Participation of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the events related to the schism in the Estonian Orthodox Church in the 1990s
https://doi.org/10.28995/2658-6541-2023-5-4-96-111
Abstract
The article analyzes actions of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the events related to the schism in the Estonian Orthodox Church in the 1990s, when in 1996 when there happened renewal of the 1923 Tomos of Patriarch Meletios IV granting autonomy to the Estonian Orthodox Church and approving its transfer to the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The efficacy of Tomos was cancelled in 1973 by the decision of Patriarch Demetrius of Constantinople. However, in the 1990s, Tomos was restored by the decision of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. The renewal of Tomos and, as a result, the final division of the Estonian Orthodox Church into two jurisdictions, became the culmination point of the time of troubles in the history of that Church in the post-Soviet period.
Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that the schism in the Estonian Orthodox Church was provoked by the Patriarchate of Constantinople, that carried out a systematic program undermining Orthodoxy in Estonia and separating the Estonian Orthodox Church from the Moscow Patriarchate.
The study is grounded on the archival materials, mainly from the Archives of the Metropolia of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate in Tallinn. For the first time, the reports of the Bishop of Tallinn and All Estonia Cornelius and other documents are introduced into scientific discourse; all those materials are valuable historical sources revealing the events related to the schism.
About the Authors
N. N. Kudlasevich
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Nikolai N. Kudlasevich, postgraduate student
bldg. 4, bld. 27, Lomonosovsky Av., Moscow,
119192
V. V. Simonov
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Veniamin V. Simonov, Dr. of Sci. (History), professor
bldg. 4, bld. 27, Lomonosovsky Av., Moscow,
119192
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Review
For citations:
Kudlasevich N.N., Simonov V.V. Participation of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the events related to the schism in the Estonian Orthodox Church in the 1990s. History and Archives. 2023;5(4):96-111. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2658-6541-2023-5-4-96-111
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