In Estonia, MIA employees to persuade believers to exit MP
Bishops Sergiy (left) and Daniel of the EOC-MP on their way to a meeting at the Ministry of Internal Affairs on April 16, 2024. Photo: Priit Mürk/ERR
Officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs plan to hold meetings with the parishes of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EOC-MP) to persuade them to leave the Moscow Patriarchate, ERR.ee reports.
"We have already held the first meetings and plan to further expand this activity next week," said Vice Chancellor for Population and Civil Society Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Raivo Küüt.
According to him, coordination of the next meetings is currently underway.
Raivo Küüt and Advisor to the Department of Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Ringo Ringvée explained the situation as follows: although the leaders of the EOC-MP have confirmed that they do not directly subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate and do not support the declarations of the World Russian People's Council, they are still not free from the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate and must obey its orders.
The publication informs that therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs suggests that the EOC-MP sever ties with the Moscow Patriarchate and join, for example, the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (EAOC), which is subordinate to the Patriarch of ConstantinopleЮ
According to Küüt, it will be officials who will visit the parishes instead of summoning representatives of the churches to Tallinn. The ministry will try to help the parishes and churches find a solution among themselves and act as an intermediary between them.
Ministry officials also stated that currently there is no activity threatening the security of Estonia on the part of clergy and parishioners of the EOC-MP; however, they fear that it will appear if they remain part of the Moscow Patriarchate.
At the same time, Raivo Küüt assured that the state does not intend to close churches or hinder the work of parishes that are part of the EOC-MP.
As the UOJ wrote, the process of terminating lease agreements with the EOC-MP has started in Tallinn.
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.