Personnel revolution in the MP ROC. The eve of Operation Heavenly City?

Personnel revolution in the MP ROC. The eve of Operation Heavenly City?

The first part of the in-person meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church took place on August 21, 2021, during the stay of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' in Solovki, on the day when the memory of the transfer of the relics of Saints Zosima, Savvaty and Herman of Solovetsky is celebrated. But, apparently, no decisions were made at this time, and this part of the Synod meeting remained closed to everyone.

In the second part of the in-person and absentee meeting of the Holy Synod, so many personnel decisions and reshuffles in leadership positions were made that it cannot be called anything other than a personnel revolution in the MP ROC. But behind the scenes of what is happening in the shadows, a very important thing remains - the question of convening a Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church to solve long-standing problems within the Church as a social organism, as well as the question of the ongoing “creeping revolution” within the MP of the Russian Orthodox Church. I propose to focus on the latter.

Has anyone noticed that the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church changes every time with the arrival of a new Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'? Those. in fact, the “general church constitution,” so to speak, is rewritten for each new Primate. I will refrain from commenting, because... This is completely open information.

“At the plenary meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, on the initiative of Metropolitan of Tver and Kashin Mikhail (Kruglyakov), a vote was taken on the issue of resetting the terms of the post of primate for the current Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill (Gundyaev). The decision was supported unanimously and was greeted with approval by the believers,” the website www.panorama.pub reported on March 10, 2020.

The same site reports that “According to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, one person can hold the position of primate for no more than 2 consecutive ten-year terms. The second term of Patriarch Kirill, elected in 2009 at the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, ends in December 2021. Thanks to the decision of the Synod, he will be able to run again for the highest church office in the country, which will help maintain stability in church affairs. Kirill himself, commenting on the decision of the Synod, called the question of the possibility of his participation in the next elections “not fundamental.”

Thus, changes were made to the Charter of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church to the effect that the Primate of the Church is elected not for life, but for a certain period. Stop! Something similar recently happened among the Roman Catholics. Now Popes are also elected not for life, but for a specific term. It turns out that the Russian Orthodox Church is beginning to copy such serious changes from the Vatican?

And this copying began under Patriarch Pimen, by the way (the predecessor of Patriarch Alexy II - Author's note). Before the Local Council of 1988 (held in the year of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus' - Author's note), there was no such phenomenon in the Russian Orthodox Church as the retirement of a bishop (bishop, archbishop, metropolitan) due to reaching the age of 80. This borrowing from the Roman Catholics occurred on the initiative of the then head of the DECR (Department for External Church Relations - a structure of the MP ROC, created on the initiative of the USSR state security agencies after the Great Patriotic War - Author's note), Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad Kirill (Gundyaev). And Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Pimen (Izvekov) agreed with this. Now every ruling bishop, upon reaching the age of 80, must submit a petition to the Patriarchate for his retirement...

An exception to this rule is the manager of the Moscow diocese, Vladyka Yuvenaly (Poyarkov), Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna, who has held his position since 1977. He will turn 85 in September 2021. Twice he applied for retirement and twice was refused. A small “lyrical digression”: according to archival data from the KGB of the USSR, published on the initiative of the Supreme Soviet of Russia in the early 1990s, Juvenaly is listed as “agent Adamant”... Adamant is a precious metal mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. The mythical metal, which served as the material for the tools of the gods, is an ultra-strong and lightweight material...

The largest decision of the Synod was made “in the Belarusian direction.” Metropolitan Pavel, who was the Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus for several years, was sent to the vacant see in Krasnodar (the historical and ecclesiastical name is Ekaterinodar) after the death of Metropolitan Isidore of Ekaterinodar and Kuban (he also headed the Higher Church Court of the Russian Orthodox Church).

But there were no less serious decisions in other areas. Thus, Bishop Paramon, who served in this position for a little over a year and a half, ceased to be the vicar of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Bishop Thomas was appointed in his place, who also spent a short time as governor of the Donskoy Monastery (and before that, transferred from the Samara Metropolis, where he was the bishop of Syzran and Zhigulevsky. - Author's note).

I will leave aside the transfer of bishops (archbishops, metropolitans) from department to department. But I consider it necessary to dwell on the personality of one of the bishops, namely: Evgeny (Kulberg), who until recently was considered the right hand of Metropolitan Kirill (Nakonechny) of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye, being the Bishop of Nizhny Tagil and Nevyansk. Back in 2003, Vladyka Eugene, as reported by Orthodox patriotic Internet resources, took part in the pogrom of an exhibition organized jointly with Archpriest Alexander Shargunov. I am retelling from hearsay, so some details regarding the events of “bygone days” may be distorted or misunderstood...

Now Vladyka Eugene (Kulberg) is Bishop of Bronnitsky, vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', vicar of the Donskoy stauropegial monastery of the city of Moscow. Instead of Bishop Thomas sent to Sergiev Posad.

At the same time, Metropolitan Kirill of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye retained his position. And the scandal associated with the persecution for the confession of schema-abbot (schemamonk) Sergius (Romanov), confessor of the Sredneuralsky convent in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Spreader of the Loaves,” seemed not to have been noticed by the clergy.

But did anyone notice that the 80-year-old Metropolitan of Ekaterinodar and Kuban Isidor, who recently died from a disease “caused by coronavirus infection” (according to the official version - Author's note), was still the chairman of the Supreme Church Court of the Russian Orthodox Church. The same court in which schema-abbot (schemamonk) Sergius (Romanov) could appeal the decision to deprive him of the priesthood. Coincidence? In addition, Vladyka Isidore turned 80 years old, which means he had to submit a petition for retirement...

On August 24, a representative of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation arrived in the Sverdlovsk region. For the uninformed, I would like to note that the APRF is actually a special service that competes with the FSB of Russia. With the coming to power of V.V. Putin, he transferred many, if not all, members of the Ozero cooperative to this structure, i.e. veterans of intelligence and counterintelligence of the KGB of the USSR.

On August 26, the administration of the governor of the Sverdlovsk region was supposed to discuss the issue related to the vast lands on which the largest monastery in Russia is located - the Sredneuralsky convent. Allegedly, not all of these lands are registered “properly”... But here, as they say, “the dog is buried.”

Having exhausted all methods, they are preparing the ground for reprisals against Fr. Sergius (Romanov), people living in the monastery - nuns (whom Metropolitan Kirill is trying to transfer to the care of schema-archimandrite-ecumenist Abraham (Reidman)), workers and laborers, defenders of the monastery, students of the secondary school on the territory of the monastery - according to the program of the Russian Classical School named after K. D. Ushinsky.

The Ekaterinburg Metropolis declared that all the monastery lands belonged to it, while the schema-abbot (schemonk) Sergius (Romanov) made it clear that the monastery was built on the territory of private estates belonging to different persons...

So everything that is happening can be perceived as preparation for Operation Heavenly City?

I know a person who recently received a revelation from the Most Holy Theotokos and St. Seraphim of Sarov that at the end of November - beginning of December (i.e. at the beginning of the Nativity Fast - Author's note) an attempt would be made to storm the monastery.

With this publication I have completed the series of articles “Heavenly City”.

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The Holy Synod at its regular meeting adopted a number of important personnel decisions

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17.06.2021

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, whose meeting took place on June 17, 2021 under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' in the Throne Hall of the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, made a number of important personnel decisions.

According to the Chairman of the Synodal Department for Relations of the Church with Society and the Media V.R. Legoyda, at a meeting of the Synod, a petition was heard from Metropolitan Lev of Novgorod and Old Russia (Tserpitsky) to retire him in connection with his 75th birthday. As a result of the discussion, the Holy Synod blessed Metropolitan Leo to continue governing the Novgorod diocese.

Having examined the state of affairs in the Sofrino art and production enterprise, members of the Holy Synod decided to relieve Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk Mercury (Ivanov) from the post of general director of the Sofrino enterprise.

“Archimandrite Elijah (Rudnev) has been appointed acting general director of Sofrino, while retaining his position as chairman of the Financial and Economic Department,” said the head of the Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media.

According to the representative of the Church, at the meeting that ended, the members of the Synod also had a judgment on the appointment of the chairman of the Church-Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for perpetuating the memory of the new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Church.

“The Holy Synod expressed gratitude to Metropolitan Yuvenaly (Poyarkov) for the labors incurred at the head of the above-mentioned Council. Metropolitan Pavel (Ponomarev) of Krutitsky and Kolomna has been appointed as the new chairman of the Church-Public Council for perpetuating the memory of the new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Church,” said V.R. Legoida.

Having heard the report of Bishop Silouan of Peterhof, Chairman of the Synodal Commission on Bioethics, presenting the composition of the said commission and the draft Regulations on it, the members of the Holy Synod decided to approve both the Regulations on the Synodal Commission on Bioethics and the proposed composition.

During the meeting of the Synod, the issue of appointing an acting rector of the Sretensky Theological Academy was also considered.

“Keeping in mind the high employment of Archpriest Maxim Kozlov as chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Synod decided to relieve him from the post of acting rector of the Sretensky Theological Academy, expressing gratitude to Father Maxim for his work in this post,” noted V.R. Legoida.

“Archpriest Vadim Leonov, vice-rector for scientific and theological work at the Sretensky Academy, has been appointed acting rector of the Sretensky Theological Academy,” added the head of the Synodal Department.

