Hierarch of Moldovan Church not allowed to go to Jerusalem for Holy Fire

Archbishop Marchel of Bălți and Fălești was unable to fly to Jerusalem twice. Photo: a screenshot from the video t.me/primulinmd

Archbishop Marchel of Bălți and Fălești of the Orthodox Church of Moldova was unable to fly to Jerusalem to participate in the ceremony of receiving the Holy Fire. As the hierarch explained in a comment to «First in Moldova», on April 17, 2025, he was stopped at the airport before boarding his flight to Israel.

According to the archbishop, security personnel conducted a search, drew up a protocol, but did not provide any explanations regarding the reasons for the travel ban.

«Today is Holy Thursday. Let every flesh be silent. I don’t want to say much… I still don’t understand the reason why I was not allowed to leave for Israel. Despite being a clergyman, I was searched, a protocol was drawn up, but nothing was explained. My passport was returned only after the plane had taken off,» said Archbishop Marchel.

Until the moment of departure, the archbishop was not officially warned about any restrictions on leaving the country. So far, there have been no comments from the border police or other state structures of Moldova.

Later, the archbishop attempted to fly out again. But he was again not allowed to leave the country.

«When the second attempt (to fly to Jerusalem) failed, all I can express is dissatisfaction. Nevertheless, I urge everyone to maintain the dignity and qualities that are inherent in a true Christian, especially in these sorrowful days when the Lord Christ is suffering on the cross. There were absolutely no reasons for this. We were given a protocol stating that there were no deviations, no unacceptable actions, and, in general, there were no claims against us,» said Bishop Markel, commenting on his second detention.

The clergyman noted that one of the police officers helped him get to the airport, informing him where the police posts were and how to bypass them: «I will pray for him and his family for the rest of my days.»

«The authorities managed to divide people into friends and foes even on such a holy day! But the Holy Fire will arrive in Moldova!» he assured, specifying that a number of clergymen had arrived in Jerusalem in advance.

As reported by SPJ, earlier Archbishop Marcello was fined for criticizing LGBT.

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