Court ruling mandates Estonian Orthodox Church to sever ties with Moscow Patriarchate

Interior Minister Igor Taro says a Supreme Court ruling on Monday confirms that the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (EAOC) must end its subordination to the Moscow Patriarchate and Patriarch Kirill. The court ruled that amendments to the churches and congregations law are consistent with the Estonian Constitution. The minister stressed that religious freedom in Estonia remains fully protected.

Interior Minister Igor Taro regards Monday's Supreme Court decision as a significant signal to the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (EAOC). According to the court's ruling, amendments to the churches and congregations law do not violate the Constitution, which Taro interprets to mean that the EAOC must sever its relationship of subordination to the Moscow Patriarchate and Patriarch Kirill.

The minister emphasised that the legislative amendments do not restrict religious freedom in Estonia, and people retain full rights to practise their faith. The issue is not about religious conviction but about institutional dependence on a foreign state against which Estonia has imposed extensive sanctions in connection with Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.

Breaking the connection between the EAOC and the Moscow Patriarchate has been a significant feature of Estonia's security policy debate for several months. The government has pushed for limiting Russia's sphere of influence in Estonian institutions, including religious structures. The Supreme Court's decision now provides legal grounding for this political requirement.

The Supreme Court ruling is final and provides constitutional confirmation for the legislative framework. This means the EAOC no longer has legal grounds to contest the requirement to restructure its Moscow-affiliated operations.