But parishioners are divided between two churches: the Moldova Metropolis, subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which reports to the Romanian Church.

“It is very important for Orthodox Easter for the Romanian community, we even take the bread to church and it’s part of our traditions,” she added.

The Romanian Church said its position rests on the decision taken at a meeting of the Orthodox primates and church representatives in January 2016. The initiative by Pope Francis and Patriarch ...

I never thought I’d be one of them. Attending church has always been important to me. The habit started early, as I attended the Romanian Orthodox Church in Detroit with my extended family every ...