Historic events for Estonia and its small Catholic community took place on Saturday the blissful mass of Archbishop Eduardo Profitrich (1890-1942) at Tallinn’s Freedom Square. Profittlich was the first Estonian to be promoted to the altar by the Catholic Church.
“This day is a great gift not only to the Catholic Church in Estonia, but also to the entire Catholic Church and the entire Estonian society. The faithfulness of Archbishop Prophytrich to Christ and his love for Martism are examples of hope, courage and love for all Christians.”
The bliss was originally scheduled for May 17th this year, but was postponed after Pope Francis’ death and the election of Pope Leo XIV.
The ceremony was primarily sided with Cardinal Christophe Schoenborn of Vienna as the Pope’s envoy. The conspirators included the bishops in Cardinal Stanislow Zwiss of Krakow, Archbishop Jorg Genwain-Balticus, Bishop of Tallinn Philippe Jurdan, and Bishop of Trier Stephen Ackerman. Mass was accompanied by the choirs of St. Peter of Tallinn and Paul’s Cathedral, directed by Pir Leitma.
Who was Archbishop Eduardo Profitrich?
Born in Germany, Eduard Profittlich moved to Estonia, which became independent in the 1930s. He took Estonian citizenship, became the angel administrator of the country, and was later appointed archbishop. He was not from Estonia, but he was called “Estonian by the blood he shed.”
After the first Soviet occupation in 1940, Archbishop Profittlich decided not to leave Estonia. A year later, Soviet authorities arrested him and accused him of being a “vatican agent.” He died in a prison in Kirov, Russia in 1942 and remained faithful to the church until his death.
Bishop Philip Jordan, the current head of the Catholic Church in Estonia, said Profitrich’s martialism is a powerful testimony of faith, courage and love.
“He really chose to share the tragic fate of tens of thousands of Estonians being deported and killed in Soviet labor camps,” Bishop Jordan said. “We can say he was Estonian because of the blood he shed, not the blood he inherited,” the bishop said.
In the chapter of the Dominican Monastery in Tallinn, the uninterrupted reading of the names of the 22 Estonians, the Communist victims, continues from today until tomorrow.
Two memorial masses will be celebrated at the Cathedrals of St. Peter and St. Paul on Sunday, September 7th.