Moldovan police have stopped a bishop from traveling to Jerusalem hours ahead of the Easter celebration on April 20
The Russian Orthodox Church has condemned Moldovan authorities for blocking a bishop from traveling to Jerusalem for the ‘Holy Fire’ ceremony ahead of Orthodox Easter on April 20. Patriarchate spokesman Vladimir Legoyda called the move “outrageous” and politically motivated.
The Holy Fire is believed by Orthodox Christians to miraculously descend each year on Holy Saturday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the presumed site of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Pilgrims traditionally light candles from the flame and bring them home as sacred relics.
Bishop Marchel of the Moldovan Orthodox Church said police prevented him and two clerics from boarding their flight to Jerusalem. “They didn’t let us depart. They announced a second-category search. After that, they issued a protocol stating that nothing suspicious was found or confiscated. Our passports were returned 30 minutes after the plane had left,” the bishop told TASS on Thursday.
Legoyda condemned the move in a Telegram post on Friday. “This is a completely outrageous decision by the Moldovan authorities, a deliberate mockery of the faithful of the Orthodox Church of Moldova,” he said. “To deprive people of the opportunity to touch the holy relic delivered from the ancient city of Jerusalem on Holy Saturday!”
He accused Moldovan leaders of using religion for political leverage. “The advisers to the Moldovan authorities, who are clearly far from Christianity, believe they are achieving some kind of a political goal. Do you think you will excommunicate people from Christ, prevent them from rejoicing in the Easter holiday? As the prophet David said, you will fall into the very pit you are digging for others.”
