Estonian intellectuals speak out in defense of the Estonian Orthodox Church

Representatives of Estonian intellectuals published an open letter in defense of the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church. The letter was signed by university professors, doctors, artists, and even representatives of other Christian denominations. The authors of the letter point out the inadmissibility of discrimination and selective treatment of citizens of the country, especially on religious grounds. The letter was published on the official website of the Estonian Church.

«The Orthodox, who are members of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EOC MP) and are mostly Estonian citizens, live in Estonia, respect Estonian laws and values, are spreading false ideas that they pray in their churches for Russian soldiers to occupy Ukraine. The members of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, who have found their way in this faith, are considered accomplices of the Putin regime. These Estonian residents are easily compared to Taliban and ISIS terrorists. It is sad to hear such thoughts from the mouths of respected people,» — the letter says.

The authors of the letter noted that the Church is being imposed on the transition to the structure of the Patriarchate of Constantinople against the will of the clergy and faithful. They called on the authorities to stop the pressure on the GOC and abandon the intention to ban the Church.

«It is often said that the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church will take the EOC MP and the Pühtitsa Monastery under its wing — this has already happened in history. But today is not history. If these people wanted to become members of the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church, they would have done so. The reason why a person ends up in a particular church can only be explained by his or her conscience. One cannot blame the members of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate or the nuns of the Pühtõti Monastery for wanting to preserve their religious identity and maintain their connection with their native Church. The transition to another Church is a complex process that no one should be forced to do. […] Let’s allow people to remain in their faith if, while believing, they comply with the laws of the Republic of Estonia. They have not done anything illegal to restrict their faith and their rights. Especially in a situation where the autonomous Church operating in Estonia has unequivocally condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,» — the letter added.

As reported, on March 26, 2025, amendments to the Estonian Law on Churches and Parishes, designed to restrict the activities of the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church, passed the second reading in the country’s Parliament. The final discussion of these amendments and the third reading are scheduled for April 9 in the Riigikogu.