The Metropolis of Chisinau and All Moldova denies any involvement in sending priests to Moscow lately. In a reaction to media reports, the Church said that it did not organize or coordinate any such “pilgrimages”.

“In the context where some might perceive these pilgrimages as having a political overtone, we want to firmly emphasize the position of the Metropolis: the Orthodox Church vehemently condemns the involvement of clerics in politics or propaganda activities”, as statement by the Metropolis reads.

The priests who returned from Moscow denied that they had accepted any form of financial aid from their hosts. “We must remind priests again of their responsibility to remain neutral and refrain from engaging in political activities. The Metropolis reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the integrity of its clergy and to keep the Moldovan Orthodox Church free from any political influences”, the statement added.

An investigation published by deschide.md alleged that the Russian Patriarchate partnered up with the Shor group to fly clerics of the Moldovan Orthodox Church to Moscow in a bid to buy their favors.