
Teoloogiadoktor: riigil on õigus kehtestada kirikule piiranguid
Doctor of Theology: The State Has the Right to Impose Restrictions on the Church
Rahvusvaheline praktika ei toeta Moskva Patriarhaadi Eesti Õigeusu kiriku ja Pühtitsa kloostri seisukohti. Usundiloolane ja teoloogiadoktor Andrei Sõtšov selgitab, miks riigil on õigus kehtestada piiranguid.
International practice does not support the positions of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Pühtitsa Monastery. Religious scholar and Doctor of Theology Andrei Sõtšov explains why the state has the right to impose restrictions.
According to Sõtšov, the history of many Orthodox churches shows that changes are commonplace. For example, Russian-speaking parishes in Western Europe have been under the jurisdiction of various patriarchates. In 2018, they were able to decide for themselves under which jurisdiction they would operate. Similarly, the Orthodox Church of Finland joined the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1923. There are many such examples.<p>
The same applies to the Kuremäe Monastery. Submission, in a Christian sense, speaks more of submission to Christ. Here, religious and political levels often intertwine. The Kuremäe Monastery uses this in its rhetoric. Submission is neither canonical nor hierarchical. For example, the Russian Orthodox Church was without a Moscow Patriarch until 1917.<p>
Sõtšov criticizes the position of Bishop Daniel of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. Daniel claims that his church is independent of the political statements of the Moscow Patriarch. However, Daniel fully represents the church and uses the title “Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia” with his name.<p>
Sõtšov does not take seriously Bishop Daniel’s words about the restriction of religious freedom for Orthodox believers in Estonia. Religious freedom has limitations and is subject to laws. The state has the right to impose restrictions. Restrictions on religious freedom are necessary.<p>
There are issues regarding why the residence permit of Eugen, the former head of the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, was extended. This was done for security reasons. We should not be disloyal to the structures of our state.