Estonia's Interior Minister calls for expelling "Moscow" Church from Tallinn cathedral
Estonia's government has called for stripping the Church of its rights to a cathedral in Tallinn, describing it as a "symbol of Russification" and a mere tourist attraction.
Estonia's Minister of the Interior Igor Taro has demanded that Tallinn authorities terminate the lease agreement for the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with the Estonian Orthodox Church ahead of schedule. The minister stated that the building must cease to serve the interests of the Moscow Patriarchate, reports ERR News.
The sharp statements were prompted by a discussion on social media in which historian Lauri Vahtre proposed selling the cathedral, calling it an "arrogant symbol of Russification". The Interior Minister supported this position, addressing representatives of the ruling coalition in the capital: "You are now in power in Tallinn — terminate the agreement with the Moscow church".
Taro emphasized that the building belongs to the city and "there is no need to nationalize anything – simply terminate the agreement early and cut off the flow of money to the Moscow organization."
The minister also questioned the advisability of continuing cooperation with the Estonian Church, stating: “In whose interests is it to continue leasing St. Nicholas Cathedral to the Moscow church as the official representative in Estonia of war criminal Kirill?” In his view, the cathedral is a “tourist magnet” rather than a traditional parish church.
Meanwhile, Tallinn Deputy Mayor Tiit Terik said that at present there are no legal grounds for evicting the congregation. “If we act as a state governed by the rule of law and respect agreements, then we have no legal basis for terminating the lease agreement," the official explained, adding that as long as the Estonian state allows this Church to operate, the city has no reason to block access to the cathedral.
Entrepreneur Tiit Pruuli proposed establishing a "museum of religion" or a "museum of Russification" in the building. In his view, the cathedral could become a "neutral place for explaining religious issues."
Architectural historian Oliver Orro expressed hope that such initiatives would remain a thing of the Soviet era. He recalled that the cathedral is an important cultural heritage site and that relocating such a massive stone structure would be technically impossible and "insanely expensive."
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral has been in the free use of the Estonian Orthodox Church by decision of the City Council since 2001. It should be recalled that, according to recently adopted amendments to the law, religious organizations in Estonia are required by December 28 to eliminate subordination to leaders who pose a threat to the country’s security. Otherwise, the authorities may initiate the forced dissolution of a religious organization.
As the UOJ reported, the Estonian Church appealed the termination of the lease of its Tallinn chancellery.
