In Moldova, the rector of the Orthodox Church was fined for pilgrimage to the Russian Federation

Moldovan authorities have fined the rector of the Orthodox St. George's Church in Chisinau, Nikolai Florinsky, 2,000 euros for pilgrimage to Russia. He said this in an interview with Izvestia on April 18.

According to him, in 2024, the servants of the church visited holy places in Russia with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

"And so, literally as a gift for Holy Week, as a gift from the government, numerous fines began to arrive without a court decision, without summoning the courts that those who visited Moscow in October last year should pay a fine," Florinsky said.

The rector added that in the 35 years of the church's existence, there had never been such tension between the government and the Orthodox Church in Moldova.

"Our metropolitan is not invited anywhere for consecration, for just some big holidays, as if our church with its thousands of believers does not exist. But it was the last election campaign that left its mark on literally many clergymen," he explained.

Russian Russian speaker Florinsky noted that St. George's Church is in great demand not only among Russians, but also among people of other nationalities who speak Russian.

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The day before, Bishop Markel, who was on his way to Israel for the Holy Fire, was detained at passport control at Chisinau airport and his documents were seized without explanation.

In an interview with Izvestia, he said that, in his opinion, the detention was purposeful, and the purpose was his delay on the flight. At the same time, according to Markel, the search was completed 40 minutes before departure, but the passport was returned only on board the plane half an hour after departure.