EOCC and Pühtitsa Monastery Appeal to the U.S. Commission on Pressure from Estonian Authorities

Representatives of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (formerly the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate) and the Pühtitsa Stavropighial Monastery have appealed to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, alleging discriminatory pressure from Estonian authorities. In an official letter signed by lawyers Stephen-Hristo Evestus and Arthur Knyazev, they speak about legislative changes that, according to the petitioners, violate freedom of religion and threaten the existence of the church community. This was reported by the ERR.ee website.

They emphasize that they repeatedly tried to engage in dialogue with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs, but were denied a meeting, and the law was passed without proper analysis. Particular concern is raised over public statements about the «influence of Moscow» on the nuns from Kuremäe and the general attempt to stigmatize the church’s canonical ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.

«All this is justified by the state through canonical ties with a foreign religious organization – in this case, the Russian Orthodox Church. Despite the fact that the activities of the church and the monastery fully comply with Estonian law and there is no evidence of illegal behavior, they have become targets of pressure due to their canonical structure. Although the church and monastery express disagreement with the war in Ukraine, pray for peace, and adhere to the constitutional order of the Estonian Republic, they are now facing an existential threat, including the possible severance from their long-established religious tradition,» the statement reads.

According to the authors of the petition, the situation in Estonia is dangerous because the changes to the law were rushed, without inclusive discussion, and create a risk of interference with the activities of religious organizations. It is also noted that the church has already filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights, and the appeal to the U.S. Commission is the next step in their international legal protection.

The petitioners call for international support to prevent violations of religious freedom similar to those that, according to the lawyers, have already raised concerns with USCIRF in the case of Ukrainian legislation.

It is worth recalling that the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (EAOC), under the jurisdiction of the Constantinople Patriarchate, issued a statement amid discussions about legislative changes regarding religious organizations in Estonia. The document includes a call for «peace, love, and cooperation» between the state, clergy, and communities of the EAOC and the EOCC. At the same time, the EAOC supported the changes to the law that allow the closure of religious organizations that the government considers a threat to national security.