In addition, in accordance with the submitted petition and with an expression of gratitude for the fruitful labors incurred, the Synod relieved Archpriest Mikhail Vakhrushev from the post of first deputy chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church.

“Hieromonk Apollinaris (Panin) has been appointed first deputy chairman of the Educational Committee,” said a representative of the Church.

“In connection with the request of Metropolitan Vladimir of Omsk and Tauride, the Holy Synod decided to appoint Archpriest Vasily Vivchar to the position of rector of the Omsk Theological Seminary. And Archpriest Mikhail Litvinko was appointed rector of the Ekaterinodar Theological Seminary in connection with the request of Metropolitan Gregory of Ekaterinodar and Kuban,” concluded V.R. Legoida.

Editing text from:

18.06.2021 20:03:54

Russian Orthodox Church

On April 13, in the Throne Hall of the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' chaired the first meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2021.

The permanent members of the Holy Synod are: Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine Onuphry; Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsky and Kolomna; Metropolitan of Chisinau and All Moldova Vladimir; Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, head of the Metropolitan District in the Republic of Kazakhstan; Metropolitan of Tashkent and Uzbekistan Vincent, head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District; Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga Barsanuphius; Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavsky, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus; Metropolitan Dionysius of the Resurrection, manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Invited to participate in the summer session (March-August) 2021: Metropolitan Evgeniy of Tallinn and All Estonia; Metropolitan Theodore of Volgograd and Kamyshin; Bishop of Lyskovsky and Lukoyanovsky Silouan; Bishop Nikanor of Minusinsk and Kuraginsk; Bishop Alexy of Nizhny Tagil and Nevyansk.

MAGAZINE No. 1

LISTENED TO:

Message from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' about the life and activities of the Russian Orthodox Church during the coronavirus epidemic.

Reference:

Currently, in the countries of canonical responsibility of the Russian Orthodox Church, the epidemic situation varies significantly. While the situation has stabilized in Russia and Belarus, in most countries significant restrictions remain in place aimed at countering the spread of coronavirus infection.

As of the beginning of April 2021, 73 diocesan clergy and monastic stauropegial monasteries are sick in Russia, and 16 in Belarus. 151 and 19 clergy have died, respectively. More than 5,200 clerics were ill and recovered. Information on other countries of the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate is currently being collected for presentation to the Council of Bishops.

During the pandemic, the ministry of mercy intensified in the Church. Since the beginning of the pandemic, most dioceses have organized additional food and clothing assistance for those in need. In addition, during the epidemic, shelters for mothers and humanitarian aid centers created by the Church in recent years have become especially in demand. In 2021, philanthropists allocated large sums for the purchase of food and hygiene kits, as well as for paying employees and utility costs of the mentioned institutions.

In addition, the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service organized a fundraiser for food. With the collected 26.3 million, more than 23 thousand food packages were purchased and distributed to those in need in 72 dioceses in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, East Timor and the Philippines. Fundraising and purchasing of kits continues. Currently, food aid is provided to those in need in 28 dioceses.

In 2021, with the support of the Synodal Department for Charity, the Rus Food Fund, together with 21 dioceses, donated over 990 tons of food to those in need.

The number of requests to patronage services and sisterhoods of mercy regarding the care of seriously ill people has increased.

Many dioceses donated medical equipment and medicine to hospitals.

The Bishkek diocese, in agreement with local authorities, deployed a COVID hospital in its building - it received 40 people a day. Funds for the purchase of equipment and for the salary of a paramedic were transferred by the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service.

The pressure on church shelters and homeless projects in dioceses has increased.

With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, in April 2021, rules for performing the Sacraments when visiting people with coronavirus were drawn up. Distance training was organized for priests to perform the Sacraments in the red zone. For this purpose, 4,170 standard sets of protective equipment for priests were sent to 117 dioceses.

The Church also organized pastoral support for the elderly in nursing homes and boarding schools.

In 2021, the Ukrainian Church organized large-scale assistance: hundreds of tons of food, things, and equipment for doctors were donated. At the end of 2021, the social and humanitarian department of the Ukrainian Church, together with the dioceses, provided financial and material assistance to medical institutions and the population in the amount of over 2.5 million hryvnia (6.7 million rubles), 413 tons of food and 62 tons of things were donated to those in need. The Odessa diocese donated 2 ambulances to doctors.

Charitable work was intensively carried out during the epidemic in other parts of the Russian Orthodox Church.

DECIDED:

1. Take note of the message, expressing gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' for his wise primate care of the Russian Orthodox Church in the context of the coronavirus epidemic and related restrictions.

2. Thank all the clergy, monastics and laity who have worked hard and are working in the field of helping people who find themselves in a particularly difficult life situation due to the spread of the disease.

3. Call on bishops, clergy, monastics and laity to offer a special prayer for the repose of brothers and sisters in Christ who have died from the consequences of the coronavirus infection and for the consolation of their relatives and loved ones, and also not to abandon prayer to the Lord for deliverance from the harmful epidemic that has found itself.

MAGAZINE No. 2

HAD A JUDGMENT on the reorganization of the activities of the Financial and Economic Administration of the Moscow Patriarchate.

DECIDED:

1. The Most Reverend Bishop of Naro-Fominsk Paramon, vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', is relieved of his position as chairman of the Financial and Economic Administration, expressing gratitude to him for his efforts.

2. Appoint Archimandrite Elijah (Rudnev) as Chairman of the Financial and Economic Administration of the Moscow Patriarchate, releasing him from the post of Deputy Governor of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Stauropegic Monastery.

MAGAZINE No. 3

LISTENED TO:

Message from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' on the appointment of the chairman of the Synodal Department for interaction with the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies.

DECIDED:

1. To relieve Bishop Stefan of Klin, vicar of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', from the post of chairman of the Synodal Department for interaction with the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies, with an expression of gratitude for the work incurred.

2. Appoint Bishop Savvaty of Tara and Tyukalinsky as the Chairman of the Synodal Department for Interaction with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies, with his release from the management of the Tara diocese and an expression of gratitude for the archpastoral labors incurred.

3. His Grace Savvaty to be Bishop of Bronnitsky, vicar of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

4. Entrust the temporary administration of the Tara diocese to His Grace, Metropolitan of Omsk and Tauride Vladimir.

5. Appoint priest Oleg Ovcharov, cleric of the Yaroslavl diocese, as deputy chairman of the Synodal Department for interaction with the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies.

MAGAZINE No. 4

LISTENED TO:

Proposal of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' on the formation of five dioceses in the Moscow region and their unification into the Moscow Metropolis.

DECIDED:

1. Form the following dioceses in the Moscow region:

— Kolomenskaya in the urban districts: Kolomna, Ramensky, Bronnitsy, Zhukovsky, Zaraysk, Kashira, Serebryanye Prudy, Lukhovitsy, Voskresensk, Yegoryevsk;

— Balashikhinskaya in the territory of urban districts: Balashikha, Reutov, Orekhovo-Zuevsky, Shchelkovo, Losino-Petrovsky, Bogorodsky, Chernogolovka, Shatura, Pavlovsky Posad, Elektrogorsk, Fryazino, Elektrostal, ZATO Zvezdny Gorodok;

— Odintsovskaya in the territory of urban districts: Odintsovo, including the cities of Zvenigorod, Krasnogorsk, Naro-Fominsk, Istra, Volokolamsk, Lotoshino, Mozhaisky, Ruzsky, Shakhovskaya, ZATO Vlasikha, ZATO Krasnoznamensk, ZATO Molodezhny, ZATO Voskhod;

— Podolskaya in the territory of urban districts: Podolsk, Lyubertsy, Dzerzhinsky, Kotelniki, Lytkarino, Serpukhov, Protvino, Pushchino, Domodedovo, Chekhov, Stupino, Leninsky with the administrative center in the city of Vidnoye;

— Sergiev Posad in the urban districts: Sergiev Posad, Pushkin, Mytishchi, Korolev, Lobnya, Dmitrovsky, Taldomsky, Dubna, Khimki, Klin, Dolgoprudny, Solnechnogorsk.

2. To form a metropolitanate on the territory of the Moscow region, including the above-mentioned dioceses.

3. Thank His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' for his willingness to continue caring for the parishes and monasteries of the Moscow region, heading the Moscow Metropolis.

4. The diocesan bishop of the Kolomna diocese should be His Grace Juvenaly, Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna, Patriarchal Vicar, Permanent Member of the Holy Synod.

Assimilate to Metropolitan Krutitsky and Kolomna the right to govern the Moscow Metropolis with the powers determined by the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church.

5. His Eminence Bishop Nikolai of Balashikha and Orekhovo-Zuevsky will be his Eminence, retaining his position as editor-in-chief of the Publishing House of the Moscow Patriarchate.

6. His Grace Panteleimon, Bishop of Orekhovo-Zuevsky, be called Bishop of Vereisky.

7. His Eminence of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk to be His Eminence Thomas, Bishop of Pavlovo-Posad, retaining for him the position of head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate.

8. His Eminence Irinarch, Bishop of Krasnogorsk, to be called Bishop of Ramensky.

His Eminence Porfiry, Bishop of Odintsovo, to be called Bishop of Ozersk.

9. His Eminence of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov to be His Eminence Thomas, Bishop of Sergiev Posad, retaining for him the position of Vicar of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra.

