Estonian and Lithuanian Churches strengthen cooperation amid pressure on Orthodoxy in Estonia

Bishop Daniel of Tartu, vicar of the Tallinn diocese of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCOC), visited Vilnius, where agreements were reached on cooperation with the Lithuanian Orthodox Church. This step was taken against the backdrop of serious pressure exerted on the EOCC by the Estonian authorities, who are demanding the severance of canonical ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. In his interview, Bishop Daniel spoke about the details of the cooperation, the difficult situation for believers in Estonia, and relations with other Orthodox jurisdictions in the country.

During his visit to Lithuania, Bishop Daniel met with hierarchs of the Lithuanian Orthodox Church and agreed to work together to ensure the rights of believers. According to the newspaper “Orthodox Lithuania”, a significant part of the interview was devoted to the extremely difficult situation in which the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church finds itself. Bishop Daniel spoke about the unprecedented pressure from the state. In particular, the Estonian parliament (Riigikogu) passed a law requiring the EOCOC to sever all ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. Although the president of the country twice refused to proclaim the law because of its inconsistency with the Constitution, the State Court is now deciding its fate. In addition, the Primate of the EPCC, Metropolitan Eugene, was not renewed his residence permit, forcing him to leave the country. “Immediately after his departure, claims have already been brought against our entire Church,” the bishop said, also mentioning the decision of the Tallinn city authorities to deprive the Church of the chancery premises it has occupied for almost two hundred years.

Tensions are exacerbated by relations with another Orthodox structure in the country, the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (EAPC), which is under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. According to Bishop Daniel, representatives of the EAPC actively support the actions of the authorities and make accusations against the EOOC. He also commented on the recent proposal of the head of the EAPC Metropolitan Stephan to join the EPCC to his structure on the rights of a vicariate. “We really did not appreciate this proposal because we do not consider it adequate,” Bishop Daniel said, noting that the EPCC is several times larger than the EAPC in terms of the number of believers and has an autonomous status. He emphasized that the believers and clergy do not want a change of jurisdiction, while remaining law-abiding and loyal residents of Estonia.

Despite all the difficulties, church life continues. The bishop mentioned that many parishes have been enriched with refugees from Ukraine, who in three years have become “native, full-fledged members of the parishes”. Addressing his flock, Vladyka Daniel urged to draw comfort from the Gospel. “The Lord said that sometimes it is given to suffer for the faith. We take it as a bitter cup that He allows us to drink. Everything happens according to the will of God, and all these trials purify souls,” he concluded.

Earlier we reported that against the backdrop of the protracted confrontation over the amendments to the Law on Churches and Parishes, the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church issued an official statement calling for dialog instead of confrontation. The Riigikogu has once again passed a controversial bill that President Alar Karis has already returned twice for revision due to inconsistency with the Constitution. The Church expresses its deep concern that the legislative process, which directly affects its activities, is taking place without its participation.