Archbishop Markel stated about the systemic pressure on the Orthodox Church of Moldova and the interference of the Romanian Patriarchate

Archbishop of Balti and Falesti Markel (Mihescu) expressed deep concern about the situation of the Orthodox Church of Moldova (OCM). The hierarch spoke about the growing pressure from the state authorities and the destructive role of the Romanian Patriarchate, drawing direct parallels between the religious situation in Moldova and the persecution of the canonical church in Ukraine. He said this in an interview published on the portal «Zhivot Crkve».

In his speech, Archbishop Markel emphasized that the current Moldovan government is intensifying attacks on the PCM because of its canonical connection with the Moscow Patriarchate. In his opinion, behind the actions of the authorities is a strong wave of Russophobia that has engulfed the highest echelons of the country’s leadership. The hierarch noted that the opponents of the Church follow the instructions of their Western partners, seeking to erase Christian spiritual and moral values from the Moldovan society. Vladyka also did not rule out the possibility of the realization of the «Ukrainian scenario» in the country, followed by a complete ban on the activities of the PCM.

Special attention in the material «Belly of the Church» is paid to the activity of the so-called «Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia». The archbishop accused some hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church of instigating a schism, which, according to him, is fueled by Romania’s territorial claims. The bishop pointed out that clerics under ecclesiastical judgment or canonical sanctions often move to the schismatic structure. He characterized the actions of the Romanian Patriarchate in accepting such clergymen as a grave sin and a violation of canon law due to the heresy of ethnophiletism (ecclesiastical nationalism).

In conclusion, the hierarch called for the resumption of a broad inter-Orthodox dialog, like the meeting of the Primates in Amman in 2020. According to the Archbishop, only strict adherence to the canons and renunciation of political ambitions can help preserve the unity of Orthodoxy and protect the Church from destruction. Despite the threats, the Bishop expressed confidence that the Orthodox people of Moldova will remain faithful to the canonical Church.