EOCC Challenges New Amendments to Law Threatening Religious Freedoms

On April 10, 2025, attorneys representing the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC) and the Pühtitsa Dormition Monastery filed an appeal with Estonian President Alar Karis regarding recent amendments to the Law on Churches and Religious Congregations. These amendments, adopted by the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) on April 9, effectively ban religious organizations affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate, including the EOCC and Pühtitsa Monastery. This is reported by the official website of the EOCC.

The appeal, submitted by attorneys Steven-Christo Evestus and Artur Knyazev, argues that the amendments pose a serious threat to religious freedoms. They assert that the new law grants the Minister of Internal Affairs the power to forcibly terminate the activities of religious organizations, which violates both Estonian constitutional law and international legal norms.

The attorneys emphasize that the amendments violate the freedom of religion by granting the state the authority to terminate the activities of law-abiding religious organizations solely because they maintain canonical ties with the Moscow Patriarchate—an institution that the Estonian Parliament has recognized as supporting Russian aggression. According to the lawyers, this move contradicts the principles of religious freedom enshrined in both the Estonian Constitution (Article 40) and the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 9), which protect the collective practice of faith as long as it does not harm public order, health, or morals—a claim that has not been substantiated in this case.

They further stress that the EOCC and Pühtitsa Monastery have always adhered to the law and have not caused harm to public order. The appeal also points out that no clear explanation has been provided for how the termination of these religious organizations would address security issues.

The appeal also raises concerns about the future of approximately 180,000 people who will be affected by the law. The attorneys note that no concrete action plan has been developed in case canonical ties are not severed.

Additionally, the lawyers argue that the forced termination of a religious organization should be a last resort and that the government has not justified why existing regulations are insufficient or why less restrictive measures, such as administrative supervision or transparency obligations, have not been considered.

In conclusion, the attorneys request that the president refrain from signing the amendments into law, as they contradict the Constitution, international law, and harm the democratic values of a diverse society. The appeal was signed by both attorneys as representatives of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church and the Pühtitsa Dormition Monastery.

It is worth noting that on April 11, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia addressed the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches and leaders of overseas churches regarding the passage of the bill by the Estonian Parliament, which effectively discriminates against Orthodox Christians in the country.