The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Addresses the World Community over the Persecution of the EОСC

On April 11, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia addressed the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches and leaders of foreign churches regarding the adoption by the Estonian Parliament of a draft law that effectively discriminates against Orthodox Christians in the country. The amendments to the law on churches and parishes put the legitimacy of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church, which is part of the Moscow Patriarchate, under threat and violate basic principles of freedom of religion. This is reported by the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In his address, Patriarch Kirill expressed deep concern about these legislative changes, emphasizing that they grossly violate the rights of Orthodox communities in Estonia. “The law, which seeks to deprive the Church of its legitimacy, violates the fundamental right to freedom of religion, guaranteed both by the Constitution of Estonia and by international acts,” he noted.

The Patriarch addressed the leaders of other Orthodox Churches, such as His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, as well as the heads of other Christian denominations and inter-church organizations, calling on them to support the Estonian Orthodox Church during these difficult times. He stressed the importance of unity among the clergy and faithful in their struggle to preserve their rights.

Particular attention was given by Patriarch Kirill to state leaders such as Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and U.S. President Donald Trump, urging them to support the defense of Christian values and the rights of Orthodox Christians in Estonia.

“I count on your fraternal support in this difficult time for Estonian Orthodoxy,” Patriarch Kirill stated, emphasizing the importance of international solidarity.

The addresses were also sent to international organizations, particularly to the UN and the OSCE, asking them to pay attention to the violations of the rights of Orthodox Christians in Estonia and to support them in their fight for freedom of religion. Patriarch Kirill emphasized that such restrictions on religious expression should not go unanswered on the international stage.

Patriarch Kirill called on the clergy and faithful to unite efforts to protect their Church and their faith from external pressure.

It should be reminded that the rectors of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EОСC) received from the Church leadership the draft of a new parish statute. According to the document, the proposed changes significantly limit the autonomy of the parishes and complicate the possibility of independently transitioning under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.