Orthodox Reflections

OR Staff Note: The situation in Estonia is an additional case of Christian persecution in which the Patriarchate of Constantinople is involved. The suffering of canonical Orthodox Christians in both Estonia and Ukraine is made possible through the actions of Patriarch Bartholomew.

Marcin Rutkowski is a freelance journalist and political commentator from Sopot, Poland. A committed Roman Catholic, he brings a values-centered perspective to pressing sociopolitical issues in Europe, with a focus on justice, dignity, and the challenges facing religious minorities. His work has been informed by both personal spiritual renewal and a deep concern for the integrity of Europe’s foundational principles. More of his work can be found at his personal blogs here and here. 

In contemporary Europe and the world, challenges threatening democracy, human rights, and social justice are intensifying. Among them are the rise of nationalism, restrictions on minority rights, and religious freedoms. These trends undermine the principles of inclusivity and equality essential for a stable society. In this context, leading American economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs, speaking at the European Parliament in February of this year, emphasized the importance of multilateralism, social democracy, and respect for private interests in building a just society.

Sachs stresses that only an independent and united Europe—one that protects freedom of religion, minority rights, and a sense of shared international responsibility—can effectively respond to global challenges. He highlights diplomacy, cooperation, and the rule of law as priorities for creating a society where no one fears persecution or discrimination.

The situation surrounding the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (ECOC, canonically under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church) serves as a striking example of acute global and European problems. Ongoing legislative attempts to undermine the rights of the ECOC reflect broader trends of intolerance and discrimination against minority communities, as well as contradictions between declared European values and actual actions of authorities.

Since 1991, the ECOC has faced state pressure favoring the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (EAOC) under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. As a result, the ECOC is forced to rent public religious buildings, while the EAOC receives them free of charge.

Amid the conflict with Russia in 2022, pressure on the ECOC intensified, including proposals to remove it from Estonia’s official registry of churches, seize church property in favor of the EAOC, and the implemented refusal in 2024 to extend the residence permit of Metropolitan Eugene (Reshetnikov) of Tallinn. Authorities have terminated lease agreements and long refused to register the church’s new name, while simultaneously threatening to liquidate the organization for failing to comply with newly introduced naming requirements. Furthermore, the financial situation of the ECOC has been deteriorated by the selective termination of state funding that was previously allocated through the Council of Churches in Estonia, an institution established with the direct participation of the ECOC. In addition, officials’ statements and biased media coverage have damaged the church’s reputation, complicating its ability to exercise its rights as a legally registered organization and carry out its regular activities. All this creates significant obstacles to the church’s functioning.

In 2024, the Ministry of the Interior initiated and promoted amendments to the “Churches and Congregations Act,” which would compel the ECOC to sever canonical and spiritual ties with the Moscow Patriarchate under threat of liquidation. The bill was introduced in January 2025 to the Riigikogu, the Estonian Parliament, and has already faced two vetoes from President Alar Karis, occurring in April and June of this year, due to concerns about its constitutionality.

According to the proposed legislation, any church, parish, parish union, or monastery of any denomination operating in Estonia must not have any links (through direct governance, charters, agreements, or other documents) with foreign religious figures or religious organizations if those entities are deemed to threaten Estonia’s national security, constitutional or public order; support military aggression; call for war, terrorist crimes; or otherwise advocate the use of armed force or violence. Thus, the proposed law imposes collective responsibility on innocent and law-abiding religious communities for events that occur in foreign states—circumstances beyond their control.

Moreover, the bill stipulates that a board member cannot be someone who has been denied a visa or residence permit, or whose residence permit extension has been refused or whose visa has been canceled, due to potential threats to national security. This targeted amendment directly affects the head of the ECOC, Metropolitan Eugene of Tallinn and All Estonia, who was denied renewal of his residence permit in early 2024 under the pretext of a “potential threat to national security.”

Nevertheless, since 2022, leaders of the ECOC, including Metropolitan Eugene (while still in the country) and Bishop Daniel of Tartu, who assumed leadership after His Eminence’s forced departure, have repeatedly emphasized—through the church’s press office, interviews and comments in national media, and direct contacts with high-ranking Estonian officials—that the ECOC operates fully in accordance with Estonian laws, does not share the position of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in supporting Russian invasion of Ukraine, and does not engage in the politics of foreign states. Moreover, in August 2024, references to the Moscow Patriarchate were removed from the ECOC’s charter and official name, formalizing the church’s autonomy in administrative, economic, and educational matters. The ECOC Council also approved negotiations with the Estonian state, expressing readiness to seek compromise solutions based on mutual respect, secular law, and canonical principles.

The Pühtitsa Monastery and ECOC parishioners advocate preserving the canonical connection with the ROC and demand an end to the pressure. In December 2024, over 4,000 people signed an appeal to the Estonian Parliament urging a halt to legislative initiatives that could lead to the cessation of the ECOC’s activities. The abbess and nuns of the Pühtitsa Convent, which is directly subordinate to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, submitted three open letters to the Estonian Parliament between February and April 2025. They emphasized the independence and Christian nature of the Convent’s stance over Russia’s actions in Ukraine and on the international stage. The letters also noted that, according to the Convent’s charter registered by Estonian state authorities, neither the monastery nor its governing bodies have the right to independently change its canonical status or withdraw from the ROC’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, such actions would constitute a violation of Church Canons based on the Gospel and reflecting patristic teachings about the Church and its structure, as well as a breach of monastic vows.

Pühtitsa Convent in Eastern Estonia. Founded in 1891, it is the largest Orthodox community in the Baltic states

Despite this, the Estonian Parliament and Government continue to consider the bill restricting the ECOC’s activities. The Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior claim the need to guarantee freedom of religion, yet simultaneously engage in targeted interference in Church’s internal affairs and selectively undermine the functioning of a religious organization that has been arbitrarily labeled as undesirable. Authorities argue that the new regulations are not religious repression, yet insist that the ECOC and the Pühtitsa Monastery must join the local structure of the Ecumenical Patriarchate—the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church—established in 1923, eight centuries after the first Orthodox diocese on Estonian territory was founded under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church.

International human rights organizations and members of the European Parliament have expressed concern over violations of religious freedom in Estonia and voiced support for the ECOC. Complaints have been filed with experts of the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, and the European Court of Human Rights, underscoring the seriousness of the situation and the church’s efforts to defend its rights on the international stage. These complaints include legal analysis, factual evidence, and documentary attachments demonstrating Estonia’s abuse of national security legislation, incitement against a religious minority, denial of due process, and targeted legislative discrimination against the ECOC. Additionally, state authorities are called upon to immediately and unconditionally restore the residence permit of Metropolitan Eugene, the ruling hierarch of the ECOC, enabling him to return to Estonia and resume his legitimate religious leadership.

The situation with the ECOC reflects a broader trend of restricting religious freedom and discriminating against religious minorities in Estonia. Despite official claims of adherence to European values, in practice, measures are being implemented that threaten the autonomy of religious organizations and their right to operate freely. The response from civil society and international bodies highlights the gravity of the issue and the urgent need to balance national security with the protection of fundamental human rights.

Initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of the ECOC — such as filing complaints with international bodies and defending religious freedom—are closely linked to values and approaches of dialogue and cooperation, which are crucial for resolving contemporary political problems at their roots. By promoting principles of dignity, equality, and respect, these efforts aim not only to protect religious freedom but also to build a more independent, resilient, and inclusive European community—ultimately reinforcing the ideals that Professor Sachs highlights in his call for a better world.