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 declared the Moscow Patriarchate an institute supporting Russian military aggression on May 6, thus prompting the Ministry of the Interior’s call for the Estonian Church to separate from the Patriarchate.
In late July, it was reported that the Church had reached a relevant agreement with the state, although that news was soon 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, 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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