In a chilling ceremony in Moldova’s capital on December 14, Orthodox priest Anatol Cibric along with about 100 singing and banner-holding supporters ritually desecrated a public menorah, placing it at the feet of a statue of Stephan the Great.
Israel National News reported the priest’s words as:
Stephan the Great defended our country from all kinds of Zjids [a derogatory term for Jews], and now they come and put their menorah here. This is anarchy.
The capital of Moldova, Chişinău, is better known in Jewish history as Kishinev, site of some of the worst pogroms of the twentieth century. Romanian website Jurnal TV that posted the video reports that investigation by the authorities is pending.
Moldovan Priest Ritually Desecrates Menorah
Author
Dan Friedman
Dan Friedman is the director of content and communications at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. Formerly the executive editor and whisky correspondent of the Forward, he is the author of an illuminating (and excellent value) book about Tears for Fears, the 80s emo rock band.