The Estonian state bears the obligation to protect the Estonian population from the effects of a terrorist regime. Based on the above, the Estonian Parliament has initiated a process to declare the Moscow Patriarchate an organisation supporting military aggression.
The Parliament statement is issued here.
Orthodox Churches in Estonia
There are two Orthodox Churches in Estonia: The Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church that is under the canonical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate in the canonical jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.
The above declaration does not concern the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church as they have no canonical connection to the Moscow Patriarchate.
The Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (MPEÕK) has a canonical connection to the Moscow Patriarchate – they are a part of the whole and in strict canonical subordination.
There are 35 congregations under MPEÕK in Estonia, all registered as independent legal persons.
LOCATIONS OF MPEÕK
In addition to MPEÕK, also the Pühtitsa Dormition Convent in Kuremäe and Alexander Nevsky Staurepegic Congregation in Tallinn answer directly to the Moscow Patriarchate.
The Options for MPEÕK Congregations
It is highly important to distinguish between the members of the congregations of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Moscow Patriarchate as an organisation. Members of MPEÕK congregations and people involved in their work cannot be automatically associated with the statements made by the Moscow Patriarchate.
Declaring the Moscow Patriarchate an institution supporting military aggression is not directed against the Orthodox members of MPEÕK congregations in Estonia. It will remain possible to practice the Orthodox faith in Estonia also in the future.
Individuals and religious associations can decide if they wish to continue to be associated with an organisation that supports military aggression or they choose another way to maintain communion with the Orthodox faith. These options are provided in Estonia.
The Ministry of the Interior aims to meet all MPEÕK congregations in Estonia to jointly discuss the possible solutions.
Last updated: 25.04.2024
