Moldovan parliament speaker has meeting with Metropolitan of Bessarabia

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu today met His Eminence Antonie, Archbishop of Chisinau, Metropolitan of Bessarabia and Exarch of the Regions. The discussions focused on preserving cultural heritage, the role of faith in society, the new law on victims of political repression and Moldova’s European path.

Following the meeting, Igor Grosu emphasized the importance of unity in society and the promotion of Christian values and mutual respect.

“We all want a united society, in which Christian values, mutual respect and the aspiration for a better life bring us closer rather than divide us,” the speaker said.

According to Igor Grosu, another topic discussed was the bad-faith exploitation of people’s faith for political and geopolitical interests.

“A separate topic was the new law on victims of political repressions, as well as the bad-faith exploitation of people’s faith for political and geopolitical interests,” Igor Grosu said.

The two also agreed to maintain active communication, particularly in the context of Moldova’s European path.

The speaker noted that European integration entailed not only respect for religious freedom and Christian values, but also the protection of human dignity and every person’s right to practice his/her faith in peace and tranquility.

During the meeting, Igor Grosu wished Metropolitan Antonie success in his new mission.

His Eminence Antonie was elected Metropolitan of Bessarabia by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church on July 2, this year. He was born on May 29, 1963, in the village of Harbovat, Anenii Noi District. The Metropolitan graduated from the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Chișinău, after which he continued his studies at the Dumitru Staniloae Faculty of Orthodox Theology from Iasi, Romania. He has been active at the Metropolitan See of Bessarabia since 1995.

In 2014, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected him Vicar Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chisinau, with the title of Bishop of Orhei, and his episcopal ordination took place on May 24, 2014, at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. Four years later, on May 24, 2018, he was elected Bishop of Balti, a position he held until his election as Metropolitan of Bessarabia.

His Eminence Petru, the former Metropolitan of Bessarabia, submitted his request to retire from the position of Archbishop of Chisinau and Metropolitan of Bessarabia on May 30.