The key facts
- Estonia's Supreme Court refused on 19 October 2026 to accept the church's cassation appeal; the ruling has entered into force
- The dispute concerned premises at 64 Pikk Street, which housed the metropolitan's chancellery and the Tallinn Diocesan Administration
- The lease was terminated on 17 April 2024; the county and circuit courts had earlier found the termination lawful
Cassation dismissed, dispute concluded
Estonia's Supreme Court refused to accept the cassation appeal of the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church, thereby concluding the years-long dispute over the lease of premises in favour of the city. This was reported by the broadcaster ERR, citing the court's ruling. The Civil Chamber on 19 October 2026 found no statutory grounds for accepting the appeal; the ruling cannot be appealed, and the decision on the lawfulness of the contract's termination has entered into force.
History of the dispute
The case concerns premises at 64 Pikk Street in central Tallinn, which housed the metropolitan's chancellery and the Tallinn Diocesan Administration. The Estonian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate occupied these premises under an open-ended lease agreement, but the city administration of Tallinn's Central District terminated it on 17 April 2024. The church challenged the termination in court, demanding that it be declared invalid and the contract remain in force. The Harju County Court on 29 August 2025 dismissed the claim, deeming the district administration's actions lawful. The Tallinn Circuit Court on 12 June 2026 left that decision unchanged.
City hall's position and negotiations
“The city acted lawfully in terminating the contract, and the premises owned by the city will be vacated,” ERR quoted Tallinn Mayor Peeter Raudsepp as saying. According to him, “the city is looking to the future,” and the district administration will do everything possible to return the premises to use as quickly as possible. City authorities have already held talks with church representatives about vacating the premises and reached a verbal agreement; the parties are now clarifying the timeline. Earlier, the Estonian Orthodox Church decided to change its name.
