RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Russian church in Moldova clashes with civil government over pandemic

MOLDOVAN P.M. RESPONDS TO SYNOD'S THREAT WITH CALL TO PRAY FOR CLARITY OF MIND OF CHURCH'S MINISTERS

Interfax-Religiia, 21 May 2020

 

A ban on conducting worship services in church premises in Moldova will be maintained as long as the epidemiological situation remains difficult, Prime Minister Ion Chicu declared in response to a warning from the Synod of the Orthodox church that his name will not be commemorated during liturgies if he does not reconsider restrictive measures.

 

"This crisis reminds us how important it is to restore the system of education in the country. In an enlightened society, such 'warnings' would not appear. Lord, forgive me," the prime minister wrote on his Facebook page

 

He called for mercy and understanding.

 

"Forgive me, Lord, and save me from sins, and give to me reason and strength to respond wisely and calmly to such things. Let's be merciful and understanding. For each of us it may happen that our reason is clouded by the power of instincts and temptations," Chicu wrote.

 

He asked the citizens of the country "to pray for clarity of mind and health for people, including bureaucrats and ministers of the church."

 

As was reported, in the period of the emergency situation, from 17 March to 15 May, in Moldova services with the participation of parishioners were forbidden. From 16 May, worship services are permitted, but only out of doors, with maintenance of social distance and other precautionary measures.

 

In its appeal to Ion Chicu, the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova threatened the prime minister that it would cease praying for him in the churches if traditional worship services are not permitted, including maintenance of all rituals. In the same appeal, the ministers of the church warned Moldovan authorities that in the event of the discovery of an immunization against coronavirus, vaccination in Moldova should be conducted exclusively on a voluntary basis. The Synod referred to "additional information regarding the upcoming introduction of chips into the human organism through vaccines." The clergymen also wrote to the prime minister about the danger of Bill Gates for humanity and the risk of 5G technology. (tr. by PDS, posted 21 May 2020)


 ORTHODOX CHURCH OF MOLDOVA SPEAKS OF DANGER FOR HUMANITY OF BILL GATES AND 5G TCHNOLOGY

Interfax-Religiia, 20 May 2020

 

The Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova warned the government that the future inoculation against coronavirus should be voluntary.

 

In its appeal, members of the Synod referred to "additional information about the upcoming introduction of chips into the human organism through vaccination." The document also speaks about the danger for humanity of the activity of American billionaire Bill Gates and about the risk of 5G technology.

 

"It is necessary to declare that vaccination represents a danger of microchips, or of outside devices entering into the human organism. Society in many European countries is protesting against the compulsory use of vaccine, especially vaccination against COVID-19, because it views them as a means for a global system of antichrists to introduce microchips into people's bodies in order to control them with the aid of 5G technology," the Synod's appeal emphasizes.

 

According to the document, "Bill Gates is considered the main person responsible for the creation of the technology of microchips by means of vaccine, which introduces nanoparticles into an organism that react to waves transmitted by 5G technology and enable a system of remote control of people."

 

Meanwhile, as reported earlier by the National Agency for Regulation in the Area of Electronic Communications and Information Technology, 5G networks and technologies have not been tested or used in Moldova. (tr. by PDS, posted 21 May 2020)


 

ORTHODOX CHURCH OF MOLDOVA DEMANDS PREMIER PERMIT TRADITIONAL SERVICES

Interfax-Religiia, 20 May 2020

 

The Orthodox Church of Moldova threatened Prime Minister Ion Chicu that it will cease praying for him in churches if traditional worship services, with observance of all rituals, are not permitted.

 

In its appeal to the premier, the Synod of the Orthodox church expresses its disagreement with the decision of the Commission on Public Health about measures for combating the pandemic, which will be in effect until 30 June. In particular, members of the Synod are displeased that the commission permitted conducting worship services only in the open air and not inside churches.

 

"In a secular state, not only do the authorities make demands on religions, but religions also have the right to speak about their own expectations. While taking into account that the church is separated from the state, it would be possible to recommend respectfully that we be invited to the negotiating table in order to make a decision," the document notes.

 

"By these measures, you strike not only at the moral and religious foundations of this nation but also at your own citizens, whom you are treating like an ordinary mass of voters," the appeal emphasizes.

 

Members of the Synod warned the prime minister that they will cease praying for him in churches. "We reserve for ourselves the canonical and moral right to exclude you from commemoration during prayers in the churches. Do not fight against the church, because Christ is defending it, and in fighting with Christ you will never come out the victor!" the Synod emphasized.

 

In the period of emergency, from 17 March to 15 May, worship services with parishioners present were forbidden. Several priests, who violated the prohibition, were fined. From 16 May, worship services are permitted, but only out of doors, with observance of social distance and other precautionary measures. (tr. by PDS, posted 21 May 2020)


DODON: ON THE METROPOLITANATE'S DECISION TO EXCLUDE PREMIER FROM CHURCH PRAYERS

Unimedia.info, 20 May 2020

 

Prime Minister Ion Chicu is the last politician who it is possible to exclude from the list of canons. Such is the opinion of the head of state, Igor Dodon, Unimedia writes.

 

"I regard the Orthodox Church of Moldova with full respect. I recall that the church is separated from politics and from the state. I would hope that our church would exclude from the canons those who voted for and promoted the law on equal opportunity, which was a great problem. At the current stage, in my view, it is incorrect to attack the government, which is doing everything possible for supporting stability in the country. I understand everything, but the Chicu government is facing an unprecedented pandemic. The government has not closed churches. I want to remind everybody of what has happened in other countries, where churches were closed and priests, who conducted worship services, were arrested. Churches have not been closed either in the time of the Soviet Union or now. With all respect for churches, I consider that Chicu, really, is the last of the politicians who can be excluded from the canons," Dodon declared.

 

We recall that the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, led by Metropolitan Vladimir, asked Prime Minister Ion Chicu to reconsider by 30 June new orders of the National Emergency Commission of Public Health, regarding the conduct of worship services and other traditional religious meetings, so that believers may go to church. They warned the head of government that otherwise he will be "excluded from commemoration and prayers of the church."

 

Prime Minister Ion Chicu reacted to the statement of the metropolitanate of Moldova with the following message: "Forgive me, Lord, and save me from sin, and give me reason and strength to react wisely and calmly to such things. Let's be merciful and understanding. For each of us it may happen that our reason is clouded by the power of instincts and temptations." (tr. by PDS, posted 21 May 2020)


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