Metropolitan Antonie says the Romanian Orthodox Church was "deported" from Bessarabia during the Soviet occupationtranslated

"We, those who are in the Metropolis of Bessarabia, know what was the injustice done to our institution. It was deported just as so many blood relatives of ours were deported", said Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia in an interview for TVR Moldova.

In this historical context, the official recognition of the re-establishment of the Metropolis of Bessarabia by the European Court for Human Rights was a moment of joy, because justice was done, His Eminence said, recalling that he was personally involved in the process, along with Vlad Cubreacov and Elisei Secrieru, a lawyer.

In the interview given to journalist Lilia Țurcanu, His Eminence also referred to the concept of canonicity, which is talked about quite a lot online and in the press beyond the Prut.

"You don't need a lot of training, just like history and look carefully at what happened throughout history in this space," said the metropolitan father. "Our roots in history go down deep, deep, we go all the way to the preaching of Saint Andrew the Apostle."

Future plans

Also, Metropolitan Antonie expressed his availability for dialogue with...