Just one day after his enthronement as Archbishop of Chisinau, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories, Metropolitan Antonie chaired the first working session of the Standing Committee of the Eparchial Council of the Archdiocese of Chisinau on July 13, 2026.
The meeting took place at the Metropolitan Administrative Center in Chisinau and focused on priorities aimed at strengthening the pastoral, missionary, and administrative work of the Archdiocese.
Opening the session, Metropolitan Antonie expressed his appreciation to the diocesan counselors for their dedicated service and for their contribution to the development of the administrative, pastoral, and missionary activities of both the Archdiocese of Chisinau and the Metropolis of Bessarabia.
Members of the Standing Committee then presented reports on ongoing projects and activities within their respective departments. Discussions focused on key pastoral, administrative, social-philanthropic, educational, and cultural challenges, as well as strategic directions for future development.
Among the priorities established during the meeting was the strengthening of pastoral and missionary outreach in public institutions through the expansion of chaplaincy ministry in hospitals, schools, prisons, defense structures, law enforcement agencies, and other areas where the Church can provide spiritual and moral support.
Metropolitan Antonie also emphasized the importance of developing strong institutional partnerships with public authorities, cultural institutions, academic organizations, civil society groups, and the media in order to promote Christian values and foster responsible cooperation for the benefit of society.
The participants further highlighted the value of drawing upon the experience and successful practices of other dioceses of the Romanian Orthodox Church to develop pastoral, educational, social, and cultural initiatives adapted to the realities of Bessarabia.
Concluding the meeting, Metropolitan Antonie encouraged the members of the diocesan administration to continue their work with responsibility, unity, and a spirit of self-sacrifice. He reaffirmed that the Church’s mission must remain active and present among the people, responding with discernment to the challenges of contemporary society and the needs of the faithful.
