METROPOLITANATE OF BESSARABIA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE DECISION OF METROPOLITANATE OF MOLDOVA, WHICH DEPRIVED SEVERAL PRIESTS OF THEIR DIGNITY

The Metropolis of Bessarabia (MB) does not recognize the decision of the Metropolis of Moldova (MM), which deprived several priests of the dignity. This is stated in the message of the MB in connection with the decision of the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova adopted the day before.

As "INFOTAG" news agency previously reported, the day before the Synod deprived six priests of their ministry, who decided to move to the Metropolis of Bessarabia. We are talking about the clergymen Ilie Munteanu, Alexei Sirbu, Teodor Pelin, Vasile Enachi, Ioan Gangan and Ioan Solonaru. The priests were also stripped of all church awards.

"This decision is invalid" because, historically and canonically, the Romanian Orthodox Church represented by the Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia is the only ecclesiastical institution that has canonical jurisdiction on the present territory of Moldova," the Metropolis of Bessarabia noted.

The authors called the MM "a self-proclaimed structure that contradicts the very canons of the Church."

"The Russian structure in Chisinau becomes absurd and ridiculous already by its name, assuming that it would have authority in a region with Orthodox history, culture and identity deeply rooted in Romanian spirituality," the Metropolia of Bessarabia outlined, accusing the MM of "following the ideology of the 'Russian World' and ignoring obvious facts."

In addition, the Metropolia of Bessarabia said it would "make every effort to ensure that all Orthodox parishes in Moldova return to the bosom of the Mother Church." It also called on all those who "feel constrained by Russian dioceses" to "leave this slavery" and join the Romanian Orthodox Church.