Tallinn, August 21, 2024
Photo: orthodox.ee
The Council of the Estonian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) adopted new statutes yesterday, granting itself administrative independence.
According to the EOC press service, the Council’s “main task was to approve ways to achieve greater administrative independence for the Church, taking into account the agreements reached in negotiation with the state.”
Recall that the 
Estonian Parliament declares Russian Church accomplice in state aggression, Estonian hierarch respondsThe Riigikogu adopted a statement on Monday, May 6, which formally identifies the Moscow Patriarchate as a supporter of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“>Estonian Parliament declared the Moscow Patriarchate an institute supporting Russian military aggression on May 6, thus prompting the Ministry of the Interior’s 
Estonia’s Pukhtitsa Monastery: If the state wants us to change jurisdiction, it can make its own appeal to the PatriarchIf the government of the Republic of Estonia, represented by the Minister of Internal Affairs, insists on changing the jurisdiction of the monastery, then as the initiator of the process, the government itself may approach Patriarch Kirill with a proposal to cancel the stavropegial status of Pukhtitsa Monastery. Abbess Philareta noted that such a course is canonically legitimate for the convent’s residents.”>call for the Estonian Church to separate from the Patriarchate.
In late July, 
Estonia: Church agrees with state on steps to separate from Moscow PatriarchateOn July 30, representatives of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, including the Church’s lawyer, the Holy Dormition-Pukhtitsa Convent, and the Ministry of the Interior met to review current activities and discuss possible future scenarios.
“>it was reported that the Church had reached a relevant agreement with the state, although that news was soon 
News of Estonian agreement on separating from Moscow Patriarchate removed from Church siteNews of an agreement between the Estonian Orthodox Church and state authorities on steps towards separating from the Moscow Patriarchate has been removed from the site of the Estonian Orthodox Church.”>removed from the EOC website. However, today’s news again refers to the agreement reached with the state.
The Council adopted amended statutes for the EOC, “which establish independence in Church-administrative, Church-economic, Church-educational, and Church-civil affairs.”
For the Moscow Patriarchate, the EOC is a self-governing Church within the Patriarchate, and it’s unclear from the EOC press release whether the amended statutes are meant to change the Church’s status or simply more accurately reflect the existing reality of its administration. According to His Grace Bishop Daniil of Tartu, vicar of the Tallinn Diocese, 
Estonian Orthodox bishop: We’re not going to join Constantinople’s ChurchThe history of Orthodoxy in Estonia dates back to Russian missionaries of the 10th-12th centuries. Constantinople’s parallel jurisdiction was established in 1996.
“>in an interview earlier this month, the EOC already had such independence anyways, maintaining only a canonical tie to the Moscow Patriarchate, and thus the statutes could be amended accordingly.
The Church’s name was also changed to the “Estonian Orthodox Church,” without reference to the Moscow Patriarchate, as given by the 1993 tomos of self-governance from His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia.
Further, “The Council approved the Synod’s activities in the negotiation process with the state and expressed confidence that Orthodox Christians in Estonia will find ways and means to heal the schism based on canonicity, mutual respect, and equality.” Recall that the Patriarchate of Constantinople established a parallel jurisdiction in Estonia in 1996, and to this there remain two Orthodox Churches in Estonia.
The EOC report concludes:
The Council decided to continue its activities for full participation in solving the emerging crisis issues, instructing the Synod of the Estonian Orthodox Church to determine the timing of the next session of the Council in due course.
The Council noted the importance and significance of today. On the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of independence of the Republic of Estonia, we pray for the prosperity of Estonia as a sovereign state, for the preservation of its culture, traditions, and freedom. May peace, stability, and well-being remain with the people of Estonia for many years to come.
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