On May 24, the working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church took place in the Synod Hall of the Patriarchal Residence, under the chairmanship of Patriarch Daniel. On the insistent request of the clergy and of the laity from the Metropolis of Bessarabia [Republic of Moldova], the Holy Synod, by secret ballot, elected His Excellency Bishop Anthony of Orhei, vicar of the archdiocese of Chişinău ,