The authorities recommended the Metropolitan Church that the services on the Resurrection Night should take place without the participation of parishioners. The delegation that will fly to Jerusalem to bring the Holy Fire will not get off the plane as the fire will be brought to the airport by am employee of Moldova’s Embassy. The state will not allocate money from the state budget for providing assistance to the Metropolitan Church.

“We recommended that the services should be held without parishioners. This is the recommendation for all the churches in the Republic of Moldova. As regards the blessing of food, the recommendation is not to bless this inside the church or in its yard. In many localities, the people will wait in their own yards and the priests will bless the food when walking by their gates,” Igor Dodon was quoted by IPN as saying in the talk show “Fourth Power” on N4 TV channel.  

Asked what measures will be taken if the priests do not follow authorities’ recommendations, President Dodon said it is not yet clear where the risks are bigger, in the shop or in the church.

“We should not find fault with the priests. They received the message. We discussed with the priests and almost all of them showed openness. We should not bring the churches in the focus of public discussions and should leave them alone,” he urged.

Igor Dodon also spoke about the delegation that is to bring the Holy Fire to Moldova. He reiterated that no member of the delegation will get off.

“I will not go to Jerusalem. The delegation flies to Israel, but no one will get off the plane. Someone from the Embassy will bring the fire there and the plane will take off. This is the procedure for all the delegations.”

As to the travel costs that will be incurred this way, President Dodon said this is not public money. “Money for such purposes cannot be allocated. Particular business entities decided to provide assistance in this regard,” he stated.

As regards the public reports that the Metropolitan Church asked for financial support from the state, Igor Dodon said this is not true.

“The state cannot cover such costs. The Church in our country is separated from the state. The state budget, the Republic of Moldova cannot provide public funds to support the Church. Evidently, the Church is in the situation in which it is. The businesses, parishioners can help it, but the state cannot.”