Estonian Orthodox Church and Pühtitsa Monastery appeal to ECHR over ties to Moscow

The Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (EKÕK) and Pühtitsa Monastery have filed complaints with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), challenging legislation requiring them to sever their ties with the Russian Orthodox Church , according to Estonia’s public broadcaster ERR .

The legal challenge concerns amendments to Estonia’s Churches and Congregations Act, which entered into force on June 27, 2026. The legislation gives religious organizations until December 28 to bring their statutes, governing bodies and activities into compliance with the new requirements.

It is recalled that on June 17, 2025, the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) approved a revised version of the amendment to the Law on Churches and Congregations, a move that essentially mandates the severance of ties between the Orthodox Church in Estonia and the Moscow Patriarchate.

The Estonian Christian Orthodox Church, formerly known as the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, argues that the legislation interferes with religious freedom and threatens its canonical identity.

Bishop Daniel of the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church explained that the Church had expected further clarification…