Lithuanian MPs propose curbs on Moscow Patriarchate’s influence

Lithuanian lawmakers have proposed changes to limit the influence of hostile states through religious institutions, including measures aimed at reducing the Moscow Patriarchate’s influence in Lithuania, LRT reported.

Audronius Ažubalis and Arvydas Anušauskas, members of the opposition Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats parliamentary group, have registered amendments to two laws. The proposals would clarify the conditions for state recognition of religious communities, define who may represent them and address ownership of historic Orthodox and Sunni Muslim religious buildings.

Under one proposal, a religious community could not obtain traditional community status or other state recognition if its administrative centre is linked to entities subject to international sanctions or restrictions under Lithuanian law, or if its activities threaten national security or public order.

The amendments would also specify that the Lithuanian Orthodox community be represented by a religious centre in Lithuania established under the canons and other internal rules of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Lithuanian Sunni Muslim community would be represented by its spiritual centre, the muftiate.

The MPs said the changes were intended to reduce the Moscow Patriarch’s influence. They cited Lithuania’s 2026 national security threat assessment, in which the State Security Department warned that the Moscow Patriarchate has significant influence over dioceses under its authority abroad, including the Vilnius and Lithuanian Diocese. The department said this relationship gives Russia opportunities to influence Lithuania’s Orthodox community.

“Russia uses not only political organisations, information campaigns and intelligence networks to expand its influence. It also uses religious institutions,” Ažubalis said. “When a religious organisation’s administrative subordination gives the Kremlin the opportunity to influence Lithuanian society, this is not only a church matter but also a national security issue. The state must assess these risks and have appropriate legal tools to manage them.”

A separate amendment would set out the rights of traditional Lithuanian religious communities to property they previously owned or acquired after March 11, 1990. It would provide that property could be transferred to another party only by a decision of the community, in accordance with the law and the community’s internal rules.

The proposal would establish a legal basis for transferring several historic Orthodox buildings to the Lithuanian Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople: the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the churches of St Paraskeva and St Nicholas, the Holy Spirit monasteries in Vilnius and Surdegis, and the Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vievis.

It also addresses ownership of mosques in Kaunas, Keturiasdešimt Totorių village and Nemėžis, proposing their transfer to the Lithuanian Sunni Muslim spiritual centre, the muftiate. Decisions on individual properties would be made through procedures set out in the bill by the Seimas or the government.

The proposed changes would take effect on January 1, 2027, giving parliament and the government time to make the necessary implementation decisions.