After the recent events and the appearance of a letter signed by Metropolitan Volodymyr of Chisinau and All Moldova, we are witnessing significant changes in the political, social and religious landscape of the Republic of Moldova. Almost a year and eight months after the beginning of the Russian Federation’s large-scale war in Ukraine, Moldova has radically changed its position in relation to the dictatorial regime led by Putin, as well as to the aggressor state of Russia. Until now, the church institution of Moldova, canonically subordinate to Russia, tried to avoid confrontation with the reality of the war in Ukraine, and some priests subordinate to the Russian Patriarchate continued to mention one of the biggest supporters of the war, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, because it is a church dogma.

Apparently, the “religious war” between Russia and Romania is beginning to gather momentum due to the already known letter of Metropolitan Volodymyr of Chisinau and all Moldova to Patriarch Kirill, in which it is said that the Metropolitanate of Moldova is losing ground due to the wars unleashed by Russia in Ukraine and this is happening only now, almost 2 years after the Russian aggression.

The time for writing and then publishing the letter was not chosen by chance, especially since Ukraine recently voted on a bill banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to Moscow. Therefore, Metropolitan Volodymyr’s address should be perceived primarily as a request to Russia to intensify religious activities in Moldova, so that parishioners and priests are no longer tempted by the Bessarabian-Romanian Metropolis.

It is also very important to note the fact that the letter was made public by none other than former deputy Vlad Kubryakov, who, as we know, has a dubious past, being the right-hand man of agent Yuriy Roshka, but also currently a close associate of the extremist AUR party. The fact that this letter comes from him, from the very beginning, sabotages the idea that this letter supports the idea of ​​separating the Metropolis of Moldova from the Patriarchate of Russia. This connection raises questions about the true intentions of the letter and who it really serves.

Moreover, it is surprising that the subordinate Metropolitan Volodymyr, a person very close to Moscow circles, allows himself to come with criticism to the Russian Patriarchate, and there is no answer to this letter for more than a month. This problem can also demonstrate that this letter is most likely coordinated by two structures (the Metropolitanate of Moldova and the Russian Patriarchate) and has as its goal rather the enmity between parishioners and priests in Moldova.

All this conflict at the central level between the Metropolis of Moldova and the Metropolis of Bessarabia primarily affects the religious unity in Moldova, namely the conflicts that arise between parishioners, which can lead to spiritual separation or, even worse, to non-attendance of church. On the eve of the local elections, when we know the influence of the priest on the locality, we should also pay special attention to the complaints of the church ministers, because it is natural that the tendency to serve under the Bessarabian Metropolis increases in view of the growing proximity to Romania.

To better understand this letter, we need to read between the lines, and furthermore, we need to realize that it is addressed to two types of audience.

First of all, it is about the perception of citizens of Moldova, and more precisely, addressed to parishioners and priests from Moldova, who are increasingly attracted (not without reason) to the Bessarabian Metropolis, subordinate to the Romanian state. It is primarily about the fact that the priests who joined Romania have a monthly salary of 800-900 euros, health insurance, pensions and the exemption of parishes from quarterly contributions, practically the best conditions for a priest to perform his work. And let’s not forget that recently (the argument is also presented in the letter) there has been a decrease in the trust of the population in the church, which has reached 63%, which gives an opportunity for greater trust in state institutions.

Secondly, the letter is written for the authorities and the Russian Orthodox world. Sound the alarm that in case of termination of funding of the spiritual institution headed by Metropolitan Volodymyr, the institution will undergo institutional bankruptcy. Much more pronounced activity on the part of Russia (political influence and financial resources) is clearly required so that the Romanian state and the Metropolis of Bessarabia are stopped in their expansion.

Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the next development of events, as well as the actions carried out by Russia through the Russian Patriarchate. The example of Ukraine, which distanced itself from the concept of “Russian world” promoted especially by the Russian Church, should serve as a warning for the citizens and authorities of the Republic of Moldova. It is necessary to take concrete measures to permanently distance ourselves from Russian interests and get closer to Romania not only from the energy, cultural and educational points of view, but also from the religious and social point of view. The recommendation in this regard would be to wait for a favorable moment, so that the majority of priests from Moldova would naturally and disinterestedly go over to the side of the Bessarabian Metropolis. –

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