Moldova

In ancient times, what we call today the Republic of Moldova, located in southeastern Europe between Romania and Ukraine, was part of Dacia, which became a protectorate of the Roman Empire. During the Middle Ages, the majority of what we call Moldova was part of the Principality of Moldavia. The eastern section of the principality was taken by Russia in 1812 and renamed Bessarabia in 1812, and it is this area that is the present-day Republic of Moldova.

Moldova allows freedom of religion and has this basic civil right written in its constitution. However, religious groups might find themselves unable to carry out daily activities due to constraints imposed by the authorities. Usually, the assorted religions throughout the country treat each other with tolerance, and relations are basically harmonious, but disagreements abound between the diverse groups of Christian Orthodox believers. In addition, accounts from several sources indicate that members of the Jehovah's Witnesses have experienced persecution, as have the priests and followers of the Orthodox Church.

[Page 814]The principal faith throughout Moldova is Christianity, with up to 90% of the people stating their adherence to the Eastern Orthodox Church. Within the umbrella of the Eastern Orthodox Church two independent churches exist that are members of two autocephalous (the hierarchical practice where the church head need not answer to anyone else, including bishops) structures. The sovereign Metropolis of Chişinǎu and Moldova (both are Russian Orthodox) possesses almost 1,200 churches, whereas the Metropolis of Bessarabia (Romanian Orthodox) has 124 churches. Almost 4% of the Moldovan population adhere to the religious tenets of the Old Rite Russian Orthodox Church, which is composed of what is called “Old Believers” (an allusion to the churches and its members that did not acknowledge the reorganization and restructuring started in the 1600s by Patriarch Nikon). It is sometimes hard to pinpoint where the Eastern Orthodox religious customs and practices begin and end, as they pervade Moldovan culture. Following traditions is considered highly important throughout the entire country; for instance, many atheists genuflect and kiss icons as though they believed in God, because it is what is expected. If they abstained, social pressure would likely force them to do so.

Other Christian groups include Roman Catholics, Baptists, Holiness (primarily Pentecostal in nature: speaking in tongues, charismatic preachers, etc.), Seventh-Day Adventists, Muslims (judged to be around 3,000), Jehovah's Witnesses, Baha'is (a monotheistic group that originated in Persia during the 1800s), Jews (approximately 32,000), Unification Church members, Molocans (a Protestant group that refused to abide by the dictates of the Russian Orthodox Church during the 1600s), Messianic Jews (those who believe the doctrines of Judaism but also believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah as foretold in the Hebrew Bible), Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Hindus (primarily Hare Krishna followers). Mormonism has also made headway in Moldova as there are 250 members comprising two different congregations.

The constitution states specifically that if a church wishes to organize and function in Moldova, it must inform the government and register itself. If the church does not acquiesce, it is impossible for it to own any property, have employees, or acquire burial plots in cemeteries. In addition, the constitution says that anything told within the walls of a confessional is considered sacrosanct and may not be violated by the government.

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