Moldovan, Transdniestrian Leaders Visit Mount Athos with Moldovan Orthodox Metropolitan

Moldovan Prime Minister Vladimir Filat and President Yevgeniy V. Shevchuk of the breakaway state of Transdniestria in eastern Moldova have begun a joint pilgrimage with Metropolitan Vladimir (Cantarean) of the Moldovan Orthodox Church to Mount Athos. The leaders are described as being "on a private visit to jointly pray at the ancient monasteries on Mount Athos." The pilgrimage is the latest in a series of informal contacts between the two. More here.

Constantinopolitan Orthodox Metropolitan Visits Transdniestria

Metropolitan Panteleimon of Beroia of the Constantinopolitan Orthodox Church in Greek-occupied Macedonia visited the breakaway Republic of Transdniestria in Moldova over the weekend at the invitation of Bishop Savva (Volkov) of Tiraspol' to celebrate the legacy of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in the formation of the Slavonic language and the conversion of the Slavs to Orthodoxy. More (in Greek) here.

Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Visits Transdniestria

Metropolitan Ahafangel (Savvin) of Odessa of the autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church has traveled to the internationally unrecognized Transdniestrian Republic on the territory of eastern Moldova to serve the reburial of an imperial Russian general in the republic. During his time in Transdniestria Metropolitan Ahafangel met with the Transdniestrian president, praising him for ensuring "that the friendship between the peoples of Kievan Rus' should be eternal and unshakable." More here.