The Synod of the Romanian Church accepted the resignation of Metropolitan Peter of Bessarabia
The Synod Chancellery announced preparations for the election of a new head of the metropolia and the formation of a list of candidates.
The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held a working session on June 3, 2026, at the patriarchal palace under the chairmanship of Patriarch Daniel. This was reported by Basilica.ro.
The participants officially approved the decision to dismiss Metropolitan Petru from his position as Archbishop of Chisinau and Metropolitan of Bessarabia. The Synod's resolution terminates all administrative and liturgical activities of the hierarch in his post as exarch of the territories.
The Synod's chancellery announced the immediate commencement of procedures provided for by the charter for the election of a new head of the metropolia. The church leadership in Bucharest is beginning to form a list of candidates for the vacant see.
The hierarchs of the Romanian Church view this step as a necessary stage for the further development of church structures in the region. Petru Paduraru had headed the metropolia for an extended period of time.
As SPJ reported, the head of the Bessarabian Metropolia of the Romanian Church submitted his resignation. The bishop had headed the metropolia for more than thirty years after transferring from the Russian Orthodox Church in nineteen ninety-one. Representatives of the metropolia officially cite advanced age and health condition as the reason for his departure, while Moldovan media link the hierarch's resignation to the publication of a scandalous video in which Metropolitan Petru allegedly appears.
