Interior Minister Igor Taro said that the city of Tallinn should terminate the agreement on the use of Nevsky Cathedral with the Moscow Church. Taro believes that this is not an ordinary church, but a place for tourists.
Historian Lauri Vahtre suggested selling the cathedral and moving it elsewhere. He said that this way Tallinn could get rid of a symbol of Russification. The Interior Minister agreed that the agreement should be terminated.
The cathedral belongs to the city of Tallinn. The city leased it to the Moscow Church in 2001. At that time, different political parties were in power in Tallinn, including Russian politicians. The decision was also influenced by business interests and Russian pressure.
Currently, Tallinn has no legal grounds to terminate the agreement. Deputy Mayor Tiit Terik said that if the state allows the church to operate, the city cannot terminate the agreement.
Some people want to demolish or relocate the cathedral. Historian Oliver Orro believes this is not a good idea. The cathedral is a beautiful and historic building. Its relocation would be very expensive.
Entrepreneur Tiit Pruuli suggested turning the cathedral into a museum. Orro said that the museum could tell the story of the building and Orthodoxy in Estonia.
There are two Orthodox churches in Estonia. Orro asked whether the cathedral should be used only by the Moscow Church. He proposed that the church could be more closely tied to Estonia. For example, state ceremonies could be held there.
Orro believes that the location of the cathedral on Toompea is provocative. During the Russification period, it was deliberately placed there to demonstrate Russian power.