[ENG SUB] Press conference at the Pühtitsa convent on March 20, 2025

Описание: 00:00:00
Beginning

00:00:09
Greetings

00:02:31
Is there really a difference between serving God under the Moscow Patriarchate or the Ecumenical Patriarchate, if God is One? Why is this distinction so important to you?

00:05:04
As Estonian citizens, we stand in solidarity with what is happening in Ukraine — these are horrific events. Do you understand our position as Estonians?

00:08:24
The Ministry of the Interior insists that all Orthodox churches in Estonia will remain open, even in unfavorable circumstances. What do you know about this, and what does it mean?

00:14:17
You claim that war is wrong, yet at the same time, you say you cannot leave the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, which justifies the war. How do you reconcile this?

00:19:18
What would it mean for the monastery to lose its legal status?

00:22:02
Who owns the land and buildings of the monastery?

00:24:57
Does the lease agreement have a term, and can it be terminated unilaterally?

00:25:28
What kind of vow do the nuns take when entering the monastery? What rules do they live by and what guides them?

00:26:56
Do refugees from Ukraine ever come to the monastery? Has anyone ever left after learning it belongs to the Moscow Patriarchate?

00:28:42
Do you feel like part of the Alutaguse Parish? Have you approached the local authorities for support in solving your problems?

00:31:38
You said Patriarch Kirill’s war statements were 'his personal opinion, not the Church’s.' But when it comes to changing jurisdiction, you say 'only the Patriarch can decide.' How do you explain this?

00:37:44
Has your Church considered asking the Patriarch to clarify that his earlier comments were personal, not official? Wouldn’t that make it easier for you to defend your position in Estonia?

00:39:03
Russia is an aggressive country that seeks to destroy Ukrainian independence and is killing people there as we know. Because of this, cultural, sports, and economic ties with such an aggressive country have been severed by our country. We understand now that no contact with this regime is possible. So why do you want to maintain ties with the Moscow Patriarchate?

00:43:34
If you claim to be 'outside politics' and have 'left the world,' why do your people still participate in local elections?

00:46:59
How can one explain to an ordinary person what would change if the monastery moved to the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople?

00:52:07
Has the monastery ever approached to contact the Moscow Patriarchate to request a change in jurisdiction? Have there been such negotiations?

00:52:52
Why can’t you ask the Estonian state to raise this issue directly with the Patriarch?

00:53:16
Why can’t this issue be addressed with the Patriarch through your representatives?

00:53:52
When the Patriarch makes a public statement like this, is it not perceived as an official stance of the entire Orthodox Church?

00:56:05
This isn’t just about one statement from the Patriarch, but the broader stance of the Russian Orthodox Church that justifies Russia's actions in Ukraine. For example, priests blessing weapons sent to Ukraine. This isn’t isolated and shapes public opinion, especially in Estonia.

00:58:16
Despite everything that has been said, you still want to remain part of this Church?

00:59:22
Have you ever considered leaving Estonia and moving to Belarus or Russia, where you are welcomed and loved?

01:06:28
Has the monastery ever been closed in its history, and have there been precedents when closure was attempted?

01:07:49
During the First Republic of Estonia, the monastery was under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Did that cause a schism?

01:11:22
If there was no schism back then, could a transition to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople be possible now, given the current circumstances?

01:14:55
Do you have the right to openly say to the Patriarch, "Please don’t do this — it reflects badly on us"?

01:15:52
Have you participated in internal Church discussions regarding the war in Ukraine?

01:19:54
The Estonian Orthodox Church and Pühtitsa Monastery failed to overturn the Riigikogu’s decision recognizing them as supporting Russian aggression. Amendments to the law are still under discussion. What other options do you have to defend your rights?

01:22:38
Is it correct to understand that the monastery cannot independently decide to break ties with the Moscow Patriarchate?

01:25:06
The law does not differentiate between stavropegial and other religious structures — it applies to both the monastery and the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. Is that so? If the stavropegial status doesn’t matter, then what does?

01:26:55
Mother Superior Filareta’s appeal to the public.