The Estonian Interior Minister, Lauri Läänemets, has proposed a new law that would prohibit the Estonian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate (MPEÕK) from operating in Estonia.
In a speech to Parliament, Läänemets emphasized that “churches or parishes affiliated with an organization supporting military aggression will not be allowed to operate in Estonia.”
Läänemets expressed concern that the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate had made little progress in severing its ties to the Kremlin. As a result, he proposed amendments to the law on churches and parishes to sever connections between religious organizations in Estonia and any foreign entity that poses a threat to public or constitutional order, supports military aggression, incites war, terrorism, or any form of violence.
“The goal of the proposed amendments,” Läänemets stated, “is to prevent any religious organization from operating in Estonia if it goes against the generally recognized principles of international law in the Republic of Estonia.”
The Minister also stressed that individuals with proven or credible suspicions of acting against the Estonian state should not serve as board members, clergy, or leaders in any religious organization. He underscored that religious organizations must not be remotely managed by individuals who pose a threat to public order or security, especially those who are not permitted to enter or reside in the country.
Läänemets clarified that while religious freedom is essential, it must align with Estonia’s constitutional order, stating, “Religious leaders must operate within the legal framework of Estonia. Those unwilling or unable to comply have no place in Estonia’s religious life.”
He acknowledged that this principle is currently focused on the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and its leadership but noted that incorporating it into law would prevent future situations where local religious organizations could be manipulated by foreign clerics with harmful intentions.
The Minister emphasized the Estonian government’s desire to end the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate in Estonia and to prevent the establishment of religious organizations that could pose a security threat due to the control exercised by foreign entities.
“We are not deciding the canonical or theological direction of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate,” Läänemets explained. “That is a decision for the church itself. What we are doing is setting clear legal standards that any religious organization operating in Estonia must meet. These rules apply equally to all, and within this framework, the church is free to make its future decisions.”
Below are some excerpts of the powerful speech of the Minister of the Interior of Estonia to the Parliament of his country:
“Over the years, the Moscow Patriarchate has treated Russia’s neighboring nations as subjects of its empire, viewing them as lesser and unworthy. We see how the Patriarchate has used faith and the Church as tools for political brainwashing, serving the secular regime of Russia. It offers justifications for war crimes and neo-imperialist thinking, which regard free, independent, and democratic neighboring countries as part of Russia’s sphere of influence. This cannot be tolerated.
The Estonian government takes seriously any statement made by Patriarch Kirill regarding Estonia’s security, as he is working hand in hand with the Kremlin. Given the ongoing war in Ukraine, we cannot view it otherwise. Patriarch Kirill personally attempted to influence Moldova’s recent referendum on EU accession, using the network of the Moldovan Orthodox Church to sway public opinion, intimidate citizens, and demonize Europe. We must prevent any possibility of the Moscow Patriarchate exerting similar pressure on the Church of Estonia or its clergy.
We are no longer under any illusions about Russia’s goal of restoring its imperial power over neighboring nations, thereby undermining their political systems. It is an ongoing struggle for survival that many countries face. While some nations, like Estonia, were able to make a decisive step toward the West in time, the hard fight continues for many others, such as Moldova, Georgia, and especially Ukraine. Europe and the freedom of its people remain at stake. However, military aggression is only one aspect of Russia’s broader efforts.
The current Moscow Patriarchate has clearly become another weapon in Russia’s arsenal of influence operations. It not only seeks to intimidate its own citizens but also aims to corrupt the hearts and minds of people in other countries by misusing faith.
Given this context—and considering Estonia’s geographical location, historical experiences, and current realities—the Estonian state cannot accept a situation where, due to the affiliation of the Estonian Orthodox Church with the Moscow Patriarchate, dozens of churches and tens of thousands of Orthodox believers are forced to recognize a former KGB agent as their highest spiritual authority. This man spreads hatred and contempt for Russia’s neighboring nations and their sovereignty.”
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
