Metropolitan Antonie was enthroned as Metropolitan of Bessarabia on Sunday, July 12, 2026, during a ceremony held in Chișinău, in the presence of hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church, state officials from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, clergy, and faithful.
The enthronement service took place at the Church of the Holy Three Hierarchs and the Life-Giving Spring and was presided over by Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina, representing Patriarch Daniel of Romania.
Concelebrating were Archbishop Casian of Lower Danube, Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Bishops Ignatie of Huși and Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, as well as Assistant Bishops Nichifor of Botoșani, Nectarie of Bogdania, and Teofil of Trotuș.
“He is not alone in the mission before him”
In his address, Metropolitan Teofan emphasized that the new Metropolitan would have the support of the Church and the faithful in carrying out his ministry.
“He is not alone in the mission that lies before him,” Metropolitan Teofan said, noting that Christ, the Mother of God, the Romanian saints of Bessarabia, the clergy, monastics, and faithful stand alongside him.
He also highlighted the close ties between the Metropolis of Bessarabia, the Romanian Patriarchate, and the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina, describing them as part of a common effort for the spiritual benefit of Romanians on both sides of the Prut River.
“This is a new beginning”
In his enthronement address, Metropolitan Antonie described his election as a new stage in his ministry and acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead.
“This is a new beginning. The challenges will be different. It is clear that I will not succeed on my own,” he said, calling on clergy, faithful, and church institutions to work together for the growth and prosperity of the Metropolis of Bessarabia.
He stressed that the mission of the Church is shared by all its members and expressed confidence that God’s grace would guide and strengthen their common efforts.
The new Metropolitan also underscored the importance of preserving national and spiritual identity, referring to the teachings of Romanian theologian Dumitru Stăniloae and Bessarabian priest-poet Alexei Mateevici.
Tribute to Patriarch Daniel and his mother
Metropolitan Antonie recalled his years as a student in Chișinău and Iași, highlighting the formative role played by Patriarch Daniel during his tenure as Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bukovina and professor at the Faculty of Theology in Iași.
In a particularly emotional moment, he paid tribute to his mother, Feodora, whom he described as his first teacher in faith.
“She taught me how to pray; she was the one who first took me to church,” he said.
Concluding his address, Metropolitan Antonie thanked the institutions in Romania and the Republic of Moldova that have supported the Metropolis of Bessarabia and expressed his readiness to continue cooperating with all those committed to strengthening Orthodox faith and Romanian identity in the region.
Metropolitan Antonie served as Bishop of Bălți from May 2018 until his election as Metropolitan of Bessarabia on July 2, 2026.
Photo credit: Diaconia Social Mission / Ionela Donos
Source: basilica.ro
