Same-sex marriage law comes into force in Estonia

Estonia has legalized same-sex marriages. Photo: svoboda.org

As of January 1, Estonia's law on marriage equality has come into effect, allowing two consenting adults to marry regardless of their gender, reports The Guardian.

Thus, Estonia has become the first country in the post-Soviet space to recognize same-sex marriages.

The decision on marriage equality was adopted by the Estonian Parliament in June of last year. Out of 101 deputies, 55 supported the law, 34 opposed it, and the rest abstained or did not participate in the vote.

As earlier reported, Estonia's new law grants same-sex couples the right to joint adoption. A same-sex spouse will have the right to adopt the child of their spouse with the consent of the biological parent.

Read also

"Parishioners" brought to Lavra by buses on Epifaniy's name day, media

People from different regions were brought in an organized manner to the "service" of the head of the OCU at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Yermak consults fortune teller before important appointments, prosecutor says

Private correspondence with a fortune teller was found with the former head of the President's Office, in which he coordinated personnel decisions.

SBU searches home of Metropolitan Longin’s daughter

Law enforcement officers detained the hierarch's son-in-law, who has many children, and refused to allow a lawyer to participate in investigative actions at the family's private home.

Vienna hosts regional congress of Ukrainian Orthodox youth

Youth from seven European countries discussed the spiritual foundations of democracy and prayed for peace in Ukraine before a particle of the Life-Giving Cross.

Persecuted UOC community in Zadubrivka celebrates patronal feast

The faithful celebrated the Liturgy in a house church and held a water-blessing service at the site where a new church in honor of Venerable Amphilochius of Pochaiv is being built.

Thousands of faithful gather at Pochaiv Lavra for feast of St Amphilochius

The pilgrimage to the relics of Venerable Amphilochius of Pochaiv on his feast day is a long-standing tradition of the UOC.