10. His Grace Theophylact, Bishop of Dmitrov, to be called Bishop of Mytishchi.

11. His Grace of Podolsk and Lyubertsy to be His Grace Aksiy, Archbishop of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Kuril.

12. His Grace Tikhon, Archbishop of Podolsk, to be called Archbishop of Ruza.

13. The Most Reverend Nikanor, Bishop of Minusinsk and Kuraginsk, will be the Most Reverend of Yuzhno-Sakhalin and Kuril.

The temporary administration of the Minusinsk and Kuragin diocese will be entrusted to His Grace Panteleimon, Metropolitan of Krasnoyarsk and Achinsk.

14. His Grace Tikhon, Bishop of Vidnovsky, to be vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

His Eminence Roman, Bishop of Serpukhov, to be vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

His Grace Konstantin, Bishop of Zaraisk, to be vicar of the Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna.

His Eminence Peter, Bishop of Lukhovitsky, to be vicar of the Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna.

MAGAZINE No. 5

HAD A JUDGMENT about the state of affairs in the Chelyabinsk diocese.

DECIDED:

Bishop Parmen of Kopeisk, vicar of the Chelyabinsk diocese, is to be appointed vicar of the Kurgan diocese with the title “Vargashinsky”.

MAGAZINE No. 6

HAD A JUDGMENT about the state of affairs in the Chistopol diocese.

DECIDED:

1. Release Bishop Ignatius of Chistopol and Nizhnekamsk from the administration of the Chistopol diocese, appointing him vicar of the Kemerovo diocese with the title “Guryevsky”.

2. Entrust the temporary administration of the Chistopol diocese to His Grace Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan, head of the Tatarstan Metropolis.

MAGAZINE No. 7

WE LISTENED to the message of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia about the state of health of His Grace Bishop Nikon of Kudymkar and Vereshchagin.

DECIDED:

1. Bishop Nikon of Kudymkar and Vereshchagin is to be retired for health reasons, assigning his place of residence to the city of Perm.

2. Entrust the temporary administration of the Kudymkar diocese to His Grace Metropolitan Methodius of Perm and Kungur, head of the Perm Metropolis.

MAGAZINE No. 8

LISTENED TO:

Report of His Grace Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, on the meeting of the Synod of the Belarusian Exarchate.

Reference:

According to Article 8 of Chapter XII of the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church: “The journals of the Synod of the Exarchate are presented to the Holy Synod and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.”

DECIDED:

Approve the journals of the Synod of the Belarusian Exarchate dated January 13, 2021 (Nos. 1-2) and February 20, 2021 (Nos. 3-14).

MAGAZINE No. 9

WE HAD A JUDGMENT on the report of His Grace Metropolitan of Tashkent and Uzbekistan Vincent, head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District, on the meeting of the Synod of the Central Asian Metropolitan District.

Reference:

According to Article 9 of Chapter XIII of the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church: “The journals of the Synod of the Metropolitan District are presented to the Holy Synod and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.”

DECIDED:

Approve the journals of the Synod of the Central Asian Metropolitan District dated December 24, 2021 (Nos. 22-30) and March 29, 2021 (Nos. 1-11).

MAGAZINE No. 10

LISTENED TO:

Report of His Grace Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, on the fact of the participation of a person who does not have canonical ordination in the episcopal ordination performed by the Patriarch of Constantinople.

Reference:

From media reports it became known that on March 21, 2021, at the Divine Liturgy in the St. George Cathedral in Istanbul, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, concelebrated by the hierarchs of the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Alexandria, as well as a representative of one of the schismatic communities of Ukraine, who does not have a canonical consecration, led the ordination of Metropolitan Andrew of Saranda-ecclesiastical confirmed by the publication of relevant photographs.

DECIDED:

1. Express regret in connection with the participation of a person who does not have canonical ordination in the episcopal consecration in the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

2. Note that this event deepens the schism in the Orthodox world caused by the actions of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

3. Considering the canonical defect of the consecration of Metropolitan Andrew of Saranda-Ecclesia, it is with regret to note the impossibility of concelebrating with him in the event that, God willing, eucharistic communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople is restored. The same applies to clergy whom the mentioned metropolitan may eventually ordain.

MAGAZINE No. 11

LISTENED TO:

Report of His Grace Metropolitan of Krasnoyarsk and Achinsk Panteleimon, head of the Krasnoyarsk Metropolis, with a petition to change the boundaries of the Krasnoyarsk and Yenisei dioceses.

Reference:

Metropolitan Panteleimon, in a report addressed to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', petitions for the separation of the Evenki region from the Yenisei diocese and its transfer to the Krasnoyarsk diocese, due to the fact that the only way to get to the Evenki region by direct air is from Krasnoyarsk. Metropolitan Panteleimon also petitions for the separation of the Bolshemurtinsky and Sukhobuzimsky districts from the Krasnoyarsk diocese and their annexation to the Yenisei diocese. This proposal was put forward at a meeting of the Bishops' Council of the Krasnoyarsk diocese on January 14, 2021 by His Grace Bishop Ignatius of Yenisei and Lesosibirsk and was supported by the Council.

DECIDED:

1. Include the Evenki district of the Krasnoyarsk Territory into the Krasnoyarsk diocese, separating it from the Yenisei diocese.

2. Include the Bolshemurtinsky and Sukhobuzimsky districts of the Krasnoyarsk Territory into the Yenisei diocese, separating them from the Krasnoyarsk diocese.

MAGAZINE No. 12

LISTENED TO:

Report from His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Rybinsk and Danilovsky with a request to change the title of the diocesan bishop of the Rybinsk diocese.

Reference:

Bishop Veniamin, in a report addressed to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', asks to designate the second cathedral city of the Rybinsk diocese instead of the city of Danilov as the city of Tutaev, which has great ecclesiastical significance due to the location of revered shrines here, attracting numerous pilgrims and requiring for this reason special pastoral care diocesan bishop. At the same time, Bishop Veniamin asks to use in the episcopal title the name of the city before 1918 - Romanov-Borisoglebsk, combining the names of the three holy princes. The head of the Yaroslavl Metropolis, Metropolitan of Yaroslavl and Rostov Vadim supported this petition.

DECIDED:

Change the title of the diocesan bishop of the Rybinsk diocese from “Rybinsk and Danilovsky” to “Rybinsk and Romanovo-Borisoglebsky”.

MAGAZINE No. 13

LISTENED TO:

Reports of His Grace Metropolitan Konstantin of Petrozavodsk and Karelian, Chairman of the Synodal Liturgical Commission, on the submission of a number of troparions, kontakia and prayers to the holy saints of God for approval by the Holy Synod.

DECIDED:

Approve for general church liturgical use:

1. troparion, kontakion and prayer to the Hieromartyr Nikita, Bishop of Orekhovo-Zuevsky;
2. troparion, kontakion and prayer to the holy martyr Seraphim, Bishop of Dmitrov;
3. Troparion and Kontakion to Hieromartyr Konstantin Nekrasov, presbyter;
4. troparion, kontakion and prayer to the Venerable Martyr Nikon (Belyaev);
5. troparion, kontakion and prayer to the holy confessor Theodosius, Bishop of Kolomna and Bronnitsky.

MAGAZINE No. 14

THEY HAD A JUDGMENT on the establishment of the Order of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky.

Reference:

In accordance with Article 1.4 of the Regulations on Awards of the Russian Orthodox Church, changes and additions to this document are adopted by His Holiness the Patriarch and the Holy Synod with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.

DECIDED:

1. To establish among the highest orders of the Russian Orthodox Church the Order of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky.

2. Include the Order of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky in the list of highest orders after the Order of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Kyiv, Moscow and All Rus', with appropriate changes being made to the lists of orders and medals in paragraphs. 3.3.2 and 3.4.2 Regulations on awards of the Russian Orthodox Church.

3. Approve the statute of the Order of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky and include it in the Regulations on the awards of the Russian Orthodox Church after the statute of the Order of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Kyiv, Moscow and All Rus'.

4. Submit changes and additions to the Regulations on Awards of the Russian Orthodox Church for consideration by the next Council of Bishops.

MAGAZINE No. 15

HAD A JUDGMENT on the preliminary results of the discussion regarding the draft document “Ethical problems associated with the method of in vitro fertilization”, prepared by the Commission of the Inter-Council Presence on Theology and Theological Education.

Reference:

The draft document “Ethical Issues Associated with In Vitro Fertilization” was sent to dioceses for feedback and published for open discussion on February 5, 2021. Feedback and comments were collected until March 29, 2021.

In 2000, the Russian Orthodox Church unanimously spoke out regarding the procedure of in vitro fertilization in the Fundamentals of the Social Concept adopted by the 2000 Anniversary Council of Bishops: “From the Orthodox point of view, all types of in vitro (out-of-body) fertilization that involve the preparation, conservation and deliberate destruction of “excess” are also morally unacceptable. embryos" (XII.4).

DECIDED:

1. Note that some questions raised during the discussion regarding the document “Ethical issues associated with the method of in vitro fertilization” and concerning the possible conditions for using this method require further discussion at a high theological and scientific level.

2. Emphasize the importance of studying bioethical problems from the point of view of Orthodox doctrine with the participation of specialists of different specialties and views, and for this purpose establish a Synodal Commission on Bioethics.

