“I go with Paschal thoughts to the Lower Land of Moldavia,” declared the Very Rev. Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, newly elected Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău, following his election by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church on Wednesday.
The newly elected bishop will bear the title His Grace Assistant Bishop Teofil of Trotuș.
“A son of Moldavia, I left the Trotuș Valley 29 years ago to be formed as a theologian, a monk, and a servant of the Church. My journey took me all the way to the life-giving Holy Sepulchre, to the Holy Places, where I kept the Romanian lamp of prayer burning for 10 years,” said Bishop-elect Teofil during the synodal session.
He offered thanks to God, to the members of the Holy Synod, and especially to Archbishop Ioachim of Roman and Bacău, expressing his gratitude and hope for fruitful service:
“I hope to be of use with humility, an open heart, and above all, full self-sacrifice.”
“I go with Paschal thoughts to the Lower Land of Moldavia and pray that God will help me in this new ministry. I entrust myself to Your Beatitude’s prayers, and those of Your Eminences and Graces. May this service be fruitful, and may Saint Stephen the Great, the Protector of Moldavia, be a source of inspiration and courage in this new calling.”
Archimandrite Teofil, who has served as the Romanian Patriarchate’s Representative to the Holy Land, was known for bringing the Holy Light from Jerusalem each Easter. His election marks a return to his native Moldavia, after years of service abroad.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu