Law on banning the Estonian Church adopted in the Parliament of the Republic

On January 23, 2025, the Estonian parliament (Riigikogu) approved for consideration a bill submitted by Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets that would amend the Law on Churches and Parishes. This law is intended to limit the activities of the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church in view of its ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. This is reported by ERR.EE.

At a press conference following the government meeting, Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Laenemets said that churches, monasteries or other religious associations operating in Estonia cannot be associated with a foreign governing body that poses a threat to the republic. They also cannot be associated with an organization that supports military aggression. According to Lauri Laenemets, these legislative amendments are necessary because the Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate, “is the most important instrument of influence in Estonia for Russia and the Kremlin.” If the Riigikogu approves the initiative, the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church will have to change its charter within 2 months of the adoption of the law, completely withdrawing from the subordination of the Russian Orthodox Church.

“This undertaking is necessary because the Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate, is the most important instrument of influence for Russia and the Kremlin in Estonia. This must be put to an end. We have seen how Moscow has used religious organizations to achieve its goals in Moldova, Ukraine and other countries, and I can say that there is no doubt that it has done so and will continue to do so in Estonia,” — Laenemets said.

As reported, on January 10, 2025, the third session of the Council of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate was held in Tallinn at the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Quickly Obedient”. The session addressed the future of the EOC in the context of the Estonian government’s demand to sever ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. One of the decisions was the second change of the Church’s name in the last year and a half.