Pro-Russian propaganda is once again using the church to divide society. This time, Kremlin-funded structures have created websites and Telegram channels that promote aggressive narratives about limiting the activity of the Metropolis of Bessarabia and introducing Orthodox lessons in schools, reports Deschide.md. They also urge citizens to take violent actions to “defend the Church.”
In early October 2024, ahead of the presidential elections and the referendum on European Union accession, a Telegram channel called Viata Eparhiei de Soroca si Drochia appeared, presenting itself as the “official channel of the Soroca and Drochia Eparchy.” Initially, channel administrators reposted information and statements from the Orthodox Church of Moldova. But in the days leading up to the first round of the presidential election, they began promoting anti-EU rhetoric and later revived antisemitic messages.
The channel promoted paid pilgrimages to Moscow, which Deschide.md reported were organized with the support of the Evrazia organization, linked to fugitive convict Ilan Shor and Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
Channel administrators also conduct polls aimed at dividing citizens, asking whether the Church and Christians in Moldova face persecution. During the second round of the presidential elections, they encouraged Moldovan citizens to vote in Moscow.
On September 13, the channel posted a video showing violent altercations and protests in Ukraine against clergy under the Russian Patriarchy, urging Moldovan citizens “to defend the Church.” It also encouraged citizens to sign a petition defending the Orthodox Church of Moldova, published on a newly created site, mostenire. The petition claims “violations of the rights of the Orthodox Church of Moldova” and calls for the “defense of the future of our Motherland.”
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The petition’s authors call the Metropolis of Bessarabia a “schismatic structure, artificially created” and assert that it “clearly reflects Romania’s geopolitical claims over the territory of the Republic of Moldova.” They demand that authorities officially recognize the Orthodox Church of Moldova as the only canonical Orthodox Church.
“We respect the national sentiments of all citizens and consider that, for shepherding the Romanian population, which represents about 7% of Moldova’s inhabitants, a few parishes of the Romanian Orthodox Church are sufficient, but not the aggressive expansion of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which claims our spiritual heritage,” the petition authors write. They also request that Orthodox and church history lessons be included in school curricula.
The petition and the narratives used by the Viata Eparhiei de Soroca si Drochia channel circulated widely and were promoted by dozens of pro-Russian Telegram channels.
Recent, pe 13 septembrie, canalul a publicat un video cu altercații și proteste violente din Ucraina împotriva slujitorilor subordonați Patriarhiei Ruse, îndemnând cetățenii R. Moldova „să apere Biserica”.
In response, the Soroca and Drochia Eparchy clarified that the channel does not belong to or operate under the eparchy.
“The information published on this account does not represent or reflect the activity or viewpoint of the Soroca and Drochia Eparchy,” stated the church clergy.
These actions confirm once again that Russia continues to use the church as a propaganda and manipulation tool, aiming to sow discord in society. Pro-Kremlin networks use false messages, conspiratorial narratives, and calls to “defend the faith” to undermine the Metropolis of Bessarabia, weaken the state’s European path, divide religious communities, and destabilize social cohesion. Behind this campaign lie clear geopolitical interests: to keep Moldova within Russia’s sphere of influence by cultivating fear, hatred, and mistrust among citizens.