3. Appoint the rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Bishop Silouan of Peterhof, as the Chairman of the Synodal Commission on Bioethics, instructing him to form a center for research in the field of bioethics on the basis of the St. Petersburg Academy, including for the development of interaction in this area with the secular scientific world.

4. The Chairman of the Synodal Commission on Bioethics should submit proposals on the composition of the Commission, as well as the draft Regulations on it, for approval by the Holy Synod at its next meeting.

5. Send the discussion materials regarding the document “Ethical problems associated with the method of in vitro fertilization” to the Synodal Commission on Bioethics for further detailed study.

6. In connection with the establishment of the Synodal Commission on Bioethics, abolish the Church-Public Council on Biomedical Ethics, thanking its chairman and members for their efforts.

MAGAZINE No. 16

LISTENED TO:

Report by Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, acting. Rector of the Sretensky Theological Seminary, on the opening at the Sretensky Theological Seminary of a program for training highly qualified personnel - a program for training scientific and pedagogical personnel in graduate school.

DECIDED:

To open a program for training highly qualified personnel at the Sretensky Theological Seminary - a program for training scientific and pedagogical personnel in graduate school, in connection with which this theological educational institution should be given the name “academy”.

MAGAZINE No. 17

LISTENED TO:

Petition from the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Kaluga and Borovsk Kliment, rector of the Kaluga Theological Seminary, accompanied by a report from Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, to open a master’s program at the Kaluga Theological Seminary in the profile “Russian patrolology of the 18th - early 20th centuries.”

Reference:

The Holy Synod determined on October 15, 2021 (magazine No. 89) that new master's programs in theological educational institutions will henceforth be opened by decision of the Holy Synod based on the presentation of the Educational Committee and the petition of the diocesan bishop in charge of the theological educational institution.

DECIDED:

Open a master's program at the Kaluga Theological Seminary in the profile “Russian patrolology of the 18th - early 20th centuries.”

MAGAZINE No. 18

WE HAD A JUDGMENT on the petition of His Grace Metropolitan Isidore of Smolensk and Dorogobuzh, accompanied by a report from Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, to join the Center for the Training of Church Specialists of the Smolensk Diocese to the Smolensk Theological Seminary.

DECIDED:

Reorganize the Center for Training of Church Specialists of the Smolensk Diocese, joining it to the Smolensk Theological Seminary as a unit of additional education.

MAGAZINE No. 19

LISTENED TO:

Report from His Grace Bishop Pankratius of Trinity, Chairman of the Synodal Commission for the Canonization of Saints, on the inclusion of additional members in the commission.

DECIDED:

Include the rectors of the Moscow and St. Petersburg Theological Academies in the Synodal Commission for the Canonization of Saints ex officio.

MAGAZINE No. 20

LISTENED TO:

Report of His Grace Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk, Chairman of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, on the appointment of his deputy.

Reference:

According to the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church, “The Holy Synod appoints... the heads of synodal institutions and, according to their recommendations, their deputies” (V.27.a).

DECIDED:

Appoint Hieromonk Macarius (Komogorov), assistant to the Chairman of the Publishing Council, as Deputy Chairman of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.

MAGAZINE No. 21

LISTENED TO:

Petition from His Grace Metropolitan Vladimir of Omsk and Tauride, accompanied by a report from Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, for his reappointment as rector of the Omsk Theological Seminary due to the expiration of the five-year statutory term of office.

Reference:

According to the standard charter of seminaries: “The rector of the seminary is appointed to the position for a period of five years (removed from office, including early) on the basis of a decree of the diocesan bishop in accordance with the definition of the Holy Synod (with the right to reappoint the rector of the seminary for a new term without limiting the number of reappointments) "

DECIDED:

To reappoint Metropolitan Vladimir of Omsk and Tauride to the position of rector of the Omsk Theological Seminary until the end of the current academic year, after which His Grace Metropolitan Vladimir must submit a candidacy for the position of rector to the Holy Synod.

MAGAZINE No. 22

HAD A JUDGMENT on the petitions of the Right Reverend Bishops for the approval by their Holy Archimandrites of especially significant monasteries of the dioceses entrusted to them.

Reference:

The Council of Bishops in 2011 decided: “Ruling bishops may be abbots (priest-archimandrites) of historically significant or largest monasteries of the diocese as an exception” (Definition “On issues of the internal life and external activities of the Russian Orthodox Church”, paragraph 25).

According to the Regulations on Monasteries and Monasticism: “The diocesan bishop has special care for the monasteries where he is the holy archimandrite: he regularly performs divine services, takes care of the spiritual structure and splendor of the monastery, and also that the monastery serves as an example for other monasteries of the diocese. The direct leadership of such a monastery is entrusted to the abbot, appointed by the Holy Synod on the recommendation of the diocesan bishop and exercising the full functions assigned to the abbot in the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, in the charter of the monastery, as well as in these Regulations.”

DECIDED:

1. To approve His Grace Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan as the holy archimandrite of the Kazan Mother of God Monastery in the city of Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan.

2. To approve His Grace Metropolitan Tikhon of Oryol and Bolkhov as holy archimandrite of the Dormition Monastery of the city of Oryol.

3. To approve His Grace Bishop Pitirim of Skopin and Shatsk as the sacred archimandrite of the Holy Spirit Monastery of the city of Skopin, Ryazan region.

MAGAZINE No. 23

LISTENED TO:

Report by His Grace Archbishop Feognost of Kashira, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism, regarding the received petitions of the diocesan Right Reverends.

DECIDED:

1. In connection with the request of His Grace Metropolitan Savva of Vologda and Kirillov to relieve Abbot Nikolai (Ananyev) from the post of Abbot of the Zaonikiev Monastery of the Mother of God-Vladimir Monastery in the village of Luchnikovo, Vologda district, Vologda region.

2. In connection with the request of His Grace Metropolitan Sergius of Barnaul and Altai to appoint nun Nina (Lebedeva) to the position of abbess of the Znamensky Convent of the city of Barnaul, Altai Territory.

3. In connection with the request of His Grace Archbishop Zosima of Solikamsk and Chusovsky:

3.1. To appoint Hieromonk Lazar (Semyonov) to the position of abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery in the city of Solikamsk, Perm Territory;

3.2. To appoint nun Pavla (Polyakova) to the position of abbess of the Krasnoselsky St. John the Baptist Convent in the city of Solikamsk, Perm Territory.

4. In connection with the request of His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Rybinsk and Danilovsky to appoint nun Claudia (Anisimova) to the position of abbess of the Mologsky Pokrovsky convent of the town of Bykovo, Nekouz district, Yaroslavl region.

5. In connection with the request of His Grace Bishop Pitirim of Skopinsk and Shatsk to appoint Archimandrite Theodosius (Ivanov) to the position of abbot of the Nikolo-Cherneevsky Monastery in the village of Starocherneevo, Shatsk district, Ryazan region.

6. In connection with the request of His Grace Bishop John of Kalachevsky and Pallasovsky to relieve Hegumen Iakinthos (Glushkov) from the post of rector of the St. Gabriel-Arkhangelsk Monastery of the Barbashi farmstead, Svetloyarsk district, Volgograd region.

7. In connection with the request of His Grace Bishop Spiridon of Birsk and Beloretsk to move the Holy Trinity Convent from the city of Birsk to the village of Krasny Klyuch, Nurimanovsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan, with the renaming of the monastery at its location.

MAGAZINE No. 24

THEY HAD A JUDGMENT about the state of affairs in the Nilo-Stolobenskaya desert.

Reference:

The Holy Synod at its meeting on August 25, 2021 (journal No. 72) determined: “In connection with the report of His Eminence Metropolitan Savva of Tver and Kashin, reporting on serious violations committed by the abbot of the Nilo-Stolobensk Hermitage, Archimandrite Arkady (Gubanov) in the management of the monastery, to entrust His Eminence of Tver thoroughly investigate the allegations. To remove Archimandrite Arkady from the management of the Nilo-Stolobensk Hermitage for the duration of the investigation and entrust the management of the monastery to the diocesan bishop.” On April 5, 2021, Archimandrite Arkady (Gubanov) sent a request to His Grace Metropolitan of Tver and Kashin Ambrose to release him from the post of vicar of the Nilo-Stolobensk Hermitage and to count him as a staff member with the right to transfer to another diocese.

DECIDED:

1. Release Archimandrite Arkady (Gubanov) from the post of governor of the Nilo-Stolobensk Hermitage in accordance with the submitted petition.

2. In connection with the request of His Grace Metropolitan Ambrose of Tver and Kashin, to appoint Archimandrite Stefan (Tarakanov), deputy chairman of the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism, as the abbot of the Nilo-Stolobenskaya Hermitage Monastery, while retaining for him the indicated obedience in the Synodal Department.

MAGAZINE No. 25

LISTENED TO:

Message from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' about dioceses and parishes abroad.

DECIDED:

Berlin-German Diocese

1. Priest Alexander Vasilenko, clergyman of the Kokshetau diocese, is to be placed at the disposal of the administrator of the Berlin-German diocese.

2. Archpriest Pavel Melnikov, a supernumerary clergyman of the Buzuluk diocese, should be placed at the disposal of the administrator of the Berlin-German diocese.

Spanish-Portuguese Diocese

3. Archpriest Nikolai Efimchuk, a supernumerary clergyman of the Khmelnytsky diocese, should be placed at the disposal of the administrator of the Spanish-Portuguese diocese.

