Tallinn starts the process of breaking lease agreements with EOC-MP

The diocesan administration of the EOC in Tallinn. Photo: postimees.ee

On April 18, the Tallinn City Government sent an official notification to the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate regarding the termination of the lease agreement for the premises housing the office of the Metropolitan of Tallinn and other institutions of the Estonian Orthodox Church, Postimees reports. The authorities have terminated the lease agreement for the land plot under the episcopal administration of the Tallinn Diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Estonian Orthodox Church.

"As for the other agreements with the Moscow Patriarchate (MP) and its Estonian representation, we will await the decision of the state. Currently, the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky is municipal property, which is used by the church based on a lease agreement. We want the parishes to be able to continue their activities. During the discussion of legal issues, we will try to find solutions that would allow people to continue attending church," said Tallinn Mayor Evgeny Osinovsky regarding the city authorities' plans.

As reported by the UOJ, Estonia does not plan to declare the Russian Orthodox Church a terrorist organization, but the draft law discusses declaring the Moscow Patriarchate a supporter of terrorism, said Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets.

Read also