“We are out of politics": the Estonian Orthodox Church refused to comment on Patriarch Kirill's statements

The Holy Synod of the Estonian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) refused to evaluate the statements of Patriarch Kirill, as demanded by the Estonian Interior Ministry. The Estonian Church believes that their previous statement regarding the public activities of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church is exhaustive, and the EOC itself is called to spread the word of God, not political narratives. The official website of the EOC reports that.

“On September 16, 2024, a meeting of the Synod of the Estonian Orthodox Church (EOC) was held, where, among other things, the letter from the Chancellor of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Estonia, Tarmo Miilits, to the EOC episcopate regarding Patriarch Kirill’s speech of August 28, 2024, was discussed. The Synod confirmed its position that the EOC does not participate in political processes, and its opinion on the statements of the Patriarch has already been expressed in the statement of the Synod of the EOC MP of April 2, 2024,” – the report says.

In addition, the EOC emphasized that the Church independently builds relations with the state, since, according to the Charter, is independent.

“The EOC preaches the Gospel doctrine of the salvation of the world through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ – the Son of God. We believe the highest meaning and goal of human life is to overcome the sinful nature of man in order to recognize God and unite with Him, which is the guarantee of blessed eternal life. According to the Statute of our Church, we freely and independently build our relations with the Estonian state,” – the EOC added.

Recall, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Estonia appealed to the Estonian Orthodox Church with a demand to assess the statements of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, which the First Hierarch made during a sermon on the feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At that time, the Patriarch called the capitals of the former Soviet Union republics “important spiritual centers of the united Holy Russia”.