In recent weeks, the Orthodox Church of Moldova (OCM), part of the Moscow Patriarchate, has been faced with an ever increasing number of its priests defecting to the rival Metropolis of Bessarabia of the Romanian Patriarchate. Some of the defections have involved important people in the OCM. For example, in the last few days, Archpriest Vyacheslav Kazak, who actually runs the OCM’s Chișinău Theological Academy and Seminary (the official rector is Metropolitan Vladimir), joined the Metropolis of Bessarabia. According to one website, Kazak is “one of the greatest theologians” of the OCM and was the “founder” of the Academy and Seminary. https://globalhappenings.com/top-global-news/439177.html All of Kazak’s parishioners and the church in Stresha joined him. Another report states that more than 60 priests of the OCM have already moved to the Metropolis and that 13 churches of the OCM will officially transfer to the Metropolis next week. https://timpul.md/articol/biserica-rusa-ne-a-fost-ca-o-mama-dar-ca-o-mama-vitrega-tot-mai-multi-preoti-trec-spre-mitropolia-basarabiei.html
Now there has been a new dramatic development. On November 13, Archpriest Pavel Borșevschi, dean of the second sector of the Archdiocese of Chișinău, presented a letter to Metropolitan Vladimir, the primate of the OCM. The Archdiocese’s second sector encompasses the Botanica Sector, which is one of five sectors in Chișinău and is the one with the greatest population (220,000). It includes 30 parishes. The entire letter, which is in Romanian, can be read on the Facebook page of the parish of Archpriest Pavel Borșevschi. https://www.facebook.com/BisericaSfantulDumitruChisinau/posts/pfbid02dCAME9QNBLh6ZskqgzDukA197gvf32uLBkP8qt1j6WAvY1pFV56awdEQtx67VcEQl This Facebook page also states:
Starting from the extraordinary realities in which the Orthodox Church of the Republic of Moldova finds itself and in the context of the unjust and treacherous war that Russia is waging in Ukraine, the majority of priests and believers from the Archdiocese of Chișinău sector II, signed an address to His Eminence Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chișinău and All Moldova. Through this address, we ask His Eminence to initiate the accession process of the Metropolitanate of Moldova to the Romanian Patriarchate. His Eminence Vladimir’s letter to Patriarch Kirill on September 5, 2023, in which he states that our people of Latin origin have nothing in common with the “Russky mir,” gives us courage to believe that now more than ever is the right time to correct historical mistakes and restore the dignity stolen by the Russian occupation.
On November 13, Archpriest Pavel Borșevschi was interviewed by the Moldovan media concerning the letter. https://www.jurnal.md/ro/news/11f81e2e8700e808/mitropolitul-vladimir-convoaca-o-adunare-cu-toti-protopopii-dupa-ce-a-primit-scrisoarea-preotilor-de-la-botanica.html He stated:
The letter is signed by most of the priests in the diocese. We do not propose to join the Metropolis of Bessarabia, but we demand that the entire metropolis [OCM], as a canonical structure, led by Metropolitan Vladimir, renounce the Russian Church and Patriarch Kirill and come under the omophorion of the Romanian Patriarchate. We cannot be in a church where the patriarch blesses his priests to pray for the victory of the Russian army over Ukraine, which is our suffering sister. We also had a war in Transnistria, with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II. In such cases, when we say “victory,” we are talking about humiliation. It is something that cannot be explained from a Christian point of view.
When he received the letter, the Metropolitan did not tell us either yes or no, but decided to summon all archpriests and abbots of the monasteries on Thursday to discuss this issue. I don’t think he has any reason to disagree with us, based on his letter to Patriarch Kirill and considering that this opinion is not only ours, the priests’, but also that of the religious community, which we shepherd.
One must now wait and see if this meeting will actually occur on Thursday. Is Borșevschi overly optimistic? From the viewpoint of Metropolitan Vladimir, the idea of the entire OCM transferring to the Romanian Patriarchate may be appealing. It would allow the hierarchy and the entire structure of the OCM to remain intact. It would be much more appealing than having a large part of the OCM join and become integrated into the Metropolis of Bessarabia. In addition the Metropolis of Bessarabia has been very aggressive in soliciting OCM priests and faithful to join the Metropolis. Because of the resulting bitterness, it would be humbling for Metropolitan Vladimir to surrender to the Metropolis of Bessarabia. Under the idea presented by the Borșevschi letter, there would be two Orthodox jurisdictions in Moldova – both under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Patriarchate. Would the Romanian Patriarchate agree to such an arrangement? My guess is that it would – at least on a temporary basis. If the OCM does transfer to the Romanian Patriarchate, would the Moscow Patriarchate sever communion with the Romanian Patriarchate? This would lead to further isolation of the Moscow Patriarchate. The Romanian Patriarchate is the second largest Local Orthodox Church and has not joined either the Moscow or Constantinople “camps.” If the Moscow Patriarchate seeks to impose church sanctions on the Romanian Patriarchate, it might drive the Romanian Patriarchate closer to Constantinople.
The remainder of this week may be a very interesting time for Moldova.
Peter Anderson, Seattle USA
