Bessarabian Metropolitan on Relations with the Moldovan Metropolis: We Seek Understanding

Metropolitan Anthony of Bessarabia stated that it is necessary to change the approach to relations with the Metropolis of Moldova, which is subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate. The hierarch noted that tensions between the two church jurisdictions must be overcome through meetings, prayer, and dialogue in order to prevent violence such as incidents in Grinauti, Riscani District, and Dereneu, Calarasi District. At the same time, the hierarch emphasized that openness to dialogue does not mean renouncing the rights claimed by the Metropolis of Bessarabia, unimedia.info reports. He stated that he would like to meet with representatives of the Moldovan Metropolis and believes they should begin with a joint prayer. “I hope that we will have meetings with representatives of the Metropolis of Moldova, and, of course, I think the first thing we should do is pray together, because only through prayer can the Lord guide us,” the hierarch noted. He referred to the outcome of the meeting between delegations from the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, which took place in Chisinau in 1999. At that time, the sides spoke of the need to move “from hatred and confrontation to understanding and cooperation.” “That is what we want as well: understanding and cooperation,” Anthony emphasized. According to the hierarch, there are level-headed priests and hierarchs in the Metropolis of Moldova who “are aware of the historical realities and reject aggressive behavior.” Anthony believes that dialogue should begin with those who are open to such a discussion. At the same time, the Metropolitan of Bessarabia clarified that a willingness to engage in dialogue does not mean renouncing the rights claimed by the Metropolis of Bessarabia. He recalled the restoration of the Metropolis in 1992 and the need to restore its rights and return its assets. In this context, the hierarch also mentioned the situation involving certain churches that have become the subject of disputes between two ecclesiastical structures, including churches in Grinauti, Riscani District, and Dereneu, Calarasi District. “But we will proceed through legal channels and believe that the situation there (in Dereneu) will be resolved in due course,” the hierarch stated. In July 2025, in Grinauti, Riscani District, a conflict escalated into violence after Priest Constantin Turtureanu announced his transfer to the Metropolis of Bessarabia. A group of local residents, supporters of the Metropolis of Moldova, attacked him and forced him out of the church. The priest’s wife filmed the incident, and the footage subsequently caused a broad public outcry. Representatives of the Metropolis of Moldova stated that the reaction of the local community had acted out of emotion. In the case of Dereneu in the Calarasi District, the scandal erupted in late January 2026. There, representatives of the Metropolis of Moldova, led by the village mayor, physically attempted to prevent the transfer of the church to the Dormition of the Mother of God Religious Community, led by Father Florinel Marin.