Kirikla Orthodox Monastery: A New Beginning for Orthodox Monastic Life in Estonia

The sounds of the Divine Liturgy resonate in Estonian as Bishop Damaskinos leads prayers in a small chapel within Kirikla Orthodox Monastery. This monastery, nestled in a farmhouse, marks the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church’s first establishment in decades in one of Europe’s most secular societies. Following the Soviet Union’s fall, the church coexists with an Orthodox church linked to the Moscow Patriarchate, which has a larger base in Estonia. Despite this, the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church remains determined to rebuild its male monastic community.

The monastery, located about 25 miles outside of Tallinn, is home to Bishop Damaskinos, the 41-year-old abbot, and his colleague, the Rev. Paisios. They are the first monks to settle and pray there since more than 80 years ago during Estonia’s independence period. The prayers of Damaskinos and Paisios extend beyond Estonia, emphasizing a global mission.

A Renewed Interest in Faith

Donning a straw hat and black cassock, Damaskinos tends to the garden, while Paisios works with volunteers in the potato field. The day is filled with work, services, and spiritual discussions. This life, though demanding, is appealing to younger visitors uninterested in the hectic pace outside. Priit Rohtmets, a church history professor, notes a rising interest in religion among young Estonians, unburdened by past Soviet-era anti-religious biases.

Becoming a monk involves spending up to three years as a novice, following the monks’ routine before taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. While Orthodox priests may marry, monks remain celibate. Damaskinos emphasizes the importance of spiritual quality over the number of monks. He believes in training monks to pray earnestly for the world.

The Daily Routine

The monks follow a routine starting with solitary prayers at dawn, group services, and communal work like gardening. Free time comes only in the evening. The Kirikla Monastery, a commitment to Orthodox monasticism, conducts services open to visitors seeking refuge from the outside world.

Other monastic communities in Estonia, like a Dominican order and a Theravada Buddhist monastery, exist alongside Kirikla. Establishments like Kirikla are rare, as some monasteries in Europe face closure with fewer joining the monastic life. Despite limited buildings, Damaskinos plans for future development to ensure monastic continuity. He focuses on building a robust brotherhood to sustain religious life in Estonia.