Moscow, April 14, 2025
Photo: rbk.ru
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent an appeal to multiple religious and political leaders last week concerning the Estonian Parliament’s adoption of a law banning the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church.
Legislators adopted amendments to the Law on Churches and Congregations on Wednesday that ban the Estonian Church for its canonical connection to the Moscow Patriarchate.
The Patriarchate’s Holy Synod issued a statement on Thursday, condemning the religious persecution. It also called on the Russian primate to send appeals to the primates of the Local Orthodox Churches and other religious and political leaders.
In his appeals, reports the Synodal Department for External Church Relations, Pat. Kirill stated:
With deep concern, I inform you that on April 9, 2025, the Estonian Parliament adopted amendments to the Law on Churches and Congregations, which effectively aim to ban the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church—a self-governing Church within the Moscow Patriarchate.
This law, stripping it of legitimacy, violates the fundamental principle of freedom of conscience and religion, guaranteed by the constitution of Estonia and relevant international agreements.
The Patriarch appealed to all Orthodox primates, save those of the Churches of Constantinople, Alexandria, Cyprus, and Greece, who are in communion with the graceless Ukrainian schismatics, which caused ruptures in communion within the Orthodox Church. “I count on your brotherly support during this difficult time for Estonian Orthodoxy,” Pat. Kirill said to the faithful primates.
Meanwhile, Constantinople’s Churches in both Estonia and Finland have officially come out in favor of the persecution of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church.
Pat. Kirill also addressed the heads of various Oriental, Catholic, and Protestant churches, as well as the head of the World Council of Churches, calling on those “who can open their mouths for justice (Prov. 31:9), to stand in support of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church in this difficult time.”
He also wrote to the presidents of Serbia, Hungary, and the U.S., recognizing their efforts in defending Christian values and the rights of Christians.
Further, he addressed the heads of various UN and other human rights leaders.
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