“Built by Our Ancestors”: Villagers Defend Dereneu Church
Parishioners in Moldova forced their way into their historic church after authorities transferred it to the Romanian Patriarchate without broad community consent.
DERENEU, MOLDOVA — Tensions flared in the village of Dereneu after authorities transferred the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Romanian Patriarchate’s Metropolis of Bessarabia, reportedly without consulting the majority of parishioners. According to local sources, police, including military units, attempted to block access to the church, but around 70 local residents broke through the cordon and entered the building, where a worship service was later held.
Speaking inside the church, parishioners emphasized their deep personal and historical ties to the parish. “Our church is alive, because it was built by our ancestors, it was preserved by our ancestors, and we are protecting it,” Abp. Peter of Ungheni and Nisporeni told the faithful. Residents stressed that their connection was not abstract but literal, pointing to generations of local families who constructed and maintained the 1827 church.
Former officials criticized the transfer, arguing that “a Christian community is the faithful, not just one priest,” and warning that the lack of consultation fueled division. Authorities confirmed the detention of the village mayor and a lawyer representing the Moldovan Metropolis following the unrest.
As of the latest reporting, special forces arrived again the next morning, with parishioners again refusing to leave.
Previously, the UOJ reported that an analyst in January of this year warned of Romanian church expansion in Moldova.
