Moldova urges clergy to "tell the truth" about Ukraine war
By Alexander Tanas
CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's government, a fierce critic of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, appealed to the country's clergy on Sunday to "tell the truth" about the war, saying that Moscow's military actions had destroyed some 500 places of worship.
Government spokesperson Daniel Voda's appeal, on the eve of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, appeared linked to a split in Moldova's Orthodox Church into competing branches subordinate to Russia and Romania.
More than 90 percent of churchgoers in Moldova, which lies between Ukraine and Romania, adhere to the Orthodox Church.
The invasion, backed enthusiastically by Russia's Orthodox Church, has accelerated a move by parishes from Moldova's majority Moscow-linked Moldova Metropolis to the smaller Romania-linked church, the Metropolis of Bessarabia.
Since the invasion, still dubbed a "Special Military Operation" in Russia, more than 60 parishes have transferred their allegiance in the country of 2.5 million.
"From the beginning of the invasion, more than 500 churches, synagogues and mosques have been destroyed or damaged. That's one every two days," Voda said in his appeal.
"Do not remain silent. Tell the world the truth. The aggression is not just a fight for territory, it is the destruction of shrines."
Metropolitan Vladimir of the Moscow-linked Moldova Metropolis has made a point of saying his church denounced the invasion "from the very first day" and organised assistance for more than 90,000 Ukrainian refugees, the highest number per capita in Europe.
"At every service I say a special prayer in which I ask for mercy for the church and pray for an end to the war in Ukraine," Vladimir said in a 2023 interview.
"I am not afraid to call it the 'war in Ukraine' in the prayer. I do not pray for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin."
Media reports have spoken of priests from the Russia-linked church backing the Russian invasion in some parishes. Reuters could not independently verify these reports. And the church acknowledges that groups of priests last year made "pilgrimages" to holy sites in Russia, with Russian financing.
The split in church ranks reflects Moldova's turbulent history, with most of its current territory having belonged at various times in the past to the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union and "Greater Romania."
The Romania-linked Metropolis of Bessarabia is increasingly linked to Moldova's drive to join the European Union by 2030.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
19 minutes ago
Trump says 'it's possible' US gets involved in Israel-Iran conflict
President Donald Trump said Sunday that the US is not involved in Israel 's military strikes but "it's possible we could get involved." In an interview with ABC News' Rachel Scott, Trump said he's open to Russian President Vladimir Putin serving as a mediator in the conflict -- something he said the Russian president pitched in their phone call on Saturday. Here are highlights from the interview: On Israel's latest attack on Iran:"I think they were very devastating. It was very devastating. They were hit also, but it was a very devastating into Iran, primarily" the president said. On a deadline for Iran to come to the negotiating table:"No, there's no deadline. But they are talking. They'd like to make a deal. They're talking. They continue to talk," he said. "Something like this had to happen because I think even from both sides, but something like this had to happen. They want to talk, and they will be talking." Asked again about the talks being called off, the president said he's confident it may help the deal -- "May have forced a deal to go quicker, actually." Will the U.S. get more involved in the conflict?:"We're not involved in it. It's possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved," the president said. Putin as a mediator in the conflict:"Yeah, I would be open to it. He is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it. We talked about this more than his situation. This is something I believe is going to get resolved."
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Ukraine drone attack on Russia's Tatarstan region leaves at least 1 dead, 13 injured
One person was killed and 13 others wounded Sunday in a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia's Tatarstan region, local authorities said. Regional Gov. Rustam Minnikhanov said the drone was destroyed, but falling debris ignited a fire and struck a vehicle manufacturing plant in the Yelabuga district, some 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) from the frontline. Russia's defense ministry said it shot down six Ukrainian drones overnight. Russia launched 183 drones and decoys, along with 11 missiles, at Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force, which said its air defenses destroyed 111 drones and eight missiles, while another 48 drones were jammed. Officials in the Poltava region said the overnight attack damaged energy and agricultural infrastructure, but there were no casualties. Continuing a renewed battlefield push along eastern and northeastern parts of the more than 600-mile front line, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed Sunday that its troops captured another village in the Donetsk region, Malynivka. The Ukrainian military had no immediate comment on the Russian claim. The continued attacks came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a lengthy call , during which Trump said that he pressed Putin to end the war in Ukraine . In other developments, Russia repatriated more bodies of fallen soldiers in line with an agreement reached during peace talks in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, Russian officials said Sunday, cited by Russian state media. The officials said Ukraine did not return any bodies to Russia on Sunday. Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed in a statement that Russia returned 1,200 bodies. The agreement to exchange prisoners of war and the bodies of fallen soldiers was the only tangible outcome of the June 2 Istanbul talks. The first round of the staggered exchanges took place on Monday. ___ Follow the AP's coverage of the war at Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Trump says Iran and Israel ‘will make a deal,' vows ‘we will have peace soon'
President Trump predicted that both Iran and Israel will 'make a deal' after tensions exploded between the two bitter enemies last week in the wake of the preemptive strikes in Tehran. Trump boasted about past peace deals between warring nations and complained that despite him playing a key role in many of those deals, he doesn't get credit for anything.' 3 Donald Trump struck an optimistic chord on Sunday, predicting both Iran and Israel will 'make a deal' after tensions exploded between the two bitter enemies. via REUTERS Advertisement 3 Fire and smoke rise into the sky after an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot in Tehran. Getty Images 'Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP!' Trump wrote on Truth Social Sunday. The battle between Israel and Iran is still very active. As Trump made his post, Iran blamed Israel for five car bombs that detonated in Tehran Sunday. Advertisement Israel had conducted a series of preemptive strikes on Iran last week, targeting its nuclear facilities, killing top military brass and wiping out key scientists in the theocratic regime. 3 Israeli rescuers search through the rubble at the site of an overnight Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam. AFP via Getty Images Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed those strikes were 'just the beginning,' and Iran has promised brutal retaliation. 'During my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!),' Trump further claimed. Advertisement 'Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way!' he went on. 'Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!' This is a breaking story. Please check back for more information.
