Deschide.MD: Extremist sect in Moldova. Followers take oath to self-proclaimed "tsar" of Russia

IPN News/April 10, 2025

A new sect with extremist views, called the "Russian Orthodox Church – Tsarist Empire”, emerged in the Republic of Moldova ". The members of the cult, which numbers more than 500 people, are obliged to give up all their property in favor of the cult, said Deschide.MD, quoted by IPN.

According to data obtained by reporters of Deschide.MD, the sect is led by Dumitru Mihaile, self-proclaimed "Metropolitan Bishop, Grand Prince of All Moldavia Teognost", and by Zinaida Mihaile, who calls herself "Grand Princess of All Moldavia, Monastery Superior Teofania". The two live in the village of Stolniceni in Hancesti district, where there is the head office of the cult. Another office of the group is located in Dobrogea village of Sângera town (Chisinau municipality), and is administered by Alexandr Gariuc, self-proclaimed "Prince of Chisinau, Bishop Mark".

The sect defines itself as a branch of the extremist religious cult of the Russian Federation, called "Russian Orthodox Church – Tsarist Empire".

On his Facebook page, Dumitru Mihaile displays the Russian tsarist flag, which is also the official symbol of the cult. Deschide.MD said that, by a 2024 decision of the Court of Chisinau City, this flag was declared an extremist symbol.

Members of the cult promote anti-Semitic messages and messages that incite religious and racial hatred on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, especially through social media. At the same time, the cult has apocalyptic viiew and attracts people in vulnerable social situations or who are going through episodes of intense stress.

The cult aims to create an independent state, called "Triunitary Russia", which would include Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Republic of Moldova and other states. In Russia and Belarus, this organization is banned.

In discussions with Deschide.MD reporters, members of the cult – who asked for anonymity – said they were obliged to contribute financially to the organization. Part of the funds collected in the Republic of Moldova would be transferred to the Russian Federation. In order to be accepted into the sect, each member takes an oath to the "tsar", promising to defend him "up to the last drop of blood". Members renounce their identity documents, goods and do not recognize the authorities, the state or the official church.

The "tsar" referred to by the members of the cult is Leonid Vlasov, included by the Russian authorities on the list of terrorists and extremists. He proclaimed himself "the last Patriarch of Russia, Prophet Elijah". In February 2024, Vlasov was arrested in the city of Ulyanovsk, accused of creating, organizing and leading an extremist organization.

In the Republic of Moldova, the lured persons are forced to move to the localities of Stolniceni and Dobrogea, where the leaders of the cult live. A number of families were forced to take their assets, including money, divorce, take their children and move into the homes of Dumitru and Zinaida Mihaile. The leaders of the cult regularly carry out public activities, with the aim of attracting new followers, using methods of manipulation and psychological influence. They allegedly used physical force against children who refuse to participate in rituals.

Contacted by Deschide.MD reporters, secretary of the Metropolitan Church of Chisinau and All Moldova Vadim Cheibaș said that he knows nothing about this pseudo-cult. "The legislation on religions is quite free and entities of this kind can appear and it is not necessary for us to know them," he said.

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