Divine Diplo Update #2: Orthodox waves and 'tug of war'
Estonia expels Moscow-linked Orthodox leader, Greece faces political turbulence over same-sex marriage, revealing ROC's treatment of dissent
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This is your weekly digest of Ortho-politics updates. I've curated three stories offering insights into the ongoing dynamics between church and politics in the Baltics, Russia, and Greece. While the stories from Estonia and Greece address distinct issues, both highlight the impact of the church-state “tug of war”. The third story delves into the ROC's suppression of voices critical of the Ukraine war.
Estonia tells the head of the Moscow-tied Orthodox church to leave
Greece’s politics shaken by same-sex marriage legislation
Uminsky's case shows how the ROC treats “unpatriotic voices”
Estonia tells the head of the Moscow-tied Orthodox church to leave
Citing national security concerns, Estonia’s officials have asked the head of the church under the Moscow Patriarchate – Met. Evgeny (legal name Valery Reshetnikov) to leave the country by the 6th of February. The head of the church, who is a Russian citizen, has asked for an extension of his residence permit, which has been refused.
The Estonian police clarified that Reshetnikov has no relatives in Estonia and that his current permit had been extended before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The decision not to extend or renew Met. Evgeny’s residence permit comes after a prolonged period of problematic conduct by the head of this church and voicing support for the Russian aggression on Ukraine.
According to Estonian police, the decision not to extend his permit was made because of his actions as a representative of the Moscow Patriarchate, his public statements, and the effects these have on Estonia’s internal security. When making this decision, the police had also taken into account the role of Patriarch Kirill of the Russian church in the legitimisation of Putin’s war in Ukraine, the statement says.
Public officials, including the country’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, have stated that the church leader has been warned several times for his conduct and has not changed his problematic behaviour. More precisely, representatives of Estonia’s Ministry of Interior have met Met. Evgeny, on several occasions, asking him to stop the public support of Putin’s actions in Ukraine.
In the statement issued by the Estonian police, it is underlined that the decision targets only Met. Evgeny and should not affect the church and the believers of the Estonian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate. Country’s Interior Minister Laanemets has stated that there won't be any state interference in the election of the new head of the church.
No details were given on the activities the head of the church has been involved in. Some media reported the increased calls from some political structures in Estonia for his removal from the position last January when Met. Evgeny wanted to deliver a joint service with a movement close to the Kremlin – Koos.
Meduza reported that Met. Evgeny had voiced his opinion against the war in Ukraine. He also disagreed with Kirill regarding his position of blanket forgiveness for the sins committed by the Russian soldiers.
There are two Orthodox churches present in Estonia. According to the 2020 estimates, around 13,9% of Orthodox believers are affiliated with the church headed by Met. Evgeny (the Estonian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate) and 2,3% worship at the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church, an autonomous church under the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Greece’s politics shaken by same-sex marriage legislation
While the Orthodox Churches across Eastern Europe are battling with the effects of the war in Ukraine, the Orthodox churches in Southeast Europe are making the rounds by pushing anti-liberal agendas.
In Greece, the Orthodox Church has emerged as one of the most significant opposing factors discrediting the efforts of the country’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to pass a law that would allow same-sex marriage. Although most vocal, the church is not the only voice of opposition. Few members of the ruling New Democracy and parties of the right have also shown discontent with the proposed changes. Members of the opposition and left SYRIZA party are expected to support the law. The leader of SYRIZA, Stefanos Kasselakis, met with the head of the church in Greece earlier in the month. He urged members of parliament coming from his party to vote in favour of the legislation.
Earlier this week, Archbishop Ieronymos called an extraordinary meeting of the Holy Synod to discuss the issue after many of its clerics started voicing opinions on the matter. On the 23rd of January, the Holy Synod decided that the Church of Greece was against same-sex marriage legislation. The Greek church leader even suggested a possible referendum on the question, which was withdrawn shortly afterwards as it would complicate the issue. The church is expected to send a letter to all Members of Parliament explaining its position. Another letter would be read to the believers at the beginning of February.
Following the steps of the Church of Greece, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew also convened a synod in which it reiterated the position from the Council of Crete in 2016 on the matter, which underscored the importance of marriage being a union of man and woman.
“The Church does not accept for its members unions of same or opposite-sex couples and any other form of union apart from marriage.”
At the same time, the Ecumenical Patriarchate synod conclusions mention that:
“individuals within the Church who engage in alternative forms of union should be treated with pastoral responsibility and love in Christ.”
Parenting rights seem to be at the centre of the storm. The Greek government argues that as things are at the moment, children of same-sex couples are discriminated against as there is no legal protection for their rights. The legislation which should be put forward in February is supposed to address this. According to the government, the law will not allow same-sex couples to become parents through surrogacy.
Uminsky's case shows how the ROC treats “unpatriotic voices”
The story of Fr. Uminsky being at risk of defrocking took many Russian Orthodox believers by surprise, prompting a wave of mobilisation against it and calling Patriarch Kirill to reverse the decision taken by the ROC court. The decision calls for Uminsky to be “expelled from holy orders” for the refusal to read Kirill’s Prayer for Holy Rus.
The escalation of the case puts a spotlight on ROC’s dealing with “unpatriotic voices” within the church who dare to oppose the Kremlin narrative, which is being sacralised by the first man of the church – Patriarch Kirill.
The news of Fr. Uminsky’s removal came after a ROC church court decided on the 13th of January that Fr. Uminsky should be banned for violating his priestly oath. The case brought against him was initiated after he refused to read the “Prayer for Holy Rus”, a compulsory text which distorts Putin’s war in Ukraine and represents it as a war against Russia, at the same time calling for God’s help and victory.
The decision is sent for confirmation by Patriarch Kirill. Fr Uminsky was not present at any of the court hearings and refused to comment on the decision.
Fr. Uminsky was removed from the position of chairman at the Church of the Life-Giving Holy Trinity in Moscow, where he worked and served for many years. The Russian papers have speculated that he would be replaced with a problematic figure, Fr. Andrei Tkachov, who has a pro-war stance.
There is a clear strategy in how the ROC handles opposing views in the church. Whether Kirill will pardon his “transgressions” is a secondary matter. Going after a high-profile figure as Uminsky in the Russian church is a signal sent across the country that no one can escape the tight control Kirill is trying to exert over his clergy. The discussed replacement with Tkachov also means that rewards can come to those on board with Putin’s ideology.
This is not the first case of punishment against ROC clergy who have opposed praying for the text issued by Patriarch Kirill. The difference with the Uminsky case is that he is prominent in Moscow and has a big following. His work with children's hospices and parents has been noted throughout. Several thousand parishioners have already signed a petition against the court’s verdict. The petition says that the ban's effects would mean many families would be left without spiritual care.
For a more extended analysis, check out last week’s main piece about the uncertain future of the unrecognised Montenegrin Orthodox Church.
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Andreja Bogdanovski