In a deeply divided land, Bishop Marchel of Balti and Falesti is one of the most politically active priests in a country where 98 per cent of the population are Orthodox Christians – and where the Church has deep ties with Moscow and pro-Russian political circles.
Known for his hardline views about foreigners, other religious confessions and women, Marchel is also of the most influential priests in the Moldovan Orthodox Church – or Metropolis of Chisinau and All Moldova – which is canonically subordinated to the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate.
Immediately after serving in the Soviet Army as a driver for a tank unit, Marchel joined the Church as a monk in 1980. He quickly climbed up the ranks after studying in Odessa and Moscow.
