In Moldova, parishioners are tried for conflict with the rector over the change of jurisdiction of the church

In Moldova’s Riscani district, the trial of six parishioners from the village of Grinauti began, accused of hooliganism after a conflict with the rector who tried to bring the local church under the Romanian Patriarchate. The incident underscores the growing tension between different Orthodox jurisdictions in the region.

The conflict took place on July 15, 2025, at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Moldovan TV channel TV8.md, the rector of the parish, Priest Constantin Turtureanu, announced the community’s transfer from the Moldovan Metropolitanate of the Moscow Patriarchate to the Metropolitanate of Bessarabia, which belongs to the Romanian Patriarchate. However, this initiative did not find support at the parish meeting: 267 people voted against it, while only 9 parishioners were in favor of the transition, and another 8 abstained.

Despite the clear rejection of his decision by the community, Father Konstantin refused to leave the temple, which led to a clash with the faithful. As a result, the General Prosecutor’s Office opened a hooliganism case against six local residents aged 38 to 59. According to the indictment, they face a fine of up to 52,500 lei (about 2,700 euros), community service or imprisonment for up to three years.

The defendants themselves and other parishioners consider the case unfair. They regard the prosecution as a form of pressure on the believers of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, who maintain canonical unity with the Moscow Patriarchate.

Recall that on June 29, 2025, supporters of the Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia (Romanian Patriarchate) attempted to seize the temple of the Orthodox Church of Moldova in the village of Grinauti, Riscani district. According to eyewitnesses, the clerics of the Romanian Patriarchate were actively assisted by Moldovan police and representatives of the local authorities.