Tallinn, April 2, 2025
Photo: orthodox.ee
After a battle lasting several months, the Estonian Orthodox Church was finally able to register with a new legal name on Monday, March 31.
Thus, the Estonian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate is now officially known as the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (without mention of the Moscow Patriarchate), which it believes more accurately reflects its complete independence in all administrative matters, the Church reports.
Given the Estonian government’s ongoing campaign to ban the Estonian Church that is canonically part of the Moscow Patriarchate, the Church’s Council voted 
Estonian Church amends statutes to reflect administrative independenceThe Council of the Estonian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) adopted new statutes yesterday, granting itself administrative independence.
“>in August to amend its statutes to more fully “establish independence in Church-administrative, Church-economic, Church-educational, and Church-civil affairs.” It was also resolved at that time to change the legal name to simply the “Estonian Orthodox Church.”
However, although the changes were made to comply with state demands, the Tartu County Court’s registration department refused to register the new name. Thus, the Church Council changed the name again Estonian Orthodox Church changes name again under state pressureThe Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate held its third Council session on January 10, 2025, in Tallinn. The session addressed concerns raised by the Tartu County Court’s registration department regarding the Church’s statute adopted on August 20.
“>in January of this year, to the “Estonian Orthodox Christian Church.” The registration department again refused to accept the new name, but the Tartu County Court ruled Estonian Orthodox Church wins court battle over name change amid gov’t threats to ban itThe Estonian Orthodox Church won a legal victory on Monday. According to the latest ruling, the state may accept the new name recently adopted by the Estonian Orthodox Church.”>last month that the new title complies with the law and is no in way misleading as to the purpose, scope, or legal form of the Church’s activities.
“The new name emphasizes our mission—to serve all residents of Estonia while maintaining the continuity of centuries-old Orthodox traditions in Estonia. We strive to be an open and integral part of Estonian society,” the Church writes.
At the same time, the state continues its campaign against the Church. Estonia: Bill to ban Estonian Orthodox Church passes second Parliament reading—one more reading to goEstonian authorities have taken another step towards banning the Estonian Orthodox Church.
“>Last month, the Parliament passed in its second reading a bill that would ban any religious organization related to the Moscow Patriarchate, and it’s likely that it will pass its third reading later this month, after which it will go to the president for promulgation.
And at its session on March 27, the Holy Synod of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church highlighted another aspect of the state’s restriction of religious freedom.
According to a recently adopted amendment to the Constitution, citizens of third countries, including Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and others, are deprived of the right to vote in local elections. The problem is that, according to the current Law on Churches and Congregations (it is amendments to this law that aim to ban the Estonian Church), a person who doesn’t have the right to vote in local elections can’t function as a cleric in Estonia, which would endanger the ministry of a portion of Estonian Church clergy.
“The Synod believes that the connection established by law between the right to vote and the right to priestly service creates unjustified restrictions on religious freedom and effectively introduces a ban on a person’s choice of priestly service, even if, according to all other data, he would be suitable for it.”
The hierarchs express their deep concern that the legislative changes being adopted “could lead to a serious crisis in the religious life of Orthodox believers in Estonia.”
“Each parish is real people, our parishioners, who could be left without spiritual care and the opportunity to pray in their churches,” emphasized His Grace Bishop Daniel of Tartu, vicar of the Tallinn Diocese.
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Source: Orthodox Christianity
