Moldovan Church hierarch: "Our Church is in danger"
Archbishop Markell of Bălți and Fălești called on believers to unite in the face of the threat of the state seizing more than 800 churches.
On March 15, 2026, a prayer service for church unity and protection of holy sites from encroachments was held at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker in the city of Bălți. As reported by Ortodoxia în Moldova on Facebook, the service was led by Archbishop Marcell of Bălți and Fălești.
In his address to the clergy and laity, the hierarch stated that a real threat looms over the Orthodox Church of Moldova. According to Bishop Markell, state authorities have already taken the first steps to seize churches from Church communities. He called on the flock to consolidate and offer joint prayers for peace and preservation of unity.
Earlier, Moldovan authorities announced their intention to return to state ownership more than 800 churches currently used by the Church. The government claims this is necessary for the "protection and restoration" of architectural monuments. However, Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan admitted that the ministry lacks the capabilities and resources to manage such a large number of buildings.
The basis for the authorities' actions was a ruling by the Chișinău Court of Appeals, which annulled the right of the Moldovan Metropolis to use religious buildings with historical monument status.
Against the backdrop of these events, cases of violent confrontation are already occurring in the country. In particular, in the village of Dereneul, a bishop and believers of the Moldovan Metropolis were blocked inside a church.
