Over 60 parishes of Orthodox Church of Moldova join Bessarabian Metropolis
Temple of the Orthodox Church of Molodova. Photo: CP in Moldova
Over 60 parishes of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate, have transferred to the Metropolis of Bessarabia of the Romanian Orthodox Church. According to the Orthodox Times publication, this shift reflects growing tensions and a desire for alignment with the Romanian Mother Church amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
One of the most recent cases was the transition of the parish of St. Alexander of Svir in the city of Cricova. Parishioners celebrated their return to the fold of the Romanian Patriarchate, reports Orthodox Times.
The parish priest, Father Andrei Percic, explained the decision: “We feel Romanian. Since the war in Ukraine began, we realized that something was wrong in the church where we all served. God does not love war.”
Father Igor Chelea, a priest at the Church of St. John the Theologian in Roșcani, also stated: “We convened an ecclesiastical council and informed the village about our decision. Everything was done legally. The Metropolis of Bessarabia welcomed us with brotherly love.”
Metropolitan Petru (Păduraru) of the Metropolis of Bessarabia expressed confidence that any sanctions imposed by the Orthodox Church of Moldova on clergy who have joined the Romanian Patriarchate are invalid. According to him, "the Russian Church is not recognized here in Bessarabia. We are Romanians, all of us, and we must belong to our nation’s church."
As reported by UOJ, Moldovan politician and leader of the opposition "Victory" bloc, Ilan Shor, stated that the President of Moldova would ban the Orthodox Church after the elections.
Read also
Unknown assailants attack Serbian Orthodox cathedral in Zagreb
The Zagreb-Ljubljana Metropolis has called on the country’s authorities to stop the language of hatred after a nighttime attack on its cathedral.
Archaeologists hope to find Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem
Researchers have proposed using innovative detectors to search for the Ark of the Covenant in underground cavities beneath Jerusalem.
Ostapenko: Kyiv Lavra exists thanks to the creation of a reserve there
The head of the Lavra reserve, Maksym Ostapenko, has announced plans to mark the 100th anniversary of the Bolsheviks’ creation of the “Museum Town” at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Foundation of 12th-century Resurrection Сhurch discovered in Grodno
Archaeologists in Grodno, Belarus, have discovered the foundation of a 12th-century church during work on the grounds of the New Castle.
Hungary prepares launch of LGBT channel amid EU policy shift
Hungary is preparing to launch an LGBT television channel, Rainbow TV, following a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union against restrictions on such content.
Turkish parliament bans social media for children under 15
Turkey has banned social media for children under 15, requiring platforms to verify users’ ages, introduce parental controls, and respond more quickly to dangerous content.