The Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova defrocked 19 clergymen

The Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, chaired by Metropolitan Vladimir of Chișinău and All Moldova, decided to defrock 19 clergymen. The reason for this radical measure was the clergymen’s unauthorized transfer to other jurisdictions without the appropriate letters of dismissal.

According to an statement from the press office of the Chisinau and Moldova Metropolis, these actions were deemed a gross violation of the priestly oath taken by the clergy during their ordination. Church leadership emphasized that, before the final decision was made, all of the individuals listed were given sufficient time to reconsider their actions; however, they have not yet repented nor returned to fulfilling their duties.

The list of those defrocked includes 18 priests, including Archpriests Vetchislav Kazaku, Peter Eshanu, Andrei Oistrik, Stanislav Atamanenko, Peter Storozhu, Evgeny Maznik, Maxim Melinti, Nikolai Grapin, Andrei Popu, Vasilii Stamati, Andrei Perchik, Igor Chelu, Andrei Pyrgaru, and Ilia Buruyan, as well as the priests Ioan Buchucanu, Rodion Storozha, Vasile Manicu, and Adrian Savchuk. In addition, Protodeacon Markell Rotar was defrocked.

As a reminder, earlier, Archbishop Markell of Bălți and Fălești, a hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, appealed to the residents of Moldova to exercise vigilance regarding the activities of an organization known as the “Bessarabian Metropolis.” The bishop called this organization “schismatic” and expressed his categorical protest against its attempts to seize church property within the country, particularly in the city of Bălți.