Kirikukohtu ajalugu Eestis
History of Church Courts in Estonia
Kirikukohtu ajaloost Eestis ja muutused läbi aegade.
The history of church courts in Estonia and changes over time.
The church was under the Russian Empire. The clergy were separate.
In the 1920s, many Christians lived in Estonia. A large part belonged to the Lutheran Church. The church was important, but now less so.
The history of church courts began in the 13th century. The Catholic Church had its own legal system. Bishop courts dealt with religious matters.
From the 17th century, the Lutheran Church had consistories. They dealt with church matters. The decisions of the consistory could be contested.
In 1832, the Lutheran Church law came into effect in the Russian Empire. Consistories were subordinated to St. Petersburg. The church court system became two-tiered.
In 1925, the state and the church were separated. Churches gained more freedom. The consistory lost some of its tasks.
In 1926, the Ecclesiastical Supreme Court was established. It resolved disputes over consistory decisions. The Supreme Court ended its work in 1935.
During the Soviet era, church courts were closed. During the German era, they operated again. Estonia regained independence and church courts were restored. In 2021, church courts were terminated. Now disputes are resolved in the Episcopal Council.