Moldova Court Ruling Opens Door to Mass Church Property Transfers
A landmark ruling by Moldova’s Court of Appeal could trigger the mass transfer of hundreds of churches from the Orthodox Church of Moldova to the Bessarabian Metropolis, reshaping church property rights nationwide.
CHIȘINĂU, MOLDOVA — The Chișinău Court of Appeal has issued a ruling that could pave the way for the mass transfer of church property from the Orthodox Church of Moldova (MOC) to the Bessarabian Metropolis of the Romanian Patriarchate. The November 25, 2025 decision, stemming from a dispute involving a single rural parish, is being widely described as a nationwide legal precedent that could affect up to 800 church buildings.
The court overturned a refusal by the Public Services Agency and ruled that the state must revoke the MOC’s right to use a church if a parish declares a change of jurisdiction, even without approval from church leadership. The case centered on the parish of Dubăsarii Vechi, which sought to join the Bessarabian Metropolis despite the church’s historic registration under the Moldovan Metropolis.
Legal experts warn the ruling undermines a 2003 agreement granting the MOC free use of hundreds of heritage sites. While the MOC says it will appeal, representatives of the Bessarabian Metropolis openly describe the decision as a precedent for broader property claims, signaling a potential escalation in church–state tensions in Moldova.
This marks the latest government overreach in a series of events tied to the incorrect belief that the MOC is a “Russian influence” operation. Similar to the governments of Ukraine and Estonia, Moldova is cracking down on believers due this perception.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Moldovan Synod reaffirmed its administrative autonomy against accusations of alleged Russian influence.
