Bucharest, October 25, 2023
Prodromu Skete on Mt. Athos. Photo: basilica.ro
The bicameral Romanian Parliament has adopted a draft law stipulating state assistance to a Romanian skete on Mt. Athos and the Metropolis of Bessarabia—the Romanian Orthodox Church’s jurisdiction in Moldova.
The Senate adopted the relevant bill on October 16, and the Chamber of Deputies adopted it on Monday. In particular, the bill provides for the allocation of $2.1 million (2 million euros) to both the Prodromu Skete and the three dioceses of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, reports the Basilica News Agency.
Prodromou Skete, which belongs to the Great Lavra, was founded in 1820, during the time of His Eminence Metropolitan Veniamin (Costachi) of Moldavia. Its foundation was recognized by the royal deeds signed by Grigorie Alexandru Ghica of Moldavia, on July 7, 1853, and by Carol I of Romania, on July 19, 1871. The construction of the monastic ensemble took place pace between 1852 and 1866 under Hieroschemamonk Nifon Ionescu.
Recognizing its importance in Romanian history, the state has been providing funds to the monastic habitation at least since 2009, in increasing amounts. From 2017 to 2019, the state allocated 250,000 euros to the skete, and in 2020, the amount was raised to 960,000 euros.
The funds, to be paid in an equivalent sum of Romanian lei, will be allocated through the budget of the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs.
Following its adoption by the Chamber of Deputies, the bill will be sent to the president for promulgation. According to the Romanian constitution, the President has the right to return the bill to Parliament for reconsideration one time. Once it is returned to him after reconsideration, he promulgates the law within 10 days.
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