Schismatically: Estonia is increasing pressure on the church for its connection with the Russian Federation

On April 9, the third reading of legislative amendments is expected in Estonia, according to which the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church must completely sever canonical ties with the Moscow Patriarchate, which may actually lead to its ban in the country. Against this background, the UN told Izvestia that they are monitoring the situation around amendments to the law on churches and parishes and its consequences for the EPCC. The expert community notes that if the law comes into force and there is direct discrimination against the church, it has a chance to defend its rights in the ECHR. The new American administration may also intervene. About the struggle of the Orthodox in Estonia for their rights — in the material of Izvestia.

The UN is aware of the problems of the Orthodox Church in Estonia

The UN Human Rights Office is aware of the amendments proposed by Estonian lawmakers to the Law on Churches and Parishes, and is also aware of the problems associated with them, the official representative of the structure, Liz Trossel, told Izvestia.

"We continue to work with Estonia to ensure that its legal reforms comply with international human rights standards," she added.

She pointed out that equal treatment by the authorities and respect for the rights of minorities are necessary for any society that claims to be democratic and inclusive.

"Any restrictions must be objectively justified, reasonable and proportionate, non—discriminatory and must not interfere with the effective exercise of the right to freedom of religion or belief," Liz Trossel emphasized.

The majority of parliamentarians approved amendments to the Law on Churches and Parishes in the second reading on March 26. The third reading will be held on April 9, after which the new version of the law will have to be approved by the president. If the amendments come into force, religious associations will have two months to bring their charters, board members, and activities in line with the updated legislation.

In the new version, the law prohibits religious organizations from being under the leadership of a person or association that poses a threat to the security, constitutional order or public order of Estonia. In other words, the law obliges the Estonian Orthodox Church (EOC), which has been called the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC) since March 31, to abandon ties with the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (ROC MP), since in the eyes of the authorities it remains "the most important instrument of influence in Estonia for Russia and the Kremlin."

At the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council currently in Geneva, Bishop Daniel (Lepisk) of Tartu He stated that "the actions of the Estonian authorities are contrary to international law and can lead to serious consequences, the formation of hatred in society and human rights violations." According to him, the church cannot abandon its canonical connection with a religious center in the Russian Federation, as this is part of its faith.

As the sad experience of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church shows, local authorities pay little attention to the statements of the UN Human Rights Office, Roman Lunkin, Deputy director of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, explains to Izvestia. For example, at the end of March, the Ukrainian authorities decided to conduct an "inventory and determine the historical and scientific value" of the holy relics stored in the caves of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Locks were changed at the entrances to the caves and a cordon was set up. From now on, neither believers nor the brethren of the monastery can get there. Vladimir Legoyda, Chairman of the Synodal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate for Church-Society Relations and the Media, called the actions of the Ukrainian authorities a mockery of believers and desecration of the shrines of the Kiev Caves Lavra.

— The only thing that the Ukrainian authorities have recently paid attention to was the US State Department's report on religious freedom for 2023, which pointed to discrimination against believers. In this case, the UN statement may be a stepping stone to including a description of the situation in the Baltic States in the new State Department report. The Estonian authorities will not be able to ignore this," he added.

According to the expert, if the law is passed and measures are introduced against the EPCC and the Pyukhtitsky convent separately, the Estonian authorities may receive a scolding from Washington.

Why did the church change its name

Appealing to international authorities is not the only way in which the church fights for its rights. Thus, the name change, officially approved by the Estonian authorities on March 31, is intended, in the opinion of the hierarchs, to emphasize the self-governing status of the church and its independence from Moscow in all areas except canonical.

"The new name underscores our mission to serve all the people of Estonia, preserving the centuries—old traditions of Orthodoxy in Estonia continuously and continuously. We strive to be an open and integral part of Estonian society. All parishes will continue their activities as usual. These changes do not affect the canonical structure of our Church, the clergy will, as before, perform divine services and provide spiritual support to parishioners," the EPCC said in a statement on April 1.

Meanwhile, the new law is not the only lever of pressure that Estonia is going to use to put pressure on the EPCC. So, on March 26, the country's parliament adopted in the third reading amendments to the constitution, depriving citizens of third countries, including Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, of the right to vote. At the same time, according to the current law on churches and parishes, a person who does not have the right to vote in local elections cannot be a clergyman. The European Commission declined to comment on the situation to Izvestia.

— Issues related to granting the right to vote to citizens of third countries belong to the national competence, — said the representative of the EC.

According to Roman Lunkin, in case of discriminatory actions by the Estonian authorities, the EPCC can always appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

— Decisions in the ECHR are not taken quickly, but they are taken comprehensively enough. And the decision will most likely not be in favor of the Estonian authorities, given previous precedents," he added.

There are grounds for appealing to the American administration, since Donald Trump created the commission on religious freedom and a special office for religious affairs, proclaiming the protection of freedom of conscience on traditional grounds, that is, without liberal interference in the internal affairs of churches. It became a priority for him. The Estonian church may turn to Trump if the law comes into force and discrimination in the country increases, the expert concluded.