Moldovan bishop tells UN of pressure on the Church
Archbishop Markell of Bălți and Fălești. Photo: Wikipedia
On March 25, 2026, Archbishop Markell of Bălți and Fălești addressed a UN platform during the general debate and spoke of violations of believers’ rights and pressure on the Orthodox Church of Moldova, according to the website of the Bălți-Fălești Eparchy.
In his remarks, the hierarch drew attention to increasingly anti-church rhetoric from a number of Moldovan politicians. “Such rhetoric creates an atmosphere of intolerance and contributes to further restrictions on religious freedom,” Archbishop Markell said.
He also spoke of cases of administrative prosecution against believers on charges of “passive electoral corruption,” as well as regular inspections of clergy and pilgrims when crossing the state border.
The bishop further pointed to court proceedings that could lead to the confiscation of around 800 churches and monasteries, along with cases of pressure on communities aimed at forcing them into the jurisdiction of the Metropolis of Bessarabia.
Archbishop Markell’s statement was backed by international human rights organizations, which said there are signs of systemic discrimination against believers and called on UN bodies to provide a legal assessment of the situation.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, by court decision in Moldova, believers of the Moldovan Metropolia were barred from entering a church.
Read also
Novynskyi: Monk’s murder stems from hatred fueled against UOC
UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi said the murder of Monk Varsonofiy at the Sviatohirsk Lavra was a manifestation of hatred, lawlessness and persecution of the Church.
Serbian Church in US denies reports of involvement in honoring Zelensky
The Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Church commented on reports alleging that Bishop Irinej would take part in presenting an award to the Ukrainian president.
OCU cleric calls UOC an “enemy” and urges unity with Greek Catholics
An OCU cleric said the presence of the UOC in Ukraine amounts to the “presence of the enemy” and called for unification with Greek Catholics.
DESS finds Zaporizhzhia Eparchy affiliated with ROC
Ukraine’s State Service for Ethnopolitics identified three signs of ties between the administration of the UOC’s Zaporizhzhia Eparchy and the ROC through the Kyiv Metropolia.
UOC choir director and catechist school in Dnipro opens enrollment
The theological school at the St. Tikhvin Convent in Dnipro has opened enrollment in three specialties.
Serbian president visits Transfiguration Monastery in Kozji Dol
Aleksandar Vučić visited the Orthodox monastery in Kozji Dol and discussed the situation of Serbs in the south of the country.