Parish of the Russian Orthodox Church in Cairo, Egypt

4. Priest Victor Kulagu, due to the end of his business trip, be relieved of his post as rector of the parish of the Russian Orthodox Church in Cairo and placed at the disposal of the administrator of the Bobruisk diocese.

Press service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'

The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church created chaos instead of reforms

The new Patriarchal Exarch in Minsk, as it were, “came out to the people.” Photo from the site www.church.by

The meeting of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church was held in person for the first time since the announcement of the coronavirus pandemic on August 25 at the Moscow St. Daniel Monastery. In just a few hours, the synods made many decisions at a feverish pace.

Pro-Moscow Exarchate

The main result of the meeting was the change of head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Pavel (Ponomarev), who has headed the exarchate since December 2013, will now oversee the Kuban Metropolis. Bishop Veniamin (Tupeco) of Borisov and Maryinogorsk was appointed the new patriarchal exarch. A native Belarusian, loyal to the current government of the republic and an opponent of autocephaly, he must cope with the situation in which Belarusian Orthodoxy now finds itself and which the “Russian” Ponomarev could not cope with. “The Holy Synod and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' made a decision in order to preserve our Belarusian Orthodox Church intact, unified, so that in this difficult time for Belarus no one would reproach the exarchs for some inappropriate sentiments. But I never divided people for political reasons,” Ponomarev seemed to justify himself in his farewell speech in the Minsk Cathedral.

“The appointment of a native Belarusian to the Minsk department is a completely logical decision,” Roman Lunkin, head of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, explained to NGR. “However, judging by the fact that Veniamin Tupeco does not have any political worldview, most likely he was put in the exarchate of the Moscow Patriarchate only so that he would not declare any position at all and would not do the political nonsense that Metropolitan Pavel managed to do.” “When, during the current protests, Pavel hesitated and behaved indecisively, and the church, which in Belarus is perceived as an extension of the state, suddenly began to criticize Lukashenko, which was an unpleasant surprise for him, he apparently insisted that the exarch be replaced,” noted in a conversation with NGR, first vice-president of the Center for Political Technologies Alexey Makarkin. – Veniamin in this sense will be more dependent on Lukashenko’s government. In the Moscow Patriarchate, for which the principle of control is also important - and Metropolitan Pavel could no longer control the situation and therefore lost the trust of both Lukashenko and the Russian Orthodox Church - they were forced to come to terms with the figure of Metropolitan Benjamin. Vertical is vertical, and control is more important.”

New broom for dissidents

Personnel changes also took place in Russian dioceses. Metropolitan Longin (Korchagin) was appointed to the Simbirsk diocese. Before that, he headed the Saratov Metropolis. The hierarch most likely lost his department in Saratov because of his Covid-dissidence. During the pandemic, he opposed the closure of churches and even condemned the authorities of the Saratov region, who decided to ban visiting churches on Easter Eve. “Longinus had a good diocese, where he sat firmly and was a fairly respected person. His transfer to the Simbirsk diocese became a kind of revenge for his behavior during the pandemic, when he openly stated that due to the forced closure of churches, the symphony of church and state was over,” Lunkin is sure.

Metropolitan Ignatius (Deputies), who ruled the Vologda diocese, was appointed to replace Korchagin. In June, he became the victim of a telephone prank by Ukrainian prankster Evgeniy Volnov, who introduced himself as an employee of the “department for combating sects and destructive cults.” During the ten-minute conversation, the Metropolitan complained about other hierarchs. “Unwittingly, the prankster showed that the church elite is dependent on secular power, and, of course, the patriarchy did not like this,” says Alexey Makarkin. The Vologda department will be occupied by Metropolitan Savva (Mikheev). He was released from the administration of the Tver diocese. Rumor has it that Savva did not find mutual understanding with the governor, sent the clergy he disliked to monasteries, and turned influential archpriests against him. He supported the translation of liturgical services into Russian, for which he received disapproval from conservatives. Before this, he spent several months as manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate. The church leadership “is dissatisfied with the style of leadership and the decisions that Metropolitan Savva made in Tver, his support of the Kochetkovites (supporters of the priest Georgy Kochetkov - “NGR”) and the subsequent leapfrog with shuffling of the conservative clergy,” Lunkin believes. “Confirmation is the appearance of a paper on verification of Kochetkov’s movement,” the expert adds.

“The transfer of Metropolitan Savva is certainly a demotion, but not fatal. This is not Siberia. Vologda is the oldest department. However, it is interesting that at one time it was the Vologda diocese that was ruled by one of the most liberal archpastors, Mikhail (Mudyugin). Nevertheless, Savva’s problem is connected not so much with the tangle of problems that he had in Tver, but with his dismissal from his post as a manager. It was then that his position began to weaken. At the same time, Savva was given a fairly prestigious metropolis, which many people dream of,” added Makarkin.

The Tver diocese is headed by Archbishop Ambrose (Ermakov) of Verei, who just a year ago was appointed rector of the Sretensky Theological Seminary and abbot of the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow. He heads the working group at the Synodal Biblical and Theological Commission. Not long ago, the group began to study the activities of the priest Georgy Kochetkov, from the support of whose followers Savva (Mikheev) suffered.

Shuffles in the system of spiritual education

By the decision of the Synod, the positions of rector of Sretensky Seminary and abbot of the monastery of the same name were separated for the first time. “To appoint Hieromonk John (Ludishchev), a resident of the Sretensky Monastery, as the vicar of the Sretensky Stavropegic Monastery. In addition to the obediences carried out, appoint Archpriest Maxim Kozlov as acting rector of the Sretensky Theological Seminary,” says the synodal journals. Hieromonk John (Ludishchev) is known in the church community as a man of Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov). The latter, starting from 2012, was not only the abbot of the Sretensky monastery, but also the rector of the Sretensky Seminary. However, in 2021, Tikhon was suddenly sent to the Pskov department. In 2021, for a short time, it was Ludishchev who became acting. the abbot of the monastery, but very soon went to Shevkunov in Pechory.

The fate of the Sretensky Seminary was then entrusted first to Hieromonk Siluan (Nikitin), and a year later - to Ambrose (Ermakov). Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, being the head of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, a year ago put forward the idea of ​​​​merging the Moscow Theological Academy (MDA) and Sretensky Seminary. However, nothing came of this project. Experts also note that the current division of posts is modeled after the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and the Moscow Theological Academy (MDA) located on its territory, which may mean a kind of increase in the status of Sretensky Seminary. “Despite the fact that complete revenge did not happen and Metropolitan Tikhon did not return to the seminary and monastery, nevertheless Maxim Kozlov is listed only as acting rector, so the question of who will be rector has been postponed for now. But taking into account the fact that the seminary is located on the territory of the monastery, and the monastery is again becoming “Tikhonov’s” and Shevkunov will again be able to come and serve in the Church of Confessors and Martyrs that he built, his influence on the seminary may grow. In any case, the seminarians who sympathize with Tikhon have now perked up,” noted Alexey Makarkin.

A reshuffle also took place in the MDA. From now on, its rector will not be Bishop Pitirim (Tvorogov), but Bishop Theodorit (Tikhonov). The castling was caused by the fact that Tvorogov failed to manage the academy during the pandemic. The students and teaching staff of the educational institution were significantly affected by the coronavirus, and Pitirim himself also became ill. “Vladyka Pitirim is a very active, charismatic person, including on the Internet,” explained Makarkin. - But he is not a theologian. And at the academy he was unable to place himself at the level of authority for professors and church intellectuals. When it was established as part of the reform proposed by Maxim Kozlov, they apparently wanted church intellectuals to be trained at the Sretensky Seminary, and pastors to be trained at the MDA. That is why they appointed a bishop with extensive pastoral experience. Moreover, in the situation with the Lavra during the pandemic, he revealed one secret that the Russian Orthodox Church preferred not to talk about. When the question arose about who was to blame for the outbreak of the pandemic in the monastery and academy, Pitirim, justifying himself, said that it was the parishioners who insisted that the monastery be opened. That is, he showed the other side of zealous parishioners, who often have extremely little respect for the hierarchy and the clergy.” “This is quite strongly rooted and widespread in the Russian tradition, but the Russian Orthodox Church prefers not to talk about it,” the expert emphasized.

Bishop Theodorit (Tikhonov) is tasked with trying to bring the academy out of crisis. It is noteworthy that before Tvorogov, Ambrose (Ermakov) was the rector of the MDA for a whole year. “The current reshuffles in the Moscow Theological Academy and Sretensky Seminary indicate that the way theological education is developing today does not satisfy Patriarch Kirill. These leading theological schools have been in a fever for several years, and so far the church cannot find the optimal solution to this problem,” Roman Lunkin is sure.

Not only the former rector of the MDA fell into disgrace, but also the governor of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The decision of the synods in the monastery after Patriarch Kirill became the main one, the now former abbot of the Donskoy Monastery, Bishop Thomas (Demchuk). In this post he replaced Bishop Paramon (Golubka). From the main monastery of the country, the hierarch went to head the Financial and Economic Administration (FED) of the patriarchy, most likely because he failed to close the doors of the monastery in time. “Of course, his departure from the Lavra is a consequence of the pandemic, but he did not lose the trust of the patriarch, and that is why the FHU was entrusted to him,” Makarkin believes.

