delegation for the "constant and principled support of the authorities in Bucharest," emphasizing that the Metropolis of Bessarabia is "the only Romanian institution from the interwar period continuously present in the space between the Prut and the Dniester, with a profound mission in preserving the Romanian identity and the Orthodox faith".

In the Telegram channel "Orthodox Moldova and the World", commenting on this event, it was suggested that the issue of restitution of church property discussed at the meeting could mean the transfer of churches in Moldova to the ownership of the Bessarabian Metropolis, with active lobbying of this process by Romanian authorities.

On the same day, an agreement was signed between the Metropolis of Bessarabia and the Ministry of Culture of Moldova for the transfer of the Archangel Michael Church in Dubăsarii Vechi.

It is noted that this is the "first agreement on the direct transfer of a religious and cultural monument for protection purposes between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and the religious community of the Bessarabian Metropolis".

"The agreement represents an important step in recognition, reconciliation, and building natural cooperation between state institutions and the Romanian Orthodox Church of Bessarabia," the statement says.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova concluded a cooperation agreement with the Metropolis of Bessarabia.

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