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Official statistics of thePridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, or Transnistria, show that 91 percent of the Transnistrian population adhere toEastern Orthodox Christianity, with 4 percent adhering to theCatholic Church.[1] Roman Catholics are mainly located in Northern Transnistria, a region with a notablePolish minority.[2]
Transnistria's government has supported the restoration and construction of new Orthodox churches. It affirms that the republic hasfreedom of religion and states that 114 religious beliefs and congregations are officially registered.
Eastern Orthodoxy is the dominant religion in Transnistria.
Most Orthodox Transnistrians are under the jurisdiction of theDiocese of Tiraspol and Dubăsari of theRussian Orthodox Church'sMetropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova. Since 5 March 2010, the ruling bishop has beenSabbas Volkov, Archbishop of Tiraspol and Dubăsari. The diocese includes seven deaneries;Tiraspol,Bender,Slobozia,Grigoriopol,Dubăsari,Rîbnița, andCamenca.[3] The cathedrals are located in Tiraspol and Dubăsari.
TheRomanian Orthodox Church is represented in Transnistria by theDiocese of Dubăsari and Transnistria [ro], asuffragan of theMetropolis of Bessarabia considered a continuation of the formerRomanian Orthodox Mission in Transnistria. It is based in the city of Dubăsari, however it is vacant.
The territory of Transnistria is under theDiocese of Chișinău and All Moldova [ru] of the Russian OrthodoxOld Believer Church. As of 2016, there are three Old Believer churches in Transnistria; the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in Tiraspol, the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in the village ofBîcioc, and the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in Bender.[4]
InRașcov, there is a rectory anda historic heritage church in operation named afterSaint Cajetan.[5] In Rîbnița, a church named after Saint Joseph is being built. There are no religious buildings in Tiraspol and Bender, although the issue of their construction is being considered.[6] Currently, the rites are held in the parish chapel of Tiraspol. Transnistrian parishes are headed byAnton Coșa, the Bishop of theRoman Catholic Church in Moldova.
Protestantism is represented in Tiraspol by the Church of Christ the Savior[7] and theSeventh-Day Adventist churches of Maranafa and Emmanuel.[8][9]
TodayIslam is one of the smallest religions in Transnistria, with the majority of the population being Orthodox oratheist, but until the beginning of the 20th century it was professed by a significant amount. It was centered in the city of Bender, the former center ofOttoman power in the region.[10]
The history of the spread of Islam in the region began after the TurkishSultanSuleiman the Magnificent defeated thePrincipality of Moldavia in August 1538. The mixed Romanian–Slavic population on the left bank of the Dniester was left open to the wild steppes from the east and was defeated. After fierce battles, the Turks occupied the entire territory of Moldavia, turning it into an Ottoman vassal. The city ofTighina, as well as the 18 villages adjacent to it, were turned into a Turkishraya called Bender. On the site of the former citadel, the famous Ottoman architectMimar Sinan designed a more advanced fortification called theBender Fortress.[10]Budjak Tatars settled behind its walls, forming the basis of local Muslims for more than 200 subsequent years.
In 1789, during theRusso-Turkish war,Prince Potemkin allowed the entire Muslim population of the besieged city to leave it with the possibility of selling houses, property and livestock. Most Muslims went toDobruja, becomingmuhacirs. On the map compiled in the same year, four mosques can be seen located on the territory of the fortress.[11] Bender itself finally ceded to theRussian Empire only in November 1806, and officially only in 1812.
There are 4synagogues in Transnistria, being in Tiraspol, Bender, Dubăsari and Rîbnița.[12][13][14] There are norabbis in Transnistria, so religious rites are performed byJewishhazzans who live in the territory of theRepublic of Moldova. Transnistrian Jews are united in the Association of Jewish Communities.
