Tallinn authorities have won a court case against the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), securing the return of premises in the centre of the Estonian capital. Representatives of the religious organisation are required to vacate the building housing the metropolitan’s administrative offices.
This was reported by ERR, citing a ruling by Estonia’s Supreme Court.
According to the report, the Supreme Court declined to hear the church’s appeal on points of law.
The dispute between Tallinn and the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (formerly the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate) concerned commercial premises at 64 Pikk Street in Tallinn, which the church occupied under an open-ended lease. The Kesklinn District Administration terminated the lease on 17 April 2024.
Tallinn Mayor Peeter Raudsepp said the protracted dispute had finally been resolved.
“The city acted lawfully in terminating the lease, and the city-owned premises will be vacated. We are now looking ahead, and the district administration will do everything in its power to lease the premises to a new tenant as soon as possible,” Raudsepp said.
The church challenged the termination in court, seeking to have it declared invalid and the lease confirmed as legally binding.
On 29 August 2025, Harju County Court dismissed the church’s claim, ruling that the Kesklinn District Administration had been entitled to terminate the lease. The church appealed the decision, but on 12 June 2026, Tallinn Circuit Court upheld the county court’s ruling.
On 19 October 2026, the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal on points of law, finding that the statutory grounds for reviewing the case had not been met. The Supreme Court’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.
Tallinn authorities have held talks with church representatives about vacating the premises at 64 Pikk Street. A verbal agreement was reached during the meetings, and the parties are currently finalising the timetable for vacating the property.
As LF previously reported, the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate, LF) and Pühtitsa Convent have lodged applications with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) over amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act.
As LF also reported, a debate has erupted in Estonia over the future of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn, which is regarded as a symbol of Russification. Proposals have included selling, relocating or demolishing the cathedral, converting it into a museum, or establishing closer links between the cathedral and Estonian culture.
