Estonia eschews registering new name of Orthodox Church

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn. Photo: rus.postimees.ee

The Estonian authorities demanded that the Estonian Orthodox Church change its name, but then refused to register the new one. In response, the Church intends to defend its rights in court, according to the EOC website.

The Estonian Orthodox Church has already changed its name twice due to pressure from the authorities, who are pushing for its break from the Moscow Patriarchate.

In August, the Church Council renamed it from the “Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate” to the “Estonian Orthodox Church,” but the registration department of the Tartu County Court refused to approve this name, citing that a similar name is already used by the Constantinople-subordinated Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church.

On January 10, the Church Council approved a new name – the “Estonian Christian Orthodox Church,” but the department again refused registration, claiming that the name was misleading, as it could create the impression that the Church represents all Orthodox believers in Estonia. Meanwhile, other religious organizations in the country use similar names without issue.

“We have decided to challenge this refusal in court because we consider it important to protect our rights,” said Bishop Daniil of Tartu, Vicar to Metropolitan Yevgeny of Tallinn, as quoted by the Church’s press service.

The Church’s statement emphasized that the refusal “raises questions about equal treatment,” as Estonia officially recognizes religious organizations with similar names, such as the Estonian Charismatic Episcopal Church, the Estonian Full Gospel Church, the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church.

“These examples confirm that the use of similar names is a common practice among religious organizations in Estonia. Therefore, it is unclear why our Church has been denied registration,” said Bishop Daniil.

According to him, the new name “accurately reflects the activities of the Church,” and the refusal to register it is “a clear restriction of religious freedom.”

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

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