Changes also occurred at the Ryazan Theological Seminary. The temporary performance of the duties of rector is entrusted to Metropolitan Mark (Golovkov) of Ryazan and Mikhailovsky. Previously, the educational institution was headed by Theodoret (Tikhonov). The chairman of the Synodal Department of Religious Education and Catechesis also changed. He will now be Bishop Evgeniy (Kulberg) of Bronnitsky, who came from the Urals, instead of Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk Mercury (Ivanov), who has now been appointed to the position of general director of the Sofrino art and production enterprise.

Retired Charisma

Almost like a bolt from the blue, Archpriest Dimitry Smirnov was relieved of his post as Chairman of the Patriarchal Commission on Family Issues, Protection of Motherhood and Childhood. He is notorious for his statements, for example, that girls should not go to school, but prepare for motherhood, and about unmarried wives as “free prostitutes.” He argued that in educational measures a child “can be punched in the face” and advocated the need to consecrate weapons of mass destruction. In May, Smirnov suffered from COVID-19, and after being discharged from the hospital, he announced that he was “going into seclusion” until the end of August. Now the commission will be headed by priest Feodor Lukyanov, a fighter against IVF and surrogacy.

For the first time, a woman appeared on the Supreme Church Council (SCC) - the head of the Legal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, Abbess Ksenia (Chernega). The All-Russian Central Council was created on the initiative of Patriarch Kirill in 2011. The competence of the council includes coordinating the activities of synodal and other church-wide institutions, discussing current issues of church life, taking measures to implement the decisions of Local and Bishops' Councils, etc. “Indeed, before this, women were not part of the Supreme Church Council as permanent members,” Vakhtang Kipshidze, deputy chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media, told TASS. “At the same time... The Supreme Church Council by its nature is not a structure that has ever been closed to the meaningful contribution of specialists, no matter their gender.”

The resolution “on cases of disclosure of confidential information by clergy or monastics serving in general church or diocesan structures” received a strong reaction on social networks. The resolution states that the disclosure of canonical or church-administrative information to third parties, including journalists, “without the blessing of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' or the diocesan bishop by a clergy or monastic serving obedience in the general church or diocesan structure,” entails punishment. For clergy - prohibition from serving for up to 1 year, and if the same act is committed again - up to 3 years. For monastics - “excommunication from communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ for a period of up to 1 year (if the same act is repeated - up to 3 years).”

“This year we have faced several campaigns against bishops. There were powerful leaks of documents and their publication on networks with such details that it was not always clear where reality ended and speculation began. The Synodal resolution is most likely a reaction to these campaigns,” explained Alexey Makarkin. However, according to the political scientist, bans will not solve the problem. “If you look at the experience of the Roman Catholic Church, then all participants in conclaves, under threat of sanctions, undertake not to disclose information about the process of electing the Pope. At the same time, there are always a lot of leaks from conclaves. Therefore, it is possible to tighten, threaten, and punish for the disclosure of secret information, but in the modern world it is impossible to maintain complete secrecy. Especially now. So punish - don’t punish, fight leaks - don’t fight, they will happen anyway,” concluded Makarkin.

“All the decisions of this Synod, probably for the first time, so publicly and openly stated the crisis of church governance that has developed during the decade of Patriarch Kirill’s leadership in various areas of the life of the Russian Orthodox Church,” summed up Roman Lunkin. The expert added that most of the personnel changes, in his opinion, “can be included in a number of both political and personal emotional decisions of the patriarch.” “There is an idea that this was a conservative Synod, that reactionaries prevailed at it, there was also an opinion that it strengthened the patriarchal vertical of power, but I would not rush to such conclusions,” added Alexei Makarkin. – This Synod can be called reactive, and all its decisions were reactive. There was no big, well-thought-out plan. There were a number of reactions to certain events or scandals.”

The Russian Orthodox Church decided to put an end to the issue of the royal remains

The meeting was held on June 17, 2021 in the Throne Hall of the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in the Moscow Danilov Monastery, chaired by Patriarch Kirill.

As usual, quite a lot of issues were considered, but the most historical - in every sense of the word - is, perhaps, this decision: “The Holy Synod decided to submit the results of examinations on the identification of the “Ekaterinburg remains” for consideration by the Council of Bishops,” the information reads. posted on the official website of the Moscow Patriarchate. For reference: the next Council of Bishops is scheduled to take place in November of this year.

Before this, the members of the Synod reportedly heard a report by Metropolitan Tikhon of Pskov and Porkhov, a member of the church commission created in 2015 “to study the results of the study of Yekaterinburg remains” and its de facto leader (the nominal chairman is Metropolitan Barsanuphius of St. Petersburg and Ladoga).

In addition, the church Politburo got acquainted with the information provided by the Investigative Committee of Russia - “regarding various examinations (molecular genetic, physicochemical, traceological, ballistic, handwriting, autocorrection, historical and archival, soil science, forensic - anthropological, forensic), appointed as part of the investigation into the criminal case of the murder of members of the royal family.”

And two more important decisions: the Holy Synod decided to “express gratitude to all those working to establish the truth in the matter of identifying the “Ekaterinburg remains” and “to publish information about the results of the examinations after their completion.”

In short, everything is heading towards the fact that already this year the Russian Orthodox Church will announce to the city and the world the official recognition of the “Ekaterinburg remains” as the relics of the royal martyrs. Well, or he will declare that he categorically does not recognize them, that they are “false powers.” Theoretically, the last option is also possible: the decisions of the Holy Synod do not give direct indications of the outcome of the process.

However, taking into account the known circumstances of this case, the chances of such an ending are still negligible. The Investigative Committee, whose information was listened to with such attention by the church leadership, gave a categorical answer to the question about the identity of the ashes three years ago.

“The conclusions of complex commission molecular genetic examinations confirmed that the discovered remains belonged to former Emperor Nicholas II, members of his family and people from their entourage,” said Svetlana Petrenko, official representative of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, on the day of the centenary of the execution, July 16, 2021.

By the way, the church commission, according to our sources, came to exactly the same conclusion. And also not yesterday: the corresponding conclusion was ready at the latest in 2017.

What is the reason for the delay in the final decision? Here is the opinion of politician and philosopher Viktor Aksyuchits (Viktor Vladimirovich was the secretary of the government commission to study issues related to the research and reburial of the remains of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II and members of his family, which worked in the 1990s), expressed in an interview with an MK observer:

“There are a complex of reasons here. Among the Orthodox community there are people who are extremely negative towards the royal remains, which they call nothing less than “false relics”. Radicals are few in number, but very active. They speak in the media, organize conferences and round tables. Some are threatening a split.

It seems that recognition of the remains is being delayed, not least in the expectation that passions will calm down on their own. It is also impossible not to take into account the force of inertia: over the last quarter of a century, representatives of the Patriarchate have said a lot of inadequate things on this issue. There is an opinion among the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church that not recognizing the royal remains is a lesser sin than admitting that the church made a mistake.”

And the fact that these “objective obstacles” to the recognition of the remains have not been eliminated does not allow us to consider the decision that the Council of Bishops will make in November predetermined. No, the remains, of course, will not be called “false relics.” This would be a universal scandal and a direct confrontation with the authorities - in the person of the Investigative Committee.

But it cannot be ruled out at all that everything will end the same way it ended so far: after discussing the results of the examinations and paying tribute to “those who worked to establish the truth,” the bishops will decide that something is still missing for a final establishment. And again they will postpone the resolution of the issue - for a year, two, five, ten...

Such a scenario would be quite logical in its own way. Firstly, for the church, as you know, centuries are not a long time. And secondly, there must be at least some eternal stories in this bustling world.

Read about the background of the issue in the article “A former investigator in the “tsar’s case” spoke about its political background”

Vaccine of experience

— Yes, His Holiness the Patriarch was vaccinated. Both injections were given back in March, before the 20th,” Vladimir Legoyda said.

According to him, after vaccination, Patriarch Kirill “feels very good.” When asked by a RIA Novosti journalist which vaccine the patriarch was vaccinated with, the church speaker replied: “One of three domestic ones.”

Assessing the situation in the church at the Synod meeting, the patriarch spoke about new models of pastoral work with people developed during the pandemic and examples of the sacrificial service of priests.

According to him, measures regarding visiting churches were taken by the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church in a timely manner. “This prevented the emerging tendency to blame, as often happens, the Church for being the source of the spread of infection,” the patriarch noted. He especially emphasized that “we in no way question the healing power of the Holy Mysteries of Christ” and “by communing the Body and Blood of Christ, we are communing with a great shrine, which is not subject to any infection, to any evil, because it is the Holy One that is taught saints."

But at the same time, in the Church, according to sanitary regulations, attendance at divine services is regulated; believers are appropriately distributed throughout the area of ​​churches, wear masks and receive communion in a special way. The absolute majority of believers, according to the patriarch, treat the measures taken with understanding.

Attendance at services is regulated in the Church; believers wear masks and receive communion in a special way.

The Patriarch noted with gratitude the sacrificial service of priests in hospitals, including in infectious diseases departments, and the pastoral care of Covid patients. Recalling the losses of the clergy, he emphasized that he keeps “in grateful memory the feat of our clergy, who ... were not afraid of infection, were not afraid of the fear of death and fulfilled their pastoral duty to the end.”

Now in the countries of canonical responsibility of the Russian Orthodox Church, the epidemic situation differs significantly. “If the situation has stabilized in Russia and Belarus, then in most countries significant restrictions remain in place aimed at countering the spread of coronavirus infection,” the journals of today’s meeting of the Holy Synod report.

