More than 1,000 join Orthodox family march led by Metropolitan Antonie in Chisinautranslated

Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia and more than 100 clergy gathered on Sunday to pray for families at the statue of St Stephen the Great in central Chisinau during a family march, "Rooted in Tradition", organized by the Archdiocese of Chisinau. They were joined by approximately 1,000 faithful.

His Eminence prayed for God's blessing upon families, for love and mutual understanding between spouses, for the upbringing of children and for peace in the home.

The prayers also included those living alone, widows and orphans, as well as people facing illness, hardship and infirmity.

Participants also offered thanksgiving to God for the blessings bestowed upon families and communities.

From the statue of the holy prince and defender of Christianity, participants proceeded along Stephen the Great and Holy Boulevard, with more families joining the procession along the way.

At the front of the march, young people wearing traditional Romanian dress carried icons, including the icon of the Romanian Patriarchate's 2026 Solemn Year, dedicated to the pastoral care of the Christian family.

The march concluded at the Buiucani District Administration, where Fr Constantin Sturzu,...