Metropolitan Antonie of Basarabia leads first liturgy after enthronement

On 19 July 2026 the newly enthroned Metropolitan Antonie, Archbishop of Chișinău and Metropolitan of Basarabia, celebrated his first Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Paraclis “St. John the Theologian” in Chișinău. The service was attended by a large gathering of clergy, deacons and faithful from across the eparchy. During the liturgy he offered prayers for the unity of the Church, peace in the region and the spiritual renewal of the faithful, emphasizing humility, gratitude and charitable action. The ceremony marked the beginning of Metropolitan Antonie’s tenure and was described as a spiritually charged moment for the Orthodox community in Moldova.