Dear General Assembly and Delegates,
Honourable Metropolitans!

The Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church has today convened to its first General Assembly after World War II. I give obeisance to this event, as I wish, like you, to see it as our beloved country's and its people's faithfulness to the continuity of church.

Today, the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church shall cast aside the burden of the occupation years and the Soviet way of thinking that seems to die so hard, and start to purify and restore itself. In the token of my great expectations and deep trust, I would like to send to today's General Assembly as a message the words of Apostle John: ''He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion in stumbling in him.'' (1st General Epistle 2; 9-11).

The people and the Head of State expect today's General Assembly to concentrate on the most important task that the turbulent years of history as well as the political intrigues have brought our way, namely: the concentration of all our spiritual power to ensuring the continuity of church and the restoration of the structures of the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church. I take this opportunity to express my deepest respect for the General Assembly, and my gratitude to Metropolitan Stephanos, whose devotion, wisdom and understanding of the problems of church I highly appreciate. Follow your leader and learn from him, learn patience, chastity, and the spirit of brotherly co-operation, but do not turn your eyes back to the empire of darkness that sowed so much distrust, turn rather to see the vast field waiting for your plough. And you shall see the church to gather strength, summon the faithful, and have a strong, hopeful say in the matters of our country.

Dear General Assembly and Delegates,
Honourable Patriarchs,

As a Head of State, I expect you to make today's General Assembly a historic event that would guide your steps and actions in concentrating our nation and our country, our church and our Christian ethics on the highest goals.

In brotherly love


Lennart Meri

Kadriorg, June 21, 1999

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