Estonia approves law obligating local Orthodox Church to sever relations with Moscow Patriarchate

TALLINN. April 9 (Interfax) - The Estonian parliament on Wednesday approved in the third and final reading changes to the law on churches and parishes that obligate the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (previously the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate) to sever relations with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Sixty MPs voted for the amendments, and 13 voted against them. The Estonian parliament has 101 MPs.

"A church, a parish or a monastery operating in Estonia cannot be guided in their activities by a person or an association that has significant influence and are located in a foreign state [...] if they pose a threat to Estonia's security, constitutional system or public order," the document said.

"A person who is not allowed to live or stay in Estonia cannot be a clergyman or a board member of a religious association," it said.

Churches and communities have been given two months from the entry into force of the law to bring their charters, board compositions or activities into compliance with the law.

Metropolitan Eugene of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is a citizen of Russia.

The bill on the changes is regarded as targeted primarily against the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church. It was initiated by the government, which, along with the parliament, which had adopted a special statement, demanded that the former Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate sever relations with the Russian Orthodox Church and change its charter and name, threatening to declare the church outside the law. The authorities linked their demand to the fact that the Russian Orthodox Church supports the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.

In 2024, the Estonian Interior Ministry declined to prolong the permanent residence permit of Metropolitan Eugene of Tallinn and All Estonia, the head of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, and he had to leave the country.

In March 2025, the Tartu county court approved the new name of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church. The court decision is final and has taken legal force.

The Interior Ministry earlier denied the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate a new version of the charter and registration under a new name. The church contested the ministry's decision in court.