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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 34298, member: 636"]
Moldovan authorities prevented Bishop Markell from flying to Jerusalem for the Holy Fire ceremony. The Orthodox Church of Moldova bishop reported missing his flight after officials held him at Chisinau airport.

Airport staff searched him twice and kept his passports until 30 minutes after his plane departed. Bishop Markell claimed this action prevented Orthodox Moldovans from receiving the holy relic traditionally brought from Jerusalem on Holy Saturday.

The bishop has previously defended the Russian Orthodox Church, putting him at odds with Moldovan leadership. He called the incident an "outrageous decision" that mocked Orthodox believers who make up most of Moldova's population.

Opposition leader Alexei Lungu from the Chance party criticized the government's response. He accused officials of using religion as a political tool and "betraying their people" through such actions against the church.

Bishop Markell belongs to the Orthodox Church of Moldova, which operates under the Russian Orthodox Church. He has often criticized both the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Moldovan authorities for their stance toward his religious organization.
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