Synod of Romanian Church accepts resignation of Met. Petru of Bessarabia

Metropolitan Petru Păduraru of Bessarabia. Photo: mitropoliabasarabiei.md

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held a working session on June 3, 2026, at the patriarchal palace under the chairmanship of Patriarch Daniel. This was reported by Basilica.ro.

The participants officially approved the decision to dismiss Metropolitan Petru from his position as Archbishop of Chisinau and Metropolitan of Bessarabia. The Synod's resolution terminates all administrative and liturgical activities of the hierarch in his post as exarch of the territories.

The Synod's Chancellery announced the immediate commencement of procedures provided for by the Statute for the election of a new head of the metropolis. The church leadership in Bucharest is beginning to compile a list of candidates for the vacant see.

Hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church view this step as a necessary stage for the further development of ecclesiastical structures in the region. Petru Păduraru has headed the metropolis for a long period of time.

As the UOJ reported, the head of the Bessarabian Metropolia of the Romanian Church submitted his resignation. The bishop had headed the metropolia for more than thirty years after transferring from the Russian Orthodox Church in 1991. Representatives of the metropolis officially cite advanced age and health condition as the reason for his departure, while Moldovan media link the hierarch’s resignation to the publication of a scandalous video allegedly featuring Metropolitan Petru.

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