“Bessarabian Metropolis” Demands Revocation of Citizenship for Priests of the Orthodox Church of Moldova

The “Bessarabian Metropolis” of the Romanian Orthodox Church has announced its intention to appeal to the Romanian authorities with a demand to revoke the Romanian citizenship of several hierarchs and clergy of the Moldovan Metropolis. The statement claims that these individuals are allegedly involved in a “hybrid war” conducted by Russia in Moldova. This was reported by Nokta.

The document refers to alleged links between some representatives of the Orthodox Church of Moldova and “pro-Russian political forces,” particularly with structures connected to Ilan Shor. Those named include Bishops Marchel of Bălți, Ioan of Soroca, Petru of Ungheni, and priest Iulian Rață.

The statement also contains accusations of coordinating actions with pro-Russian politicians and using church structures to influence the identity of the population. However, the “Bessarabian Metropolis” did not provide concrete evidence, citing only general “hybrid methods” and a “plan by Russian intelligence services.”

Among the demands voiced is the revocation of Romanian citizenship for the named clergy, accompanied by rhetoric labelling them as “traitors to the people.”

It should be recalled that parishes of the Orthodox Church of Moldova that move under the jurisdiction of the so-called Bessarabian Metropolis — a structural unit of the Romanian Orthodox Church — lose control over local church property, which then comes under the authority of the Romanian state. This was stated by Archbishop Marchel of Bălți and Fălești, who emphasized that such transfers are carried out with violations and effectively result in the transfer of church property abroad.