Estonia decides against declaring Russian Church a terrorist organization
Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Estonia. Photo: Eero Vabamägi
Estonia does not plan to declare the Russian Orthodox Church a terrorist organization, but the draft law concerns declaring the Moscow Patriarchate an accomplice to terrorism, said Estonian Minister of Internal Affairs Lauri Läänemets, according to Postimees.
"The only question is substantive ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. We prefer the church to do this (sever ties with Moscow) itself, take all necessary steps. We are ready to support the church and communities in every possible way," emphasized Läänemets.
He stated that the government's further plans involve discussing security threats directly with the EOC communities.
At the same time, representative of the Estonian Social Democratic Party, Deputy Jaak Aab, circulated a statement to his colleagues requesting signatures, condemning the Moscow Patriarchate for supporting the war. Initially, the draft statement mentioned recognizing the Moscow Patriarchate as an "organization supporting terrorism", but in the latest version, the wording "organization supporting military aggression" was used.
As the UOJ reported, on April 12, the Estonian Minister of Internal Affairs announced that he would initiate the recognition of the Moscow Patriarchate as a terrorist organization and intends to apply to the court to cease the activities of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate in Estonia.
Read also
The TCC abducted a priest of the Tulchyn Diocese of the UOC
The whereabouts of the archpriest of the UOC detained by the TCC are currently unknown.
In Odessa, the pagan holiday of Kupala was celebrated on the seashore
An ethno-festival 'Kupala Night' was held on the inclusive beach in Odessa.
Zelensky: I am not Prince Volodymyr, and Nawrocki is not a king
Zelensky attempted a play on the Polish president’s name by alluding to a “king,” although the name Karol derives from the Germanic Karl rather than from the word “king.”
A march was held in Macedonia in defense of the family and the Christian upbringing of children
In the city of Bitola, thousands of believers took part in a march to defend the right of young people to live according to the norms of the Orthodox faith.
Lavra strike sparked my fury, we will bring war back to “Rashka” – Zelensky
The Ukrainian president said the Russian strike on the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra made him furious and promised to “bring the war back” to Russian territory.
UGCC head: Ukraine and Poland are divided not by UPA struggle but by myths
Sviatoslav Shevchuk called for a return to the papal formula of reconciliation "we forgive and ask for forgiveness" and urged not to leave the topic of Polish-Ukrainian dialogue in the hands of politicians.