Patriarchate of Romania: Elections for the Metropolitan of Bessarabia and auxiliary bishops of Italy and Australia

On Thursday, July 2, 2026, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held its working session in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest, under the chairmanship of Patriarch Daniel of Romania.

During the session, the Holy Synod elected a new Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories. The candidates, proposed by the Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, were Bishop Antonie of Bălți and Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia.

By secret ballot, the Holy Synod elected Bishop Antonie of Bălți to the office and ministry of Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories.

The Holy Synod also elected an Assistant Bishop for the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy. The candidates, proposed by the Metropolitan Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe, were Archimandrite Maxim Drăguț, Economic Counsellor of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, and Archimandrite Porfirie Florea, Abbot of the St. Joseph the New of Partoș Monastery in León, Spain.

By secret ballot, the Holy Synod elected Archimandrite Maxim Drăguț as Assistant…