The Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EPC MP) will not be able to get out of the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), since it has no opportunity to function independently. This was stated by the vicar of the Tallinn diocese of the EPC MP, Bishop Daniel of Tartu.
"Many parishes are of the opinion that we cannot afford an autonomous status now. We have neither theological schools nor monasteries, which are an indicator of the independence of churches," he said in a comment for the portal gosteleradio ERR, commenting on the possible rupture of canonical ties with the ROC.
The clergyman also commented on the establishment of the terms of the gap by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Estonia. "Perhaps the general Church council will meet closer to July to <...> make further decisions," he noted. On April 18, Daniel stated that the Estonian authorities do not have the authority to interfere in the canonical organization of the church.
May 6 Riigikogu (Parliament) Estonia has declared the Moscow Patriarchate an institution supporting Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. On May 16, Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Leaenemets announced that he expects the rupture of relations between the ROC and the EPC MP and the recognition of the activities of the ROC as heresy by the EPC MP. At the same time, in April, Lyaenemets already visited the Pyukhtitsky convent in order to convince its leadership to withdraw from the subordination of the ROC.
Vladimir Legoida, head of the Synodal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate for Church-Society and Media Relations, in response to the decision of the Riigikogu, said that the Estonian Interior Ministry intends to destroy the EPC MP and drive believers into the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
According to TASS materials
The Bishop of Tartu believes that the Estonian Orthodox Church will not be able to survive without the Russian Orthodox Church
24.05.2024, 09:00
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