Tartu Bishop Daniel: Moscow Patriarchate does not direct our church's day-to-day operations

In an interview on Kuku radio, Bishop Daniel of the Estonian Orthodox Church Tartu Diocese clarified that the church operates independently in Estonia and the Moscow Patriarchate's role is minimal. The bishop also commented on new legislation governing churches and religious congregations, which imposes significant requirements on the church.

Bishop Daniel of the Estonian Orthodox Church (EKÕK) Tartu Diocese confirmed in a Kuku radio programme "Sihik" that the church directs its day-to-day operations in Estonia entirely independently. According to him, the Moscow Patriarchate's role is limited to church council protocols reaching the Patriarch's desk.

"Can that be called governance? In my view, it cannot," Daniel said in the programme. According to the bishop, it is important to distinguish between formal ecclesiastical affiliation and actual day-to-day management, which Moscow does not exercise over Estonian congregations.

The programme also addressed the new law on churches and religious congregations, which in the bishop's assessment imposes considerable requirements on the church. Daniel noted that the church must adapt to the new legislation and the associated obligations require attention and resources.

In recent years, the EKÕK has been subject to public scrutiny regarding questions about the church's ties to the Moscow Patriarchate and whether this constitutes a security risk. The church has repeatedly emphasized its independence in day-to-day decisions.