Tallinn, September 1, 2025
rbc.ru
An Estonian court has ruled in favor of Tallinn city authorities in their bid to evict the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church from its administrative offices in the capital’s Old Town, ending a year-long legal battle that has become entangled in broader tensions between Estonia and Russia.
The Harju County Court upheld the decision by Tallinn’s Kesklinn District Administration to terminate the Church’s lease agreement for the building on Pikk Street, where the Church’s administrative offices have operated since the 19th century, reports rbc.ru.
The district administration had sent the termination letter in April 2024, ordering the church to vacate by July 21, though the Church challenged the decision in court. The Church had held an indefinite lease agreement since 2005 at preferential rates, paying half the market value for the premises. Following the Church’s refusal to vacate and its legal challenge, authorities increased the monthly rent from €820 ($865) to €1,707 ($1,800).
The dispute intensified after His Holiness Patriarch Kirill described Russia’s military operation in Ukraine as a “holy war” at the World Russian People’s Council. Estonia’s Internal Security Service (KaPo) viewed this as spreading Russian regime ideology through Church structures. Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets stated he expected the Estonian Orthodox Church to sever ties with the Moscow Patriarchate.
The Church has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights. Estonian security services have accused the Church of negotiating with Rossotrudnichestvo about financing a Russian-language school in Tallinn and attempting to establish channels for transferring funds from Russia.
In March this year, the Estonian Orthodox Church updated its statutes to reflect the reality of its administrative autonomy and change its name to the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church. The Tartu County Court ruled that the new name complies with legislation and does not mislead regarding the church’s purpose, scope, or legal form.
Estonian primate His Eminence Metropolitan Evgeny was denied renewal of his residence permit on trumped-up state security grounds last year. He now manages the Church from Russia, which Estonian security services cite as evidence of the religious organization’s dependence on Moscow.
The court ruling coincides with Estonia adopting new legislation restricting the activities of structures linked to the Moscow Patriarchate. The law has passed through the Riigikogu twice, though President Alar Karis has twice refused to promulgate it. Parliament remains determined, however, to see the legislation become law.
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