During the pandemic, the Church intensified its ministry of mercy. The Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service organized a fundraiser for food. With the collected 26.3 million rubles, more than 23 thousand food packages were purchased and distributed to those in need in 72 dioceses in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, East Timor and the Philippines. In 2020, with the support of the Synodal Department for Charity, the Rus Food Fund, together with 21 dioceses, donated over 990 tons of food to those in need. The burden on church shelters and homeless projects has increased. Pastoral support for the elderly in nursing homes and boarding schools was organized.

PORTAL CONTACTS

On December 29, 2021, under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church was held in a remote format.

The permanent members of the Holy Synod are: Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine Onuphry; Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsky and Kolomna; Metropolitan of Chisinau and All Moldova Vladimir; Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, head of the Metropolitan District in the Republic of Kazakhstan; Metropolitan of Tashkent and Uzbekistan Vincent, head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District; Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga Barsanuphius; Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavsky, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus; Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; Metropolitan Dionysius of the Resurrection, manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Invited to participate in the winter session (September-February): Archbishop of Yuzhno-Sakhalin and Kuril Aksiy; Bishop of Borovichi and Pestovsky Ephraim; Bishop Alexy of Buzuluk and Sorochinsky; Bishop of Shakhtinsky and Millerovsky Simon; Bishop of Roslavl and Desnogorsk Meletius.

MAGAZINE No. 103
HAD A JUDGMENT on convening a Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2021.

Reference:

According to paragraph 2 of Chapter III of the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church: “The Council of Bishops is convened by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens) and the Holy Synod at least once every four years.” The previous regular Council of Bishops was held from November 29 to December 2, 2021.

DECIDED:

1. Hold the next Council of Bishops from November 15 to 18, 2021.

2. To prepare for the Council of Bishops, hold a Plenum of the Inter-Council Presence from May 26 to 28, 2021.

MAGAZINE No. 104

HAD A JUDGMENT about the work plan of the Supreme Church Council for 2021.

DECIDED:

Approve the work plan of the Supreme Church Council for 2021.

MAGAZINE No. 105

LISTENED TO:

Report by His Grace Metropolitan Dionysius of the Resurrection, Secretary of the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church, on the activities of the Inter-Council Presence in 2021.

Reference:

In 2021, two sessions of meetings of the commissions of the Inter-Council Presence were held: from March 16 to 20 and from September 30 to November 5. Due to anti-epidemic restrictions, meetings of some commissions were held outside these sessions and remotely. A total of 12 meetings of specialized commissions were held, which worked on 36 topics. The commissions organized 25 different events - conferences, seminars, round tables (including remotely). The commissions were considering 24 draft documents, work on most of them will continue in 2021. The draft document: “On the blessing of Orthodox soldiers for the performance of military duty”, which is being considered by the editorial commission, went through a discussion procedure through mailing out to the diocese and publication.

DECIDED:

1. Take note of the report.

2. Express gratitude to the chairmen and members of the commissions who did not stop their work under anti-epidemic restrictions.

MAGAZINE No. 106

HAD A JUDGMENT about the work plans of synodal institutions for 2021.

Reference:

According to paragraph b of Article 29 of Chapter V of the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church, “Carrying out the leadership of synodal institutions, the Holy Synod <...> approves the annual work plans of synodal institutions and accepts their reports.”

DECIDED:

Approve the plans of synodal institutions for 2021.

MAGAZINE No. 107

HAD A JUDGMENT on the Plan of anniversary events proposed for implementation by the Synodal departments, religious educational institutions and dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church, for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the birth of the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky.

DECIDED:

1. Approve the Plan of anniversary events proposed for holding by the Synodal departments, religious educational institutions and dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church, for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the birth of the Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky and bless the implementation of this Plan with the possibility of its adjustment in the working order depending on changes in the situation.

2. Approve a Comprehensive Plan of Main Events dedicated to the 800th Anniversary of the Birth of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, including events prepared in cooperation with state federal, regional and municipal authorities with church-wide and diocesan institutions.

MAGAZINE No. 108

LISTENED TO:

Report by His Grace Metropolitan of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye Evgeniy, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the International Christmas Educational Readings, with proposals regarding the procedure for holding the Readings in 2021.

Reference:

The Holy Synod, at its meeting on March 11, 2021, determined: “To hold the XXIX International Christmas educational readings from January 24 to 27, 2021 on the topic: “Alexander Nevsky: West and East, the historical memory of the people”” (magazine No. 3). In a meeting dated December 8, 2021 (magazine No. 100), the Holy Synod recognized “it is extremely difficult to hold the plenary meeting and most of the sectional events” of the Readings in person in January 2021 “if the current level of complexity of the epidemic situation continues.” The Holy Synod instructed the Organizing Committee of the Readings to submit proposals on the possible time, place and procedure for their holding.

DECIDED:

To postpone the events of the XXIX International Christmas Educational Readings to the period from May 16 to 19, 2021, calling them the XXIX International Educational Readings.

MAGAZINE No. 109

THEY HAD A JUDGMENT on approving the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad on the election of a vicar of the German diocese.

Reference:

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' received an appeal from Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York with a request for approval by the Holy Synod of the election by the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad as vicar of the German diocese of the cleric of this diocese, Abbot Job (Bandmann). In accordance with the Act on Canonical Communion of May 17, 2007: “The bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia are elected by its Council of Bishops or, in cases provided for by the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, by the Synod of Bishops. The election is approved on canonical grounds by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.”

DECIDED:

To approve the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad on the election of Abbot Job (Bandmann) as vicar of the German diocese, leaving the place and time of his consecration to the discretion of the Hierarchy of the Russian Church Abroad.

MAGAZINE No. 110

LISTENED TO:

Report of His Grace Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, on the meeting of the Synod of the Belarusian Exarchate.

Reference:

According to Article 8 of Chapter XII of the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church: “The journals of the Synod of the Exarchate are presented to the Holy Synod and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.”

DECIDED:

Approve the journals of the Synod of the Belarusian Exarchate of December 14, 2020 (Nos. 39-60).

MAGAZINE No. 111

LISTENED TO:

Report of His Grace Metropolitan Anthony of Korsun and Western Europe, Head of the Moscow Patriarchate Office for Foreign Institutions, Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe, on the submission of the journals of the Synod of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Western Europe for approval by the Holy Synod.

Reference:

According to paragraph 12 of the Internal Regulations of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Western Europe: “The journals of the Synod of the Exarchate are signed by all its members, submitted to the Holy Synod and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.” According to paragraph 10.m of the Internal Regulations: “The Synod of the Exarchate submits for approval by the Holy Synod candidates <…> abbots (abbesses) of the monasteries of the dioceses of the Exarchate.”

DECIDED:

1. Approve the journals of the Synod of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Western Europe dated December 10, 2020 (Nos. 1-11).

2. In connection with the submission of the Synod of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Western Europe (magazine No. 11 of December 10, 2020), to appoint Archimandrite John (Remmery), a clergyman of the Brussels diocese, to the position of abbot of the monastery in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Belgium.

MAGAZINE No. 112

LISTENED TO:

Report by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Korsun and Western Europe, Head of the Moscow Patriarchate Office for Foreign Institutions, on the journals of the Synod of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia, submitted for approval to the Holy Synod by His Eminence Metropolitan Sergius of Singapore and Southeast Asia, Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia.

Reference:

According to paragraph 12 of the Internal Regulations of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia: “The journals of the Synod of the Exarchate are signed by all its members, submitted to the Holy Synod and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.”

In its meeting of 08/25/2020 (journal No. 73), the Holy Synod included “in the sphere of pastoral responsibility of the Singapore diocese the states of East Timor and Papua New Guinea.”

DECIDED:

1. Approve the journals of the Synod of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia dated 09/02/2020 (Nos. 1-8).

2. In connection with the presentation of the Synod of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia (magazine No. 3 of 09/02/2020), paragraph 20 of the Internal Regulations on the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia should be stated as follows: “The Exarchate includes the following dioceses: Singapore (Republic of Singapore, Malaysia and the Republic of Indonesia), Korean (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of East Timor and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ), Thailand (Kingdom of Thailand, Kingdom of Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic and Republic of the Union of Myanmar), Philippine -Vietnamese (Republic of the Philippines and Socialist Republic of Vietnam). This list of canonical divisions changes upon the formation or inclusion of other dioceses into the Exarchate by decision of the Holy Synod.”

MAGAZINE No. 113

THEY HAD A JUDGMENT about the procedure for approving liturgical texts for locally revered saints.

DECIDED:

1. Bless the following procedure for approving services, akathists and other individual liturgical texts to locally revered saints:

a) The liturgical text for a locally venerated saint, submitted for approval by a report addressed to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' by the Primate of the Self-Governing Church, Exarchate or Metropolitan District, or by the diocesan bishop, is sent for consideration to the Synodal Liturgical Commission or, accordingly, to the Working Group of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church Church on the codification of akathists and the development of norms for akathist creativity.

b) Upon consideration and, if necessary, editing of the text by the Synodal Liturgical Commission (Working Group of the Publishing Council), it is forwarded by the chairman of the Commission (Publishing Council) to the manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate.

c) The administrator of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate informs the Primate of the Self-Governing Church, the Exarchate or the Metropolitan District, or the diocesan bishop, about the approval of the liturgical text (or its edition) for local use and printing in local publications. At the same time, it is reported that in the case of a church-wide glorification of a saint, the church-wide use of the service must be confirmed by the Holy Synod.

