Archbishop Markel: Interference by the Romanian Patriarchate Threatens the Unity of the Church in Moldova

Archbishop of Bălți and Fălești Markel made a sharp statement addressed to the hierarchs of the Romanian Patriarchate, accusing them of systematic actions leading to a church schism in Moldova. He expressed concern about the continued interference by the Romanian church and political elite in the affairs of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, which, in his opinion, poses a threat not only to local spiritual unity but also to the integrity of the entire World Orthodoxy. The Archbishop spoke about this in an interview with the Bulgarian outlet “Glasove.”

He is convinced that for thirty years, Romanian secular and church circles have been conducting a methodical subversive campaign against the Moldovan Patriarchate, and emphasizes that similar processes are already taking place in other countries, such as Armenia.

“As for the ongoing attempts to divide the Orthodox Church of Moldova (it must be said, not without some success), one can trace the intricate and insidious designs of people from various spheres. There is a clear example of direct and crude interference by secular authorities in church affairs, where they find allies,” said Archbishop Markel.

He is particularly alarmed by the actions of the so-called Bessarabian Metropolis, which the Romanian side is actively implanting on the canonical territory of the Moldovan Orthodox Church:

“The Romanian church hierarchy has appointed its own bishops in our cities… there is, in fact, an alternative church hierarchy operating, its own alternative Synod.”

“On the canonical territory of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, there is in fact an alternative church hierarchy, its own alternative Synod. They brazenly and fearlessly trample upon the Holy Church Canons and tear apart the Body of Christ — the Church! And only the wise caution and Christian patient humility of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and of our church hierarchy currently hold us back from officially breaking relations with the Romanian Orthodox Church over this obvious schismatic activity,” the hierarch stated.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Archbishop Markel expresses hope that there are still God-fearing believers within the Romanian Church who can stop the schism:

“My hope has not yet died that in the Romanian Orthodox Church there are faithful people who fear God and who will stop the schism that already exists in fact.”

However, he stresses that “if the hierarchs of the Romanian Patriarchate continue their aggressive schismatic activities, the tragedy of separation will be unavoidable.”

“The unity and integrity of the Orthodox Church is the foundation upon which the Moldovan state is built… I believe the Lord will incline His mercy to the Moldovan people… The Lord will preserve Moldova from misfortunes and its Church from division!” concluded Archbishop Markel.

He also noted that the churches of the Orthodox Church in Moldova that transfer to the jurisdiction of the so-called Bessarabian Metropolis — a structural division of the Romanian Orthodox Church — are deprived of local property and come under the control of the Romanian state. This was stated by Archbishop of Bălți and Fălești Markel.