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 demands answers from Rivne authorities over UOC charity event
Bobrovska expressed outrage that city officials allowed the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC to hold a charity festival that raised money for children with cancer.
In U.S., Archbishop of Albania leads Divine Liturgy on Triumph of Orthodoxy
The Primate of the Albanian Church served in Massachusetts and called for visible unity among Orthodox jurisdictions.
Phanar backs common Easter date with Catholics and Protestants
Theologians of the Patriarchate of Constantinople have proposed revising calendar practice and bringing the celebration of Easter closer to the Western tradition.
DESS congratulates Ukraine’s Jews on Purim
The State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience addressed Ukraine’s Jewish community on the occasion of Purim.
Patriarch Bartholomew becomes honorary professor of ecology in Greece
The Ionian University of Greece has awarded Patriarch Bartholomew the honorary title of professor in its Department of Environment.
Phanar’s shift to new calendar triggered Orthodox schism – ROCOR hierarch
Metropolitan Mark called Constantinople’s adoption of the Gregorian calendar the main source of divisions in the Orthodox world.