Estonia makes law on forced exit of Orthodox Christians from Russian Church

Domes of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn. Photo: Siim Lõvi / ERR

According to the ERR news agency, a bill proposing amendments to the Law on Churches and Parishes has already been submitted to the Estonian Parliament. The document prohibits religious organizations in the country from having canonical or economic ties with spiritual centers that "pose a threat to Estonia’s security and constitutional order."

Once the law takes effect, the parishes of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EOC MP) will have two months to amend their statutes in accordance with the new requirements, effectively mandating a forced separation from the Moscow Patriarchate.

Ringo Ringvee, the Ministry of Internal Affairs' advisor on religious affairs, stated that authorities hope the Parliament will approve the amendments in the spring so they can take effect by the summer of 2025. Chairman of the Parliament’s Legal Committee, Andre Hanimyagi, promised to organize a broad discussion of the document before the second reading.

The Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs justified the need for these amendments by claiming that the Moscow Patriarchate and Patriarch Kirill "openly support Russia’s aggressive war in Ukraine" and "make statements that question Estonia’s sovereignty."

The ministry asserts that the main goal is not to close the parishes of the EOC MP or the Pühtitsa Monastery, which is directly subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate. However, according to the abbess of the Pühtitsa Monastery, the new law is effectively aimed at shutting down the monastery.

The bill also prohibits clergy who are banned from entering the country from performing religious services in Estonia. Previously, former head of the EOC MP, Metropolitan Yevgeny, was forced to leave the country after authorities refused to extend his residence permit.

Minister of Internal Affairs Lauri Läänemets expressed regret that over the past year, the EOC MP has been unable to find a new leader and that the Church "is still directly governed from Moscow."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Estonian Church had changed its name in response to government demands.

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