Court ruling bars Metropolis of Moldova faithful from entering a church

Archbishop Petru of the Orthodox Church of Moldova outside the church in the village of Dereneu. Photo: Bloknot Moldova

On February 8, 2026, in the village of Dereneu in Călărași District, believers of the Orthodox Church of Moldova were not allowed into their church following a court ruling on ownership, forcing the Divine Liturgy to be served outdoors, Bloknot Moldova reports.

According to the report, police sealed off access to the church after the Supreme Court of Justice issued a final decision establishing ownership in favor of the Bessarabian Metropolis of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Last Sunday, several believers, together with Archbishop Petru of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, were prevented from entering the church by law enforcement officers. As a result, the service was held in the churchyard.

The eparchy stated that on February 8, on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Archbishop Petru arrived at the parish of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Dereneu at the invitation of local authorities and the faithful, amid a protracted conflict surrounding the church. It is noted that for nearly two weeks the entrance has been blocked by police and gendarmes, depriving parishioners of the ability to take part in services inside the building.

After the Gospel reading, Archbishop Petru addressed the faithful with words of support, stressing that the community is passing through a time of serious trials. He urged them to preserve their faith and unity, assuring the parishioners that he is praying for peace and calm within the community.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Moldova, parishioners defended a Metropolis of Moldova church from a forcible takeover.

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