Published on, Sept. 26 -- September 26, 2025 10:40 AM

CHISINAU: Moldovan Orthodox priests say they were offered money, free trips, and gifts by the Russian Orthodox Church in exchange for promoting anti-Western messages ahead of Moldova's crucial parliamentary elections.

Father Mihai Bicu and dozens of other priests visited Russia last year on all-expenses-paid pilgrimages, where they received debit cards with funds after being told to set up social media channels warning against Moldova's push toward the EU.

Since then, almost 90 new Telegram channels linked to Moldovan parishes have spread daily posts claiming EU integration threatens traditional values and religion. Analysts say the campaign is part of a wider Kremlin effort to sway...