Representatives of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church visited the Patriarch of Jerusalem

On May 1, 2025, the blessed Patriarch of Jerusalem and all of Palestine Theophilus adopted the delegation of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church, led by its Primate, Metropolitan Tallinn and All Estonia Evgeny. The delegation included the Vicar of the Tallinn diocese of the EPHC, Bishop of Tartusky Daniil and the cleric of the Tallinn diocese, Priest Viktor Melnik, the press service of the EPHC reports.

During a long conversation, Metropolitan Eugene acquainted the blessed patriarch with the modern position of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church and its problems, which also relate to the Pyukhtitsky Assumption Stavropiral Monastery. He affected such issues as the legal status of the Church and the status of its Primate, which is currently deprived of the opportunity to stay in Estonia in connection with a refusal to extend the residence permit. In addition, the property position of the Church and the intervention of political forces in her life were discussed, as well as unreasonable accusations that its representatives could potentially pose a threat to the security of the Estonian state.

His bliss showed a deep interest in the life of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church and expressed concern about the prevailing position. He was familiar with the situation around the recently adopted by the Parliament of the Estonian Republic of amendments to the law on churches and parishes and previously expressed his opinion that was heard in his statement the day before. In the event of the proclamation of this law, these amendments to the President of Estonia will limit the rights of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church and may lead to its closure. Metropolitan Evgeny explained that the law has not yet entered into force and has not been proclaimed the President of the Estonian Republic, because, according to the president, the proposed amendments contradict three articles of its constitution. The Primate of the Jerusalem Church noted the President’s reasonable caution in resolving issues so painful for Estonian society. His bliss indicated that in all states of the European Union there is a clear division between the state and the Church, and the state should not intervene in church life, but in Estonia, in violation of international law, state power has intervened in the life of the Church. Jerusalem Patriarch supported the efforts of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church to defend his legal rights in the legal structures of Estonia and the European Union.

The blessed Patriarch noted the complexity of the situation of Orthodox Christians in Estonia and spoke with particular pain about the suffering of Christians in Gaza and Palestine, in Ukraine and Syria. He urged not to be afraid of temptations, because the church in its history experienced a lot of tests that the Lord warned about. Patriarch Theophilus called to strengthen the prayer and assured in his prayer support. He cited as an example the history of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, which survived many empires that came and left, but has been fulfilling its ministry for 2000 years.

Metropolitan Eugene emphasized the significance of the Jerusalem Church as a spiritual mother of all churches and the high authority of its Primate for the entire Orthodox world. In turn, his bliss indicated that the Holy Land is a place of attraction for every believer and noted the importance of pilgrimage to Jerusalem to strengthen the faith and spiritual forces of a Christian.

His Eminence thanked the Primate of the Jerusalem Church of the Beatitude Patriarch Feofil for his consistent position and firm support that the Jerusalem Patriarchate provides for our church, as well as for the opportunity to commit a divine liturgy in the life tomb of the Lord and worship the holy places. For his part, the blessed Patriarch said that Metropolitan Eugene and his flock are always welcome guests on the Holy Land.

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