Metropolitan Eugeni, head of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, announced that he has condemned the war and does not share Patriarch Kirill's position that the fallen soldiers will be forgiven for their sins.
At the end of September, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, said that Russian soldiers are fulfilling their calling and duty to the country and society when fighting against Ukraine, and that the fallen Russian soldiers will be forgiven for all their sins.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, Patriarch Kirill's speech is an influence activity that is not allowed in Estonia, and the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice wanted Metropolitan Eugen to take a public position on this and to condemn Russia's military activities by October 12. Otherwise, Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets Estonian politician. promised to make a proposal to take Eugen's permanent residence permit.
Yesterday, Metropolitan Eugeni announced in response to the letter from the ministries that the church is guided by its statutes and Estonian laws, and according to Orthodox teachings, the church is against war.
According to Metropolitan Eugeni, the church has prayed for the end of the war like all other Christian churches in Estonia. He added that since March, Orthodox refugees from Ukraine have joined almost all congregations. "And this can only confirm that there is no war propaganda or incitement of hatred in our churches. Similar cases would be made public immediately, because the activities of all our churches are public and transparent."
Metropolitan Eugeni plans to go to the meeting at the Ministry of the Interior next Tuesday.