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President of the Republic at the Reception Hosted by the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Churchon October 31, 2000, in Tallinn
31.10.2000

Your All Holiness, honourable Patriarch Bartholomew,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

You have now spent five busy days in Estonia. You have visited different corners of our country and seen the ecclesiastical life both in the capital and in the counties. I hope that your visit met the expectations you had of this little spot of land in its northern serenity. I know that during your journey here, you have met most of our leading statesmen, and that the meetings have been friendly. This shows that your auxiliaries have been doing a good job. In a complicated canonical and church policy situation, they have managed to straighten their rows and their positions and to present a clear image of the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church. This is a considerable accomplishment.

I also know there is a large fallow field that the church still has to plough. I wish the entire church strength and patience, as the gifts you have been given are like the talents that must be used skilfully. Most of all, I wish your church to have a name supported by mercy and social sensitivity. Then, people will come to you and grow with you. I wish your church strength and stamina in arranging the seminar and founding the monastery, as education and spiritual enlightenment are pillars of strength - for you and also for the future of Estonia.

There is a proverb that says: you cannot take your law to another monastery. In the current church policy situation, some people have unfortunately forgotten this rule. Besides pressure to neighbour churches, there is also indifference to laws that are common for everyone. Your visit to Estonia has brought clarity also in this respect, and we are grateful for the openness for compromise that should bring mitigation.

Likewise, I would like to thank you and your church here in Estonia for your sympathy, for your prayers and wreaths to commemorate the victims of the massacre of 1905. Ninety-five years ago, the Russian Empire ordered fire to be opened on the common inhabitants of Tallinn who claimed their right to become citizens. We are touched by your consideration. I believe that the citizens of Estonia will respond with equal consideration to the needs and the growing of the church.

Let us now raise our glasses to His Holiness and thank him for his consideration. To the glory of the church and the progress of faith!

 

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