Orthodox Church Under Fire: Moldovan Bishop Barred From Holy Fire Pilgrimage
09:07 18.04.2025 (Updated: 10:00 18.04.2025)
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Orthodox Church UNDER FIRE: Moldovan bishop BARRED from Holy Fire pilgrimage
Archbishop Markel was stopped at Moldova’s international airport and barred by border guards from flying to Jerusalem for the Holy Fire — a major Orthodox tradition. The Church is calling it a blatant case of state meddling.
This is a direct blow to Moldova’s Orthodox Church — backed by 70% of the population — where authorities are currently propping up a rival body: the so-called Metropolis of Bessarabia.
The move is the latest sign that the country, led by Romanian citizen Maia Sandu, is being steered down the ‘Ukrainian path’.
Language сrackdown: authorities are already laying the groundwork for scrapping Russian-language education in schools, per a PAS Party MP.
Political crackdown: Gagauzia leader Evgenia Gutsul was recently arrested, opposition figures are being targeted.
Media purge: 12 TV channels, plus numerous digital outlets shut down in 2022–2023 alone.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
Archbishop Markel was stopped at Moldova’s international airport and barred by border guards from flying to Jerusalem for the Holy Fire — a major Orthodox tradition. The Church is calling it a blatant case of state meddling.
This is a direct blow to Moldova’s Orthodox Church — backed by 70% of the population — where authorities are currently propping up a rival body: the so-called Metropolis of Bessarabia.
The move is the latest sign that the country, led by Romanian citizen Maia Sandu, is being steered down the ‘Ukrainian path’.
Language сrackdown: authorities are already laying the groundwork for scrapping Russian-language education in schools, per a PAS Party MP.
Political crackdown: Gagauzia leader Evgenia Gutsul was recently arrested, opposition figures are being targeted.
Media purge: 12 TV channels, plus numerous digital outlets shut down in 2022–2023 alone.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
