The Ties That Bind: Estonia Approves Law Banning Orthodox Church Ties with Russia

Estonia’s parliament passed a law this week requiring the country’s Christian Orthodox Church to sever ties with its pro-Kremlin leadership in Russia in an attempt to curb Russian influence and safeguard national security amid ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported.

The measure – an amendment to the Churches and Congregations Act – will give Orthodox churches and monasteries two months to comply with the new requirements or face possible closure.

The bill bars foreign-controlled religious groups from operating in Estonia if their parent organizations support military aggression, incite violence, or pose a threat to Estonia’s constitutional order.

It also bans individuals who are not permitted to reside in Estonia from serving as ministers or board members of religious organizations.

The legislation marks a major step by the Estonian government against the church due to its links to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, who has supported Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a “holy war.”

Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro noted that the move follows years of failed efforts to reach a compromise with church leaders, including the Moscow-subordinate Pühtitsa Convent, according to Estonia’s public broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling.

Even so, the church says the law infringes on religious freedom.

A member of NATO and the European Union, Estonia has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since the 2022 invasion by Russia. Ukraine approved similar legislation last year banning institutions linked to the Russian Orthodox church.

Meanwhile, Estonian lawmakers also passed a separate law Wednesday that would strip Russian citizens living in Estonia of the right to vote in local elections.

The recent laws could increase tensions with neighboring Russia: Roughly a quarter of Estonia’s 1.3 million people are ethnic Russians, many of whom are Orthodox Christians.