Moldova faithful disrupt attempted church transfer to Bessarabian Metropolis
Parishioners of the Nativity of the Theotokos Church in Grinauți. Photo: noi.md
On July 6, 2025, in the village of Grinauți, Rîșcani district, a vote took place during which the parishioners of the Nativity of the Theotokos Church decided to remain within the Metropolis of Moldova. This was reported by the information portal Noi.md.
As a result of the vote conducted in the community, the Nativity of the Theotokos Church remains within the Metropolis of Moldova: 267 votes for the Metropolis of Moldova, 9 for the Metropolis of Bessarabia, and 8 abstained.
The believers' decision was a reaction to the actions of the church's rector, Archpriest Constantin Turturianu, who unilaterally announced his intention to transfer the parish under the jurisdiction of the Metropolis of Bessarabia.
According to the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), on June 28, there was an attempt to forcibly seize the church in the village. Representatives of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, with the support of local authorities and police, tried to impose the transition against the will of the parishioners.
"Instead of protecting order and law, the police turned into an instrument of repression against Orthodox believers," stated the PSRM.
It is also noted that the mass presence of Romanian clergy and the institutional support provided to them were perceived as part of a dangerous scenario for seizing churches in Moldova, similar to events in Ukraine.
"Orthodoxy is the foundation of Moldova's spiritual sovereignty, its identity, history, and future. We will not allow the destruction of church unity under external pressure," emphasized the party.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that a hierarch of the Church of Moldova accused the Romanian authorities of seizing churches.
Read also
MP urges to ease pressure on UOC for sake of peace
Oleksii Honcharenko proposed compromises on language, historical memory, and Church issues as part of efforts to achieve peace, saying those who wish to attend the “Russian Church” should be allowed to do so.
Court takes 17th-century church in Staryi Pochaiv from UOC community
A commercial court overturned a 2018 registrar’s decision and stripped the UOC’s Ternopil Eparchy of ownership of the 17th-century church.
Vinnytsia Eparchy honors Bar Icon of the Mother of God
Metropolitan Varsonofiy celebrated the Liturgy at the Bar Convent on the feast day of the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God.
Rada speaker discusses legalization of same-sex marriage in Rivne region
Ruslan Stefanchuk suggested that sponsors of separate bills to legalize same-sex marriage personally make their case to Ukrainians.
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.