The Estonian Orthodox Church (EOC) has asserted its intention to defend its rights as the government pressures it to sever ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. According to the EOC’s official website, the goal is to find a solution "in accordance with Estonian laws and Orthodox canons" amidst the current challenges with the state.

The legal firm Sirel & Partnerid will represent the interests of the EOC and the Pühtitsa Convent. Lawyer Steven-Hristo Evestus emphasized the importance of ensuring that the authorities do not restrict the freedom of religion and the rights, freedoms, and actions of the church's congregations and monasteries. "We are open to finding solutions for peaceful coexistence," the lawyer stated.

Attorney Artur Knyazev highlighted that neither the EOC nor the Pühtitsa Convent has violated any laws. "Law-abiding behavior should be respected, and it should not lead to punitive actions by the state," he added.

Last month, Estonia declared the Russian Orthodox Church an "institution justifying aggression." Following this, Estonian Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets warned that Orthodox monasteries in the country that refuse to break away from the Russian Orthodox Church could face forced closure by the state. On April 23, he visited the Pühtitsa Convent and met with Abbess Filareta (Kalacheva), proposing that the monastery reconsider its stavropegial status to avoid spiritual influence from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. The Pühtitsa Convent is stavropegial, meaning it is directly under the Patriarch's authority.

Later, Minister Läänemets demanded that the entire Estonian Orthodox Church denounce Patriarch Kirill as a heretic and sever ties with the Russian Church. He expressed disappointment that local representatives of the Russian Church had not yet condemned Patriarch Kirill for heresy. The minister recently met with EOC bishops to discuss "security issues that complicate the situation."