Russia recruits Moldovan priests to spread propaganda

Reuters shared the findings in its extensive report on September 26.

Orthodox priests from Moldova were invited on pilgrimages to Russia and offered generous financial rewards in exchange for creating Telegram channels and spreading propaganda in Moscow’s and pro-Russian interests in Moldova.

The outlet provides the account of priest Mihai Bicu, who, along with dozens of colleagues, was taken on fully funded pilgrimages to Russia’s top Orthodox sites, repeated weekly since June.

During the trip, participants received 10,000 rubles each, attended pro-Russia lectures, and were given bank cards to later receive funds. They were also asked to create Telegram channels for their parishes.

After returning, Bicu received $1,200 but refused to follow the “plan from Moscow” and switched to another branch of the Orthodox Church.

Another priest, speaking anonymously, said he and his wife received Russian bank cards during a fall 2024 pilgrimage. They were later paid over $800, but denied any conditions. Four other priests reported hearing from colleagues about similar payments and being asked to create parish Telegram channels.

According to the report, over the past year, nearly 90 Telegram channels were established in Moldova, presenting themselves as parish information resources. They publish nearly identical anti-Western content almost daily, have thousands of subscribers, and activity has intensified as elections approach.

The most common themes in these messages claim Moldova’s traditional values are under threat, that the EU “will force Moldovans to accept LGBT rights,” which would lead to “moral degradation and the destruction of religious freedom.”

The Russian Orthodox Church did not deny the trips and said it finances the program for Moldovan colleagues to “support poor priests and strengthen fraternal ties.”

Archbishop Marchel, a leading figure in the Orthodox Church in Moldova, stated that accusations of a Russian influence campaign on elections are unfounded. He said the trips to Russia were simply pilgrimages to holy sites, and the creation of Telegram channels was the priests’ own initiative. The cards provided during the tours, he explained, were given for convenience when shopping in Russian church stores.

• On Sunday, September 28, Moldova will hold parliamentary elections, in which pro-Russian forces are openly trying to win as many votes as possible to strengthen their position in the country.