Difference between revisions of "Moldovan Orthodox Church"

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The '''Moldovan Orthodox Church''' is an autonomous church under the [[Church of Russia]]; it is to be distinguished from the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which is under the [[Church of Romania]], but has jurisdiction over some parishes in Moldova.
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==Religious demography of Moldova==
 
  
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The country has an area of approximately 13,000 square miles, and its official population, according to a census from the Soviet era, is approximately 4.5 million (unofficial estimates of the number of citizens working abroad range from 500,000 to 1 million). The predominant religion is Christian Orthodox. More than 90 percent of the population nominally belong to one of two Orthodox denominations.  
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More than 90% of the approximately 4.5 million citizens of Moldova marked on a Soviet census that they were Orthodox Christian.  Of the two jurisdictions, the Moldovan Orthodox Church (under the [[Church of Russia]]) has 1,080 parishes, compared to the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which has 84 parishes. Additionally, the [[Old Believers|Old Rite]] Russian Orthodox Church make up approximately 3.6% of the population.
  
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The Moldovan Orthodox Church, according to the State Service on Religious Issues, has 1,080 parishes; the Bessarabian Orthodox Church has 84 parishes. In addition, followers of the Old Rite Russian Orthodox Church (Old Believers) make up approximately 3.6 percent of the population. The religious traditions of the Orthodox Church are entwined with the culture and patrimony of the country. Many self-professed atheists routinely celebrate religious holidays, cross themselves, and even light candles and kiss icons if local tradition and the occasion demand.  
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The Orthodox Church and its practises are entwined with the culture of Moldova; hence, many self-professed atheists routinely celebrate religious holidays and do various actions that would normally denote Orthodoxy; however, this is done out of culture.
  
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Other faiths include Roman Catholics, Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh-day Adventists, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baha'is, Jews, followers of Reverend Moon, Molocans (a Russian group), Messianic Jews (who believe that Jesus was the Messiah), Lutherans, Presbyterians, Hare Krishnas, and some other charismatic Christian and evangelical Christian groups. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) has 2 congregations, with approximately 220 members.  
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==External links==
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*Source: [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24423.htm US State Department International Religious Freedom Report 2003]
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*[[w:Moldova|Wikipedia article on Moldova]]
  
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According to the most recently available numbers, the Jewish community has approximately 31,300 members, including approximately 20,000 living in Chisinau; 3,100 in Balti and surrounding areas; 2,200 in Tiraspol; 2,000 in Benderi; and 4,000 in small towns.
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[[Category:Jurisdictions]]
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Foreign missionaries represent many faiths and denominations.
 
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==Source==
 
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*[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24423.htm US State Department International Religious Freedom Report 2003]
 

Revision as of 06:13, May 13, 2006

The Moldovan Orthodox Church is an autonomous church under the Church of Russia; it is to be distinguished from the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which is under the Church of Romania, but has jurisdiction over some parishes in Moldova.

More than 90% of the approximately 4.5 million citizens of Moldova marked on a Soviet census that they were Orthodox Christian. Of the two jurisdictions, the Moldovan Orthodox Church (under the Church of Russia) has 1,080 parishes, compared to the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which has 84 parishes. Additionally, the Old Rite Russian Orthodox Church make up approximately 3.6% of the population.

The Orthodox Church and its practises are entwined with the culture of Moldova; hence, many self-professed atheists routinely celebrate religious holidays and do various actions that would normally denote Orthodoxy; however, this is done out of culture.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Moldovan_Orthodox_Church&oldid=30791"