Moldova lacks capacity to maintain 800 temples it intends to seize from Church
Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan. Photo: realitatea
Moldova's authorities have announced their intention to "return" to state ownership more than 800 religious buildings currently in use by the Orthodox Church of Moldova. According to Culture Minister Cristian Jardan, following the Court of Appeals ruling declaring the previous agreement invalid, these historical monuments should be transferred to the state, reports realitatea.md.
"These more than 800 historical monuments are returning to the state. I'll be honest: we, as a ministry, do not have the capacity to manage 800 monuments. Imagine, that's 800 buildings," the minister stated.
Jardan claims that the authorities are awaiting the final court decision, but are already planning to conduct an assessment of the buildings' condition. According to him, it is necessary to determine the state of the churches and what resources will be required for their maintenance. "There are several options, but we are waiting for the final decision," he stated.
The minister also believes that the issue is of a delicate nature and requires a "proper and balanced approach" to avoid social conflicts.
As the UOJ reported, at the end of 2025, the Chisinau Court of Appeals made a decision to annul the right of use by the Moldovan Metropolia of more than 800 religious buildings with the status of historical monuments.
Read also
UOC's Sign Church damaged in Kherson air strike
In Kherson, Russian airstrikes shatter windows and damage the façade of the UOC’s Church of the Sign.
Yelensky: Not recognizing OCU means indirectly denying Ukrainian statehood
Viktor Yelensky believes that Local Churches that do not recognize the OCU thereby indirectly fail to recognize Ukrainian statehood as well.
UOC Lavra priest urges believers to accept hardships with gratitude
Archpriest Heorhiy Boyko at the prayer vigil near the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra recalled the sufferings of Great Martyr George the Victorious.
UOC honors patron saint of Kherson land
A Divine service was held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral of Kherson on feast day of St. Barsanuphius of Kherson.
Nativity of John the Baptist Church of UOC damaged by shelling in Kharkiv
A church of the Kharkiv Eparchy (UOC) was damaged during another shelling.
Patriarch Bartholomew not to concelebrate with Bulgarian Church Primate
The Ecumenical Patriarch will attend the service at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia as a guest.