Talks of Fanariotes Returning to Moldova Spark in Church Circles

Discussions have emerged within Moldova’s church circles suggesting that the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople may be planning to expand its presence in the country and establish its own church structures. According to Telegram channel Traditia.MD, Constantinople reportedly already has a representative overseeing these efforts.

The figure in question is Archimandrite Victor (Copuşu), rector of the Church of Saint Andrew the First-Called in Istanbul. Recently, he has made several visits to Moldova. Notably, on May 13, he celebrated a liturgy at the Convent of the Myrrh-Bearing Women Martha and Mary in Căușeni District, where he was allowed to concelebrate despite the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church from October 15, 2018, to break Eucharistic communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The authors of the report emphasize that Archimandrite Victor’s presence in Moldova may indicate Constantinople’s preparations to establish a parallel ecclesiastical jurisdiction. According to them, a specific diocese has already been selected for the launch of this initiative.

It was previously reported that Archbishop Marchel of Bălți and Fălești stated that the main reason for the persecution of the Moldovan Orthodox Church is its loyalty to the Russian Orthodox Church and its resistance to the Romanianization of the country. He stressed that the Church has become a target of the authorities, who, in his view, seek to dismantle Moldovan statehood by merging with Romania.