In conflict with the authorities of modern Romania, he was forced to resign due to his collaboration with German occupation troops during World War I.

Between 1880 and 1885, he studied Theology at Czernowitz Francis-Joseph University, in Austria-Hungary, gaining recognition as Doctor of Divinity.

[2] Metropolitan Conon's most problematic stances were expressed during World War I, a period of political division.

In 1916, Romania joined the Entente, but rapidly lost the Battle of Bucharest to the Central Powers: their armies occupied the city and forced the government to move the capital to Iași.

Conon, who stayed behind in occupied Bucharest, was persuaded by the German authorities to sign a letter to the soldiers and the Orthodox faithful in Moldavia, urging them to give up the fight against Germany.