His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent a letter to the Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar
23.08.2001 · English, Архив 2001
HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY II OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA SENT A LETTER TO THE ESTONIAN PRIME MINISTER MART LAAR
As was repeatedly reported earlier, the Estonian Orthodox Church under the canonical jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate tried to obtain registration with the state for eight years without success.
Last month, the Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar sent a letter to His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, expressing concern for the status of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EOC MP). The head of the Estonian Government declared that believers in Estonia enjoyed full freedom in worship and expressed concern for the fact that the church structure of the Moscow Patriarchate in Estonia had not yet obtained registration with the state. Emphasizing his determination to act solely in accordance with the Estonian legislation, Mr. Laar rejected as unjustified the assertions that it was impossible for the EOC MP to draft a Statute equally acceptable for itself and the Estonian State. The prime minister expressed the confidence that it was possible to find a quick solution of the problem of registration for the diocese and parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Estonia.
In his reply, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia noted that he shared the concern expressed by the head of the Estonian Government and appreciated the statement of his desire to settle arising problems on the basis of strict observance of the legislation. He also expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Estonian President refused to approve the new law on churches and parishes some provisions of which would considerably restrict the rights of the Estonian Orthodox Church and come into direct conflict with commonly accepted international legal norms.
At the same time, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church did not agree with the argumentation put forward as a justification for another refusal to register the Statute of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. It was noted in particular that the name “Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate” was clearly and plainly different from the name “Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church” registered by the Estonian State in 1993. In the Estonian state register of churches there are examples of much more similar names, which however was not an obstacle for the registration of their bearers.
The letter also expressed regret for the fact that the Estonian Government was reluctant to recognize the historical and legal continuity of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate while her history dating back to the 11th century is an irrefutable evidence in favour of such recognition.
His Holiness Patriarch Alexy also expressed disagreement with the proposal to register the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate as a diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. He reminded the prime minister that this Church enjoys the rights of self-government granted her by Patriarch Tikhon in 1920 and confirmed in 1993 and noted that among her faithful are people of various nationalities; therefore, there are no reasons for changing the traditional principle of naming a Church after the local church territory.
Patriarch Alexy notified the head of the Estonian Government of the reaction of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to another refusal to register the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.
In conclusion he expressed the hope that the assurances of good will made by the Estonian Government with regard to the problems faced by the faithful of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate would be fulfilled for the benefit of the peoples of Estonia and Russia who are equally dear to his heart.
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