The Russian Church commented on the Estonian anti-church bill

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The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has expressed concern about the draft law approved by the Estonian government, which provides for changes to the charter of the Estonian Orthodox Church (EOC) and its withdrawal from the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate. Patriarch Kirill's adviser, Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, said that the document requires verification, as it contradicts international norms protecting religious freedom.

According to the clergyman, the document runs counter to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Earlier, Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Leaenemetz announced the government's adoption of a draft law that presupposes the mandatory withdrawal of the EOC from subordination to the Moscow Patriarchate. If the law is approved by Parliament, religious institutions will have to change their charters within two months.

Archpriest Nikolai Balashov stressed that the proposed changes may contradict major international documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights.

In 2024, the Estonian Orthodox Church issued a statement in which it declared its desire to stay out of politics, despite pressure from the Estonian authorities. In January 2025, under pressure from the authorities, the church changed its official name to the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church.

According to RIA-Novosti, 13.9% of Estonian citizens belong to the EPC of the Moscow Patriarchate, 8% belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and 2.3% belong to the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The Russian Orthodox Church has repeatedly stated that it considers Estonia to be part of its canonical territory and has opposed the interference of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

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