Estonian Orthodox Church Council Stands Firm in Support of Metropolitan Eugene Amid Residence Permit Dispute

DECR – OCP News Service – 04/02/2024

Moscow- Russia: On January 30, 2024, an emergency meeting of the Council of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate was held in the church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in Tallinn.

Before the meeting, a conciliar service was held, which was performed by the Primate of the Estonian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Eugene of Tallinn and All Estonia, co-served by Bishop Lazar of Narva and Prichudsky, vicar of the Tallinn diocese Bishop Sergius of Maardu and clergy of the Tallinn and Narva dioceses.

According to the Charter, the Council is the highest governing body of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. The members of the Council are all clergy with the exception of supernumerary and prohibited priests, members of the Synod from the laity, as well as one representative from the laity elected from each parish.

The council was convened due to the fact that the Estonian Police and Border Guard Department began proceedings to refuse to extend the temporary residence permit of Metropolitan Eugene, reports Patriarchia.ru with reference to the website of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

During the discussion, the Council adopted a final document, which expressed categorical disagreement with the decision of the Police Department.

“During the years of service as the Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Eugene showed himself to be a zealous preacher of the Gospel teaching, therefore, among our multinational flock, incl. and Estonian-speaking, he found full support and understanding, says the resolution of the Council. Today, when unfounded claims are made against Metropolitan Eugene that he poses a threat to the security of Estonia, we testify that the Primate of the EOC MP has always taken his words responsibly, which has prevented the division of his large flock, which includes people with very different views. The Gospel calls us to unity in Christ, love and patience. And this, as well as the call for peace and stability in Estonian society, was the main thing in the sermons of Metropolitan Eugene. The Church is organically connected with its Primate, like spiritual children with their spiritual father, and a possible decision to refuse to renew Metropolitan Eugene’s residence permit could become a difficult test for our entire Church.”

“The entirety of the entire Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, represented by the Council, asks to extend the residence permit of Metropolitan Eugene,” the resolution concludes.

On January 29, members of the Synod of the Estonian Orthodox Church also discussed the letter of the Police and Border Guard Department dated January 18 of this year, addressed to Metropolitan Evgeniy, about the initiation of proceedings to refuse to extend his temporary residence permit. In the published decision, the Synod of the EOC MP petitioned the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Estonia to extend the residence permit for Metropolitan Eugene of Tallinn and All Estonia.