THE Primate of the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Stephanos, has broken his silence on the Moscow-linked Estonian Orthodox Church (EOC-MP) (News, 24 August 2024) by outlining a plan for the latter’s future. The EOC-MP is under state examination and at risk of being prohibited under pending legislation.
The plan proposes that it function as a vicariate under his Church, which would disconnect it from its canonical relationship with the Moscow Patriarchate. It would eventually be placed under the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul.
The plan is said to provide flexibility for the EOC-MP, enabling it to retain its liturgical church traditions, but, instead of commemorating Patriarch Kirill at the altar, it will commemorate Metropolitan Stephanos. “I told our Russian brothers that I have no intention of subordinating their Church to ours,” Metropolitan Stephanos was quoted as saying in a report by the news website Orthodox Times.
He continued: “Despite the difficult and complex period that Orthodox Christians in Estonia are currently facing, an opportunity has emerged to seek reconciliation together and to build a future in which, while remaining faithful to our ecclesiastical principles and foundations, all Orthodox in Estonia can live together in peace and love.”
Last year, Metropolitan Evgeniy, the Primate of the EOC-MP, was forced to leave the country for reasons related to national security. In his absence, Bishop Daniel (Lepisk) of Tartu has stepped in as de facto church leader, and has been actively resisting Estonia’s legislative initiatives.
“We cannot abandon our canonical connection, as it is a fundamental part of our faith,” Bishop Daniel explained at a recent UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. “We believe the Estonian authorities’ actions contravene international law, and could lead to severe consequences, including fostering societal hatred and human-rights violations.”
In a separate statement, the Bishop spoke about the unwillingness of local parishioners to change jurisdiction, and said that everyone should be able to choose where they want to pray “without state interference in this fundamental right”.
“Any connection with Moscow, including the canonical connection with the Moscow Patriarchate, is automatically perceived a threat,” he said. “Such simplification does not take into account either the true nature of the Church or the needs of the local community. After all, the Church is not just an administrative structure.”
The members of the Kuremäe Orthodox Convent, in Estonia, established in 1891, also fear potential closure, because they are governed by the Moscow Patriarchate.
The Convent and the EOC-MP filed a complaint to the Supreme Court in Estonia after the Parliament (Riigikogu) last year adopted a statement that described the Moscow Patriarchate as an “institution supporting the military aggression of the Russian Federation”.
The Supreme Court refused to hear their complaint because a previous court ruling had already rejected it.
