Primate of Estonian Church sends letter of support to Metropolitan Onuphry
Metropolitan Eugene of Tallinn expressed condolences over the damage to the Lavra’s Dormition Cathedral and called war an evil incompatible with the Gospel of peace.
On June 15, 2026, the head of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church, Metropolitan Eugene, sent a personal message to the Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. In his letter, the hierarch expressed deep sorrow and prayerful support for the flock, clergy, and monastics in connection with the shelling of Kyiv, which seriously damaged the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Metropolitan Eugene stressed that seeing the destruction of the ancient cathedral – “a living witness to the faith, hope, and resilience of countless generations” – is heartbreaking for all who honor the spiritual heritage. “The beauty of cathedrals lies not only in stone, but above all in the unceasing praise offered to God within church walls,” the Primate of the Estonian Church noted in his letter.
The message paid special attention to a theological assessment of what had happened. The Estonian hierarch directly condemned war as violence that “destroys human lives, homes, and places of worship.” According to Metropolitan Eugene, such actions are contrary to the will of God, Who is Love, and absolutely incompatible with the Gospel of peace.
At the end of the letter, the Primate of the EOC assured His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry that the Church in Estonia continues to offer prayers for an end to hostilities and for the healing of all those affected. The hierarch invoked the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos upon the flock of the UOC, wishing consolation to all who are “troubled and grieving.”
As the UOJ reported, the Romanian Church called the strike on the Lavra a loss for all Christianity.
