Parishioners Block Church Seizure in Moldova
A renewed clash in Dereneu highlights escalating tensions over church control in Moldova.
DERENEU, MOLDOVA — A confrontation erupted on January 27 around the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Dereneu, as parishioners of the Moldovan Metropolis accused representatives of the Bessarabian Metropolis of attempting to seize control of the church by force, according to local media.
Priest Vadim Korostinsky said a former cleric, Florinel Marin, broke locks during the night, disabled surveillance cameras, and later summoned police. Clergy from the Bessarabian Metropolis reportedly arrived from multiple regions, but local residents blocked their entry. The church remains closed, and parishioners say no court bailiff or legal documents authorizing entry were presented.
Former Moldovan President Igor Dodon condemned the incident as “church raiding,” while the Bessarabian Metropolis maintains its actions were lawful and court-sanctioned. Parishioners say this marked a third takeover attempt and held a thanksgiving service after regaining control.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a Moldova court ruling opened the door to mass church-property transfers.
