Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets (SDE) said he wasn't satisfied with a recent statement by the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (MPEÕK), and said that if MPEÕK leader Metropolitan Eugene doesn't condemn Patriarch Kirill's statements supporting Russia's war in Ukraine by October 12, he will propose Eugene be stripped of his permanent residence in Estonia.
The Synod of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (MPEÕK), said, in a statement on Thursday, that the church condemns Russia's war in Ukraine. However, the synod also expressed its bewilderment at what it describes as "constant demands for political statements" to be made by the church.
Revocation of the residence permit of the head of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (MPEÕK), Metropolitan Eugene cannot be ruled out, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs said, adding that any decision will depend on the metropolitan's stance on the Ukraine war.
Over the past financial year, the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (MPEÕK) received income totalling €303,557 but ended the year in the red, to the tune of €10,520.
The Estonian Council of Churches and the leaders of member churches, including Eugene, the head of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, issued a statement regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the reception of war refugees in Estonia; Estonian World publishes the statement in full, lightly edited for clarity.