ROC responds to passage of law in Estonia effectively banning EOC

Meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, April 10, 2025. Photo: patriarchia.ru

On April 10, 2025, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church held a remote meeting during which it issued a statement condemning a new Estonian law, describing it as discriminatory and a violation of religious freedom for Estonian citizens. In response, on April 11, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' sent appeals to the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches, leaders of other Christian denominations and inter-Christian organizations, as well as to heads and representatives of international institutions. This was reported by the ROC’s Department for External Church Relations.

In his letters, Patriarch Kirill emphasized that the new law strips the Estonian Orthodox Church (EOC) of its legitimacy and violates fundamental principles of freedom of conscience and religion.

“With deep concern, I inform you that on April 9, 2025, the Estonian Parliament passed amendments to the Law on Churches and Congregations aimed at effectively banning the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church – an autonomous Church within the Moscow Patriarchate. The law, which deprives it of legitimacy, violates the fundamental principle of freedom of conscience and religion as guaranteed by the Constitution of Estonia and relevant international agreements,” the Patriarch stated.

He called on Christian leaders “who can open their mouths for justice” to stand in support of the EOC.

Among the recipients of the appeals were the Patriarchs and heads of the Orthodox Churches, including the Churches of Antioch, Jerusalem, Georgia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Poland, the Czech Lands and Slovakia, America and Canada, as well as the Churches of Ohrid and North Macedonia. Patriarch Kirill asked them to pray for the persecuted Church and expressed hope for their fraternal support.

In addition, letters were sent to the heads of other Christian denominations such as the Coptic, Roman Catholic, Armenian, Assyrian, Maronite, Malankara, Ethiopian, and Eritrean Churches, as well as the Anglican Church and the World Council of Churches.

Patriarch Kirill also reached out to political leaders, including Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and U.S. President Donald Trump, acknowledging their efforts to defend Christian values.

Appeals were also sent to the leaders of international organizations such as the United Nations, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe, urging them to address the violation of believers’ rights in Estonia.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) passed amendments during the third reading of the Law on Churches and Congregations, targeting the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church, which is part of the Moscow Patriarchate.

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