Estonia passes law severing Church’s canonical ties with Russian Church

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on Toompea Hill. Photo: Sander Ilvest

On April 10, 2025, the Estonian parliament (Riigikogu) passed amendments to the Church and Congregations Act during a third reading. The changes are aimed at the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (ECOC), formerly known as the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. According to Postimees, 60 members of parliament voted in favor of the law, 13 opposed, and none abstained.

Under the new amendments, no church, monastery, or parish operating within Estonia may be subordinate to or maintain ties with a governing body located in a foreign state that the Estonian government considers a threat to national security, public order, or the constitutional system.

The law also prohibits any connection with individuals or institutions allegedly “promoting war, terrorist acts, violence, or supporting military aggression.”

Effectively, the new law demands that the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church fully sever its canonical ties with the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church. It requires the ECOC to make substantial changes to its statutes and cease all cooperation with the church’s headquarters in Moscow.

If the church fails to comply, Estonia’s Minister of the Interior will have the authority to petition the court for the dissolution of associated legal entities deemed to be in violation of the law.

As a reminder, on March 24, 2025, a court approved the request of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate to change its name to the “Estonian Christian Orthodox Church.” Nevertheless, the authorities proceeded with amendments to the law specifically targeting this Church.

Read also