Jerusalem, May 6, 2025
L to R: Bp. Daniil of Tartu, Pat. Theophilos of Jerusalem, Met. Evgeny of Tallinn. Photo: ru.orthodox.ee The Patriarchate of Jerusalem stands with the persecuted Estonian Orthodox Church, both in official statements and in fraternal relations in the Divine Liturgy.
In three readings, the Estonian Parliament passed a law banning the Estonian Church because of its membership in the Moscow Patriarchate, which, according to the legislative body, is a supporter of military aggression. President Alar Karis declined to sign the bill into law, saying it “disproportionately restrict[s] freedom of association and religion.”
At the same time, the bill was sent back to Parliament to be amended, and it remains to be seen if the president will promulgate a future version of the bill.
Against this background, the Jerusalem Patriarchate issued a statement against the Estonian bill:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1
In the spirit and yearning for unity within our Church, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem raises concerns of the passing of a new law, The Churches and Congregations Act, by the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) on 9 April forcing churches to sever ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. This decision will affect countless worshippers in churches and convents across Estonia.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem stands strongly for the right to worship safely and freely. In Jerusalem, we are acutely aware of restrictions on worship in the name of security, as we experience year after year at the Divine Liturgy of Holy Fire. There is no reason to weaponise religious belief and practice among the peaceful. We urge the Estonian government to reconsider this law for the sake of all people of faith in Estonia. Within our Church, this is but yet another example of the urgent need for unity.
The world has grown weary of conflict, and at this time it is paramount that the Orthodox Church invests in dialogue and healing. We are one body, though we are many, and we must work together to be the peacemakers humanity cries out for. We cannot do this if we are plagued by division and strife. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem recognises the challenges, pain, and divisions that exist in Europe and around the world during this challenging time, and we renew our call for fraternal discussions rooted in dialogue and reconciliation.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, rooted in centuries of reconciliation and peace efforts, offers a hand of goodwill and mediation to our Patriarchal brothers. Let us gather to sow the seeds of peace and healing so that we may bring about an end to suffering and promote healing within the Orthodox family.
The next day after the statement was published, an Estonian Orthodox delegation visited His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. The group consisted of His Eminence Metropolitan Evgeny of Tallinn, who was expelled from Estonia last year on baseless accusations that he poses a threat to national security, his vicar His Grace Bishop Daniil of Tartu, and Fr. Viktor Melnik of the Tallinn Diocese.
L to R: Met. Evgeny of Tallinn, Met. Hesychios of Kapitolias, Bp. Daniil of Tartu. Liturgy at the Holy Sepulchre. Photo: rusdm.ru
The clerics had a lengthy discussion with Pat. Theophilos about the current situation in Estonia, which he showed great interest in. His Beatitude pointed out that in all EU states there’s a clear separation between state and Church, and the state shouldn’t interfere in Church life, but in Estonia, in violation of international law, the state authorities have done precisely that. The Patriarch supported the efforts of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church to defend its legitimate rights in the legal structures of Estonia and the EU.
Pat. Theophilos also spoke with particular pain about the suffering of Christians in Gaza and Palestine, Ukraine, and in Syria. He urged not to fear temptations, because throughout its history, the Church has endured many trials, which the Lord had warned about. He called for strengthened prayer and assured his prayerful support.
Met. Evgeny emphasized the significance of the Jerusalem Church as the spiritual Mother of all Churches and the high authority of its primate for the entire Orthodox world and thanked him for his firm support.
The next day, Met. Evgeny and Bp. Daniil concelebrated the night Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with the Jerusalem Patriarchate hierarch His Eminence Metropоlitan Hesychios of Kapitolias, the clergy of the Holy Sepulchre Brotherhood, Fr. Viktor Melnik, and other ordained pilgrims.
The service was celebrated in Greek, Church Slavonic, and Arabic.
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