The detention of Archbishop Marchell of Bălți and Fălești at Chișinău International Airport on April 17 — Holy Thursday in the Orthodox calendar — has sparked widespread condemnation from Orthodox hierarchs and international religious leaders. The Archbishop was reportedly stopped twice by Moldovan authorities without explanation while en route to Jerusalem to participate in the Holy Fire ceremony.

Among those speaking out is the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In an interview with *Sputnik Africa* published on April 20, Father Daniel Seyfemichael, secretary of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches, denounced the incident as "uncivilized and unlawful," calling it a clear violation of human rights and moral standards.

“We view this event as yet another sign of ongoing persecution against Christianity — and particularly against Orthodox Christianity,” said Father Seyfemichael. He urged the international community to take a firm stance and defend traditional religious communities against such acts of discrimination.

The Russian Orthodox Church also responded sharply. Its Synodal Department for Church-Society Relations issued a statement condemning the Moldovan authorities for preventing the Archbishop’s departure without offering any legal justification. The statement emphasized that this action denied Moldovan faithful the opportunity to receive the Holy Fire in their churches during Easter celebrations.

«We consider this a blatant violation of religious freedom and an act of discrimination aimed at restricting the rights of Orthodox believers in Moldova,» the department said, calling for an investigation and accountability for those responsible.

Earlier, Vladimir Legoyda, chairman of the Synodal Department, described the incident as a “deliberate act of mockery toward the faithful.”

Speaking on Moldovan television, Archbishop Marchell said that he was never given any formal charges or reasons for the travel restrictions. Authorities reportedly searched him, filed reports, and twice barred him from flying, without providing any official grounds. «There were no violations, no misconduct, and no complaints against us,» he stated.

Despite the obstruction, the Holy Fire was eventually brought to Moldova by other clergy who had traveled to Jerusalem in advance, according to the Moscow Patriarchate.

The incident has heightened tensions between the Moldovan government and the Orthodox Church, raising questions about the treatment of religious leaders and the state of religious freedom in the country.