Priit Rohtmets on the Role of the Russian Orthodox Church in Estonia and the Ukraine War

In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Estonia's parliament has officially labeled the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) an aggression-supporting organization. This follows a series of controversial statements by Metropolitan Yevgeny, the leader of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EOC-MP), which have fueled public debates about the ROC’s role in promoting Russian imperialist narratives.

In his analysis at Public Orthodoxy, Priit Rohtmets, Associate Professor of Church History at the University of Tartu, explores the role of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in Estonia amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, highlighting its function as a tool of Russian imperialism. The ROC has long been seen as a pillar of Russian influence, but the war in Ukraine has brought renewed scrutiny to its ideological role in justifying Russian actions. Estonia's decision not to extend Metropolitan Yevgeny's residence permit highlights tensions between the Estonian state and the ROC, whose historical narratives challenge Estonia's sovereignty. The EOC-MP remains isolated in Estonian society, continuing to promote Russian Orthodox imperialism.

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