Estonian parliament proposes split from Moscow Patriarchate to Estonian Orthodox Church

TALLINN. May 6 (Interfax) - The Estonian parliament adopted a statement condemning the Moscow Patriarchate for supporting the special military operation in Ukraine, and called on the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate to break off ties with the Moscow Patriarchate at its plenary session on Monday.

The statement adopted by a majority vote says that the Moscow Patriarchate should be recognized as "an institution supporting the military aggression of the Russian Federation."

"Orthodox associations and parishes should also independently assess the threat to public order and their members coming from hostile influence activities and take steps needed to sever ties with the Moscow Patriarchate," it said.

The lawmakers believe that "the constitutional right to freedom of religion must be preserved in the Republic of Estonia, taking into account the rights and freedoms of all people living here."

The Interior Ministry is also proposing to the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate that it break off ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. The ministry's officials are meeting with communities of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, urging them to become subordinate to the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.