Tallinn, February 2, 2024
Photo: orthodox.ee
The three-member Holy Synod of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Council of the Estonian Church (including clerical and lay representatives) both held emergency sessions this week to discuss the state’s decision not to extend the residence permit of their primate His Eminence MEtropoligan Evgeny of Tallinn and All Estonia.
The Estonian Police and Border Guard Development denied the Metropolitan’s request to renew his temporary residence permit last month, deeming him a threat to national security.
Both the Council and the Synod adopted resolutions petitioning for his permit to be renewed.
In their resolution, the clerical and lay representatives of the Estonian Church recall that Met. Evgeny previously served as the rector of the Moscow Theological Academy for more than 20 years, during which time he had many occasions to visit Estonia. Therefore, they were already acquainted with him when they elected him as their metropolitan in May 2018.
Over the years of serving as the primate of the EOC-MP, Metropolitan Evgeny has shown himself to be a zealous preacher of the Gospel teaching, therefore, among our multinational flock, including Estonian speakers, he found full support and understanding.
In a society where there much disagreement and confrontation, it is the Church that is the source of the Gospel peace.
From the very first days of the military conflict in Ukraine, the Church, with the blessing of Metropolitan Evgeny, began to provide all possible material assistance to refugees, console the suffering, and offer prayers for the long-awaited peace to come to Ukraine.
At every Liturgy in the churches of the EOC-MP, they pray for our God-protected country of Estonia, its authorities and army, and for a quiet and silent life.
Today, when unfounded claims are made against Metropolitan Evgeny that he poses a threat to the security of Estonia, we testify that the primate of the EOC-MP has always been responsible with his words, which has prevented the division of his large flock, which includes people with very different views. The Gospel calls us to unity in Christ, love, and patience. And this, as well as the call for peace and stability in Estonian society, was the main thing in Metropolitan Evgeny’s sermons.
The Church is organically connected with its primate, like spiritual children with their spiritual father, and the possible decision to refuse to renew Metropolitan Evgeny’s residence permit could become a difficult test for our entire Church.
Therefore, the fullness of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, represented by the Council, asks to extend the residence permit of Metropolitan Evgeny.
The Synod of the Estonian Orthodox Church also issued a resolution, concluding after analyzing the reasons given for refusing to extend the Metropolitan’s residence permit and the public statements of various government representatives that the decision was made without taking important circumstances in the life of the Church into account.
Therefore, the Synod urges the relevant state departments “to show objectivity and reasonableness in making a final decision.” Recall that Met. Evgeny has already appealed the decision.
The Synod emphasizes that Article 9 of the Estonian constitution states that “the rights, freedoms and duties of everyone ... apply equally to both Estonian citizens and foreign citizens and stateless persons residing in Estonia.”
Further, “the persistence with which Met. Evgeny was required to more clearly define his anti-war position, ignoring what he said about the criminality of bombing civilian objects, about the rejection of war as such, and the need to resolve any conflicts peacefully, as well as misinterpretations of his statements,” the constitution articles guaranteeing the right “to freely disseminate ideas, opinions, beliefs and other information,” and the right to not be ‘forced to change their opinions and beliefs.”
Met. Evgeny speaks carefully, the Synod explains, because he presides over a flock of various nationalities and view, and it is his responsibility to prevent schisms and preserve peace.
Refusing to extend his permit, the authorities would thus separate the Church from its primate, thereby violating the constitution by interfering in ecclesiastical life. Attempts to console the Church by saying the state decision affects only Met. Evgeny himself shows the state’s ignorance of Orthodox ecclesiology, the Synod states.
While the Church can be administered remotely thanks to modern technology, the same can’t be said for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, which is the heart of the Orthodox faith, the bishops write.
Elections and appointments in the Church should be free from state interferene, the Synod states, recalling that Met. Evgeny was overwhelmingly elected in 2018. And, “according to canon law, a hierarch is married to his Church for life.”
Therefore, the Synod petitions the Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs to extend Met. Evgeny’s residence permit.
Recall that Estonian authorities have been watching the Estonian Church closely and have admitted in the past that they found nothing suspicious. Met. Evgeny and Bp. Lazar of Narva have both signed and issued statements against the war, and the Metropolitan publicly stated his disagreement with Pat. Kirill’s homily about soldiers who die in war receiving forgiveness of sins. Nevertheless, the state continued to be suspicious of the Estonian Church, and Met. Evgeny now must leave the country within a matter of days unless the state reconsiders.
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