Orthodox association asks mayor of Chisinau to ban concertt organized by Adventists

Three young men who founded the Orthodox association “Pro Ortodoxia” oppose the holding of a concert by Adventists in downtown Chisinau on August 15. At a news conference on August 5, they said they share the position of the Metropolitan Church of Chisinau and All Moldova, which asked the Mayor General Dorin Chirtoaca to ban the concert, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Following multiple requests from Orthodox Christians, I call on you, Mister Mayor, as to a baptized Orthodox Christian, not to authorize the concert so as not to harm the feelings of the faithful of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, who make up 93% of the population,” the young men said, quoting a passage from the letter signed by His Holiness Vladimir. “We are aware that in a democratic society, the religious minorities have the right to assert themselves. The law is law, but we want to lay emphasis on morality,” said Vlad Madan, one of the members of “Pro Ortodoxia”. An alternative solution in the worst case is to change the place where the concert will be held so as it takes place in an isolated place, he said. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Vasile Pascari, senior specialist responsible for the activity of the public organizations and religious communities at the Chisinau City Hall, said that the City Hall cannot ban events, but only issue ordinances concerning their smooth running. “The application should be addressed to court, not to the mayor,” Pascari said.