Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Moldova's Largest Orthodox Church Rejects 'Russian Church' Label Amid Schism
Imagine there are two groups of people who go to the same kind of church in Moldova, a country between Ukraine and Romania.
Most people there are Orthodox Christians.
One big church group, called the Moldova Metropolis, used to be very close to the church in Russia.
But now, because of the war in Ukraine, they say they are 'free and independent' and not just a 'Russian church.'
They want to be for everyone in Moldova.
The other church group, called the Metropolis of Bessarabia, is connected to the church in Romania.
They say the first group is lying and is still part of the Russian church.
This is causing a lot of disagreement, and some priests have even switched from one group to the other.
Moldova's largest Orthodox church, the Moldova Metropolis, has rejected being called a 'Russian church' and stated it is 'free and independent.'
The Romania-linked Metropolis of Bessarabia accused the Moldova Metropolis of 'duplicity and moral lies,' calling it a 'local church structure of the Moscow Patriarchate.'
The dispute highlights a schism within Moldova's Orthodox faith, with parishioners divided between churches subordinate to Russian and Romanian patriarchates.
The split has been intensified by Russia's war in Ukraine and Moldova's pro-European government's condemnation of the invasion.
The Moldova Metropolis has stripped 11 priests of their authority for switching to the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which has seen dozens of priests move their parishes.
- Who
- The Moldova Metropolis (linked to the Russian Orthodox Church) and the Metropolis of Bessarabia (linked to the Romanian Orthodox Church).
- What
- A dispute has arisen as Moldova's largest Orthodox church rejected the label 'Russian church,' while a rival church linked to Romania accused it of deception.
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Moldova
- Why
- The split in Moldova's Orthodox faith is exacerbated by the Russian Orthodox Church's support for the war in Ukraine and Moldova's pro-European government's stance against the Kremlin.
Moldova Metropolis (Moscow-linked)
Metropolis of Bessarabia (Romania-linked)
Relationship with Moscow Patriarchate
Moldova Metropolis (Moscow-linked)
Asserts it is 'free and independent' and not a 'Russian church', but a church for all people in Moldova, regardless of nationality.
Metropolis of Bessarabia (Romania-linked)
Accuses the Moldova Metropolis of 'duplicity and moral lies,' stating it is merely a 'local church structure of the Moscow Patriarchate.'
Representation of Orthodox Faith in Moldova
Moldova Metropolis (Moscow-linked)
Claims to represent the entire Orthodox community in Moldova.
Metropolis of Bessarabia (Romania-linked)
Contends that the Moldova Metropolis misleadingly claims to represent the entire Orthodox Church organization on the territory of historical Moldova.
Priests Switching Allegiances
Moldova Metropolis (Moscow-linked)
Stripped 11 priests of their authority after they switched to the Romania-linked church.
Metropolis of Bessarabia (Romania-linked)
Denounced the majority church's decision to strip priests of their authority after they switched sides; notes dozens of priests have moved their parishes.
- Religious Adherence
- Over 90% of Moldovans adhere to Orthodox Christianity.
- Main Orthodox Factions
- Moldova Metropolis (subordinate to Russian Orthodox Church) and Metropolis of Bessarabia (subordinate to Romanian Orthodox Church).
- Geopolitical Context
- Moldova lies between Ukraine and Romania; government is pro-European and denounces Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- Recent Events
- Moldova Metropolis held a synod rejecting 'Russian church' label; Metropolis of Bessarabia accused the larger church of deception and stripping priests' authority.