On March 24, 2025, the Tartu District Court granted the request of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EPC MP) to change its name to the "Estonian Christian Orthodox Church" (EХPC), as reported by ERR.

The court's decision became final and entered into legal force, despite the initial refusal by the registration authority, which considered the new name misleading.

EPC MP submitted its request for the name change in September 2024, initially proposing the name "Estonian Orthodox Church." However, the registration department passed the request to a judge, who rejected it, believing it implied that the name would encompass all Orthodox believers in Estonia.

Following this, the Church chose a new version — "Estonian Christian Orthodox Church" — but this name was also considered incorrect by the registration authority. The court, however, found EPC MP's arguments convincing and ruled that the name complies with the law and is not misleading.

Bishop Daniil explained that the name change highlights the Church's self-governing status.

"Over the past year, we have had to endure hostile attitudes due to our canonical ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. The new name and statute reflect our independence in ecclesiastical, administrative, economic, educational, and civil matters," he stated.

Earlier, Estonian authorities suggested that EPC MP transfer its jurisdiction to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, but the Church leadership refused, citing the guaranteed constitutional freedom of religion.

In May 2024, the Estonian parliament recognized the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as an "institution supporting Russia's military operation in Ukraine." Following this, the Ministry of the Interior proposed amendments to the law on religious organizations, which, according to representatives of EPC MP, effectively amounted to the liquidation of their Church. The Russian Orthodox Church has repeatedly stated that EPC is under constant pressure from the authorities.

Last week, Bishop Daniil of Tartu made a statement about the discrimination faced by the believers of his Church in Estonia during the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council. According to Bishop Daniil, the Estonian Orthodox Church intends to begin active human rights work at the international level to defend its right to freedom of religion.