Jerusalem-based Appeal for EPCC: Gaining Community Backing
Headline: The Estonian Orthodox Church Reaches Out to Jerusalem in Tie-Severing Standoff
The lowdown: The Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC) is putting its best foot forward in Jerusalem, with Metropolitan Eugene leading a delegation in search of support and solidarity. The trip comes as the EOCC grapples with an ongoing dispute over severing ties with the Moscow Patriarchate, a demand from the Estonian government that's causing quite the uproar.
The main focus of their discussions with His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine? The Estonian authorities' push to cut the EHRC loose from the Moscow Patriarchate.
It turns out, Metropolitan Evgeny isn't so quick to oblige. He explained that the law on severing ties hasn't taken effect yet, as it contradicts three articles of the Constitution according to Estonia's president.
The Primate of the Church of Jerusalem weighed in, acknowledging the president's sensible approach. He pointed out that the European Union's states maintain a clear separation between the state and the church, but Estonia's government has allegedly blown the rules out of the water, violating international law by stepping into the church's business.
In a show of support, the Patriarch of Jerusalem offered his backing to the EOCC as it fights for its legitimate rights in both Estonia and the European Union.
Insights:
- The EOCC may be looking to Jerusalem as a haven for neutral mediation, given the historical precedent of ancient Patriarchates stepping in to settle intra-Orthodox disputes.
- The Estonian government's proposed law is seen as an attempt to sway religious influence in the country, primarily targeting the Moscow Patriarchate. By reaching out to Jerusalem, the EOCC could signal its intentions to shift away from a Russia-centric stance and align with more autonomous Orthodox centers.
- The pressure to sever ties with Moscow could harm the EOCC's case for religious autonomy if it doesn't receive backing from a respected Patriarchate, like Jerusalem. Rallying global Orthodox support could be key to avoiding this pitfall.
- The Estonian Orthodox Church (EOCC) is seeking support and solidarity from His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine, as they face a standoff over severing ties with the Moscow Patriarchate, a demand from the Estonian government.
- Metropolitan Evgeny, the head of the EOCC, has expressed reservations about the law regarding the severing of ties, stating that it contradicts three articles of Estonia's constitution according to the country's president.
- The Primate of the Church of Jerusalem has acknowledged the president's stance, emphasizing that international law is being violated by the Estonian government's intervention in the church's affairs, as it maintains a clear separation between state and church in European Union states.
- In a display of support, the Patriarch of Jerusalem has offered his backing to the EOCC as it navigates the politically charged general-news surrounding the dispute over ties with the Moscow Patriarchate.
