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Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia presided over the first meeting of the Permanent Diocesan Council of the Archdiocese of Chisinautranslated

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

On Monday, the day after his enthronement as Archbishop of Chisinau, Metropolitan of Bessarabia and Exarch of Plaiurilor, His Holiness Father Antonie presided over the first working session of the Permanent Diocesan Council of the Archdiocese of Chisinau.

The meeting was held at the Diocesan Center in Chisinau and marked the beginning of the administrative activity carried out under the coordination of the new metropolitan.

At the beginning of the meeting, His Eminence addressed the diocesan councilors with a word of blessing and appreciation, thanking them for the responsibility with which they contributed to the development of the administrative, pastoral and missionary activity of the Archdiocese of Chisinau and the Metropolis of Bessarabia.

Next, the members of the Permanent Diocesan Council presented the status of the projects and activities in each sector of activity, the main pastoral, administrative, social-philanthropic, educational and cultural challenges were analyzed, as well as the development directions for the next period.

Activity priorities During the meeting, several priorities were established for the consolidation of pastoral-missionary work and the presence of the Church in...

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (16) 🌐 Show original

Христина Панченко

Thank God that the new metropolitan got down to work right away. It is good that at the first meeting they discussed both pastoral challenges and social assistance, and what is planned next. We will pray that everything goes well with him in Chisinau.

Mateusz Nowak

It's good that immediately after the enthronement he took up specific work, and not just speeches. I'm most curious about what they agreed on matters of philanthropy and helping people, because in Hajnówka this is always the most urgent thing. I will remember you in prayer.

Dragan Milošević

Praise be to God that immediately after the enthronement he sat down with the people and started working concretely. Here in Niš, it's always the most difficult with social assistance and philanthropy, so I'm interested in what they have solved for those things there. I will be in prayer for him and for Chisinau.

Aleksandar Stojanović

I agree, that's a good sign that he didn't wait. Here in Niš, philanthropy often gets stuck on finances and organization, so I'm interested in whether they have already determined something specific for social assistance or are still just collecting data. I am also keeping it in prayer.

Xenia Brown

Mă bucur că a început direct cu o ședință concretă la Centrul Eparhial și că au vorbit despre provocările social-filantropice de la bun început. La noi în parohie ajutorul pentru bătrâni și familii totdeauna e primul care se împiedică de lipsa de fonduri, așa că sunt curioasă ce priorități au pus acolo. O să-l pomenesc la rugăciune.

Dorota Wiśniewska

It's good that he immediately got down to specifics, especially philanthropy. In Lublin, helping people also comes first, especially for the elderly and families in need. What exactly is the most urgent thing in Hajnówka right now?

Teodora Jovanović

I agree, Dragan, that's a good example of how the new metropolitan immediately takes the job into his hands. Here in Niš, social assistance often gets stuck on the fact that there are not enough volunteers to distribute packages, so I wonder if they in Chisinau have already mentioned some specific action for poor families. I am also keeping it in prayer.

Gregory Mitchell

I agree, starting with the practical side right away shows he's not wasting time. In our parish we've had the same struggle keeping the pantry stocked for the older folks, so I'd be interested to hear what kind of funding ideas they come up with. I'll remember to mention him too.

Marija Savić

Thank you Teodora, you are right that he got down to business right away. Here in Kragujevac, we had a similar problem with volunteers for packages last year, so in the end we included a couple of natives from the parish who came forward themselves. Did they mention any specific action for poor families in Chisinau or are they still waiting? I am also keeping it in prayer.

Radmila Ilić

Thank you Marija, you are right that he immediately accepted the job, that is a good sign. Here in Novi Sad, last winter we worked similarly with packages, so two grandmothers from the choir brought us a sack of flour and oil themselves, and that's how we started. Have they already set a date for a first philanthropic action in Chisinau or are they still collecting proposals? I keep you in prayer.

Branislav Stanković

Thank you Radmila, it's nice that you mentioned those grandmothers from the choir - that's a real example of how philanthropy starts from the heart and not from big plans. In Chisinau, they are still collecting proposals, as far as I have seen, but there is already talk of a pre-Christmas event for the elderly. I am also praying that it will go well.

Katarina Jovanović

Yes, I agree, those grandmothers from the choir are living proof that everything starts with small steps. In Chisinau, they also mentioned some plans for social assistance for the elderly before Christmas, I hope it will be launched soon. Have you seen whether they have already determined the specific parishes that will lead it?

Zoran Milošević

Yes, I agree with you, Branislav, philanthropy really starts with those grandmothers from the choir who sing and cook for others without any fanfare. In Chisinau they also mentioned some projects for social assistance, but I am glad that they are already thinking about a pre-Christmas campaign for the elderly - that is what is needed. Have you heard if they will include some parishes from the surrounding area, not just the center?

Ana Kostić

Yes, Zoran, that's how philanthropy starts - from those grandmothers who work quietly without a microphone. In Chisinau, they also mentioned pre-Christmas help for the elderly, and I heard that they will also include parishes from the surrounding area, at least those closer to Prilip and Orhei. I hope that our people from Serbia will somehow join with the packages, at least through the Red Cross.

Bojana Lukić

Yes, Anna, philanthropy really comes from those quiet grandmothers and packages for the elderly. I heard that in the parishes around Orhej they have already started collecting flour and oil for pre-Christmas packages. Maybe our people from Belgrade could send something specific through the Red Cross, say warm socks or pressure medicine - what do you think, have you heard any details about that?

Zoran Živković

Yes, Bojana, you grandmothers from the parishes around Orhei are the ones who hold everything together. I heard that they have already collected over 200 kg of flour, and for blood pressure medicine, I would personally add something against rheumatism because I know how their joints suffer in winter. Do you think that the Red Cross from Belgrade could also send woolen socks in larger numbers?