One Nation, under God

At the border between Ukraine and Pridnestrovie, a devout believer joins a democratic protest and Virgin Mary along. The border saw spontaneous peaceful demonstrations in March 2006 to protest changes in Ukraine's border policy; changes which negatively affected Pridnestrovie and caused economic hardship for the citizens of this young country.

Showing faith: This little work of art is handcarved into a living tree near Bender, PMR. The cross is highlighted.

Following the declaration of independence and the formation of Pridnestrovie as a separate country, church authorities decided to remove the administration of the area's Orthodox Diocese from Chisinau, Moldova. To believers everywhere, this move underscored Pridnestrovie's sovereign status as a separate nation.

Igor Smirnov, president of Pridnestrovie, lays a wreath in honor of the fallen who died fighting for the country's independence.

Houses of worship, like this church, are an important part of the landscape of Pridnestrovie. As you travel the length of this country you will see one after another. After independence in 1990 the nation's new constitution now guarantees freedom of religion.

Pridnestrovie is a strongly Christian country so it is not surprising to find statues like this one of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ever since independence in 1990, an emergence of faith-based initiatives have spurred the country's growth.

Despite a World War II Romanian/Moldovan extermination campaign in 1941-1944 the Jewish community in Pridnestrovie is still strong. The Jewish influence is seen throughout the nation and at one point in our history more than 20% of city dwellers in the region were Jews. The country's freedom of religion, language freedom and freedom to choose schooling means that children are brought up in an atmosphere tolerant of their Jewish heritage.

From its vantage point in a Pridnestrovian cementary, this old wooden cross looks out over the nation: An independent Christian country in the new corner of Europe.

Churchgoers worshipping in Pridnestrovie. Ever since the country became independent churches are packed. In fact, new churches have had to be built to accomodate an upsurge in religious participation.