The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has elected new bishops for dioceses in Moldova, Italy, and Australia and New Zealand, in decisions taken during a meeting in Bucharest chaired by Patriarch Daniel, the Church announced.

All appointments were made by secret ballot and are expected to strengthen pastoral work and coordination in key regions with large Romanian diaspora communities.

A central decision of the Synod was the election of Bishop Antonie of Bălți as the new Metropolitan of Bessarabia. He won the vote over Bishop Veniamin of South Bessarabia. The previous head of the Metropolis, Bishop Petru, had requested to step down on health grounds, although media reports have also linked his resignation to reputational controversy.

The new metropolitan, Bishop Antonie, is a native of Moldova and a graduate of the Dimitrie Stăniloae Faculty of Theology in Iași. He has served in various administrative, missionary, and media roles within the Metropolis of Bessarabia since 1995, including as vicar of the Chișinău Diocese. Since 2018, he has held the episcopal seat of Bălți.

In Italy, the Synod appointed Archimandrite Maxim (Drăguț) as auxiliary bishop, granting him the title “Bishop of the Danube.” He will serve alongside the ruling bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, which ministers to one of the largest Romanian diaspora communities in Europe. Archimandrite Maxim, who holds an economics degree, currently works as an adviser in the economic and financial department of the Italian diocese.

Another appointment concerns the Romanian Orthodox communities in Australia and New Zealand. The Synod elected Archimandrite Iachint (Vardianu) as auxiliary bishop, with the title “Bishop of the Pacific.” He will assist the diocesan bishop overseeing pastoral care in the region.

Archimandrite Iachint previously taught canon law at the Bucharest seminary and served in the human resources department of the Patriarchal Administration. He also spent time serving the Romanian Orthodox community in the United Arab Emirates.

Church officials said the new bishops are expected to support the organization of parish life, expand pastoral outreach, and strengthen coordination across dioceses serving Romanian migrants in major global centers.