In the 1920s and 1930s, before Soviet occupation, Estonia was more or less religiously homogenous. Most of the population, approximately 76%, belonged to the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (hereinafter: EELC). *1 The second largest church was the Estonian Apostolic-Orthodox Church (hereinafter: EAOC). Today approximately only 17% of the population are officially connected with different Christian churches. In 1994 and in 1998 two broad surveys were organised about religious life in Estonia. According to the results, the number of people believing in God has grown from 37% to 49%. At the same time, the number of people identifying themselves as atheists has grown from 1% to 6%. Forty-five per cent identified themselves as Lutheran. According to one unofficial estimation “Christian beliefs are mixed with pagan world view” in Estonia. It means that although 45% identify themselves as Lutheran, their actual beliefs do not always reflect church teachings. The EELC has been the dominant church in Estonia since the middle of the 16^th century and many Estonians traditionally identify themselves as Lutheran. This does not necessarily mean that they have any connection with the institutional structures of the church nor does it always reflect their religiosity. In 1999, the Estonian population was estimated to be 1,445,580. Official membership of the EELC was approximately 177,233. *2 This number includes both the active and passive members of the church. For example, in 1997 only 54,481 members had paid their annual membership fee. *3 Although results of surveys and presented figures leave considerable room for any kind of interpretation, they hopefully reflect, to some extent, the objective reality of religious life in Estonia.