The Romanian Orthodox Church has named two candidates to succeed Metropolitan Petru as head of the Metropolis of Bessarabia. Petru has retired after three decades of service amid controversy surrounding allegations circulated in video recordings. The claims have not been conclusively verified, and church officials have not publicly confirmed their authenticity.
His departure followed renewed public attention from LGBT activist Angelica Frolov, although the outgoing metropolitan did not participate in the recent Pride march in Chișinău.
Candidates for Metropolitan of Bessarabia
The first candidate is Bishop Antonie of Bălți, who has headed the Diocese of Bălți since 2018. He was among those who previously filed a case with the European Court of Human Rights concerning the registration and legal status of the Metropolis of Bessarabia in Moldova.
The second candidate is Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, 50, who has led the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia since 2018. Unlike Antonie, he has maintained a relatively low public and political profile and has not been associated with major controversies.
Synod to make final decision
The nominations will be submitted to the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church for consideration. The next Metropolitan of Bessarabia will then be selected through a secret ballot, in accordance with the church’s internal procedures.
The appointment will determine the future leadership of the Archdiocese of Chișinău and the wider Romanian ecclesiastical structure operating in Moldova.
Church remains politically contested
The Metropolis of Bessarabia remains a divisive institution in Moldovan public life. Its supporters regard it as a legitimate part of the Romanian Orthodox Church and an expression of the religious and cultural links between Moldova and Romania.
Critics, however, view it less as a religious institution than as an instrument of Romanian political and ideological influence. They argue that its expansion could deepen divisions within Moldovan Orthodoxy and weaken the country’s distinct national identity.
The election of a new Metropolitan of Bessarabia is therefore likely to attract attention well beyond church circles, particularly as competition between rival Orthodox jurisdictions continues in Moldova.