2. Retain for the Holy Synod the approval of services, akathists and other individual liturgical texts for church-wide saints.

MAGAZINE No. 114

HAD A JUDGMENT about cases of violation of the established procedure for sending clergy of dioceses of the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church to the far abroad and their transfer to other Local Orthodox Churches.

Reference:

At a meeting of the Holy Synod on July 17-19, 2006, it was decided that the transfer of a cleric to another canonical jurisdiction is carried out on the proposal of the diocesan bishop with the approval of the Holy Synod and on the basis of a letter of release from His Holiness the Patriarch (journal No. 53).

In accordance with the circular letter of the Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate No. 01/2419 dated May 16, 2012, with the blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', a letter of release to a clergyman of the diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church (within the canonical territory) for transfer to the diocese of the Russian Church Abroad is issued by the diocesan bishop after receiving the Patriarchal blessing for this.

In accordance with the Internal Regulations on the Patriarchal Exarchate of Western Europe and on the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia (approved by the Holy Synod on February 26, 2021, journals No. 7 and No. 8), “the secondment of a cleric from a diocese of the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church to a diocese of the Exarchate is carried out by decision the Holy Synod, which also decides to end such a business trip; the transfer with the direction of the cleric’s letter of release from the diocese of the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church to the diocese of the Exarchate is carried out with the consent of the bishops of both dioceses and the written blessing of the Patriarch.” The same rules apply to other dioceses and parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church, subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate Office for Foreign Institutions.

In accordance with the Patriarchal and Synodal Charter on the restoration of the unity of the Archdiocese of Western European parishes of the Russian tradition with the Russian Orthodox Church dated November 3, 2019, the diocesan bishop of the Archdiocese has the exclusive right to accept clergy into the Archdiocese “taking into account the rules adopted in the Moscow Patriarchate for the transfer of clergy from the dioceses of its canonical territories in the diocese beyond its borders."

In accordance with the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church (Article 3 of Chapter I), its canonical territory consists of the following countries: Russian Federation, Ukraine, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Kazakhstan, People's Republic of China, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania , Mongolia, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, Republic of Estonia, Japan.

DECIDED:

1. Confirm the mandatory implementation of the previously established rules listed in the reference to this journal, excluding the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church from their application.

2. When issuing letters of leave to clergy or documents on the inclusion of clergy with the right to transfer to other dioceses, in cases where the Patriarchal or Synodal blessing was not received for the transfer of a clergy to another Local Church or to the Far Abroad, the Diocesan Bishops should use it in the texts of the mentioned documents the wording indicating the right to transfer to another diocese “within the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church.”

3. To ask His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, as well as the Primates of the Self-Governing Churches, the Belarusian Exarchate and the Metropolitan Districts, to draw the attention of the Eminences of the respective dioceses to the need to strictly observe the mentioned rules and to revoke previously issued letters of leave and other similar documents issued in violation of the established rules, listed in the reference to this journal.

4. Instruct the Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate to send instructions similar to those mentioned in paragraph 3 to the bishops of the dioceses of the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church that are not included in the territories of the Self-Governing Churches, the Belarusian Exarchate and the Metropolitan Districts.

5. To remind the Chairman of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad, the diocesan bishop of the Archdiocese of Western European parishes of the Russian tradition, the Patriarchal Exarchs of Western Europe and Southeast Asia, and other bishops serving in the far abroad, about the mentioned rules and ask them to strictly monitor the implementation of them, so that ungodly disorder is not introduced into the structure of church life in the far abroad, but so that everything is “decent and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40).

MAGAZINE No. 115

LISTENED TO:

Report by His Grace Metropolitan Dionysius of the Resurrection, Administrator of the Affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, on the difficulties arising in the legal registration of the activities of bishops appointed as temporary managers of dowager sees.

Reference:

According to the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church (IV.7.u): “Exercising his canonical authority, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' entrusts bishops with the temporary administration of dioceses in the event of a long-term illness, death or being under ecclesiastical court of diocesan bishops.” Moreover, in accordance with Article 20 of the standard charter of the diocese, used for the legal registration of dioceses on the territory of Russia: “The diocesan bishop (metropolitan, archbishop or bishop) is elected (removed from office) by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, receiving a decree from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'."

DECIDED:

1. In order to continuously carry out the economic activities of the dioceses, in the event of a long-term illness of death or being under the ecclesiastical court of the diocesan bishop, upon the appointment by Decree of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (in accordance with the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, IV.7.u) of a bishop temporarily managing given diocese, information about such bishop should be submitted for inclusion in the relevant state registers of legal entities.

2. Upon termination of the temporary management of the diocese on the basis of the Decree of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', information about the bishop temporarily managing the diocese should be submitted for exclusion from the relevant state registers of legal entities simultaneously with the entry into the registers of information about the diocesan bishop appointed in the prescribed manner.

MAGAZINE No. 116

LISTENED TO:

Report by Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, on the development of documents for the educational program for training ministers of the Russian Orthodox Church in the specialty “Iconographer”.

Reference:

The draft educational standard for the specialty “Iconographer”, prepared by a special working group under the Educational Committee, was discussed at the section of heads of iconography departments of religious educational institutions as part of the International Christmas Readings 2021 and 2021. Then, in 2021, the standard and accompanying documents were sent to members of the Supreme Church Council, whose recommendations were taken into account as much as possible when finalizing the documents.

DECIDED:

1. Approve the following documents:

• Church educational standard of the main educational program for training ministers of the Russian Orthodox Church, specialty “Icon painter”,
• Sample curriculum for training icon painters,
• Approximate calendar training schedule for the training of icon painters.

2. Approve the Schedule for testing and introducing the “Church educational standard of the main educational program for training ministers of the Russian Orthodox Church, specialty “Icon painter””, instructing the Educational Committee to ensure the implementation of the schedule.

MAGAZINE No. 117

LISTENED TO:

Report of His Grace Metropolitan Dionysius of the Resurrection, Chairman of the Commission for the Distribution of Graduates of Theological Educational Institutions, on the distribution of graduates in 2021.

Reference:

In accordance with paragraph 19 of the “Regulations on the procedure for the distribution of graduates of theological educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church,” the decision on the distribution of graduates is approved by the Holy Synod. According to the regulations for the procedure for the distribution of graduates, the chairman of the Commission presents the final report on the distribution of graduates at the winter session of the Holy Synod. Based on the results of distribution in 2021:

• 206 graduates of central educational institutions were sent to permanent service;
• entered the next educational level - 111 graduates;
• sent on a two-year business trip to dioceses with personnel shortages or to theological seminaries - 20 graduates.

DECIDED:

Please take note of the report.

MAGAZINE No. 118

LISTENED TO:

Report of His Grace Metropolitan Hilarion, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, on changes in the composition of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Syriac Orthodox Church.

Reference:

The Commission was established by the Holy Synod on July 29, 2021 (Journal No. 59). Bishop Flavian of Cherepovets and Belozersk, now banned from ministry, was appointed its co-chairman on the part of the Russian Orthodox Church (determined by the Holy Synod of December 8, 2020, journal No. 102).

DECIDED:

Appoint His Grace Bishop Theoktist of Pereslavl and Uglich as co-chairman of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Syriac Orthodox Church.

MAGAZINE No. 119

LISTENED TO:

Petition from His Grace Metropolitan Vadim of Yaroslavl and Rostov, accompanied by a report from Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, for the appointment of a rector of the Yaroslavl Theological Seminary.

DECIDED:

To appoint priest Oleg Ovcharov, senior teacher of the department of theology and church history of the mentioned seminary, as the rector of the Yaroslavl Theological Seminary.

MAGAZINE No. 120

LISTENED TO:

Petitions of the Right Reverends for the approval by their holy archimandrites of especially significant monasteries of the dioceses entrusted to them.

DECIDED:

1. To approve His Grace Metropolitan Savvaty of Cheboksary and Chuvashia as the holy archimandrite of the Holy Trinity Monastery in the city of Cheboksary.

2. To approve His Grace Metropolitan Savva of Vologda and Kirillov as the holy archimandrite of the Spaso-Prilutsky Dimitriev Monastery in the city of Vologda and the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery in the city of Kirillov, Vologda Region.

3. To approve His Grace Metropolitan Ignatius of Saratov and Volsky as the holy archimandrite of the St. Nicholas Monastery in the city of Saratov.

MAGAZINE No. 121

LISTENED TO:

Report by His Grace Archbishop Feognost of Kashira, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism, regarding the received petitions of the diocesan Right Reverends.

DECIDED:

1. In connection with the request of His Grace Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga Barsanuphius to appoint abbot Philaret (Pryashnikov) to the post of abbot of the St. Nicholas Monastery in the village of Staraya Ladoga, Volkhov district, Leningrad region.

2. In connection with the request of His Grace Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomysk to relieve Abbot Afanasy (Gritsenko) from the post of abbot of the monastery of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in the village of Tatarka, Shpakovsky district, Stavropol Territory.

3. In connection with the request of His Grace Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansiysk and Surgut to open a monastery in honor of St. Demetrius, Metropolitan of Rostov, of the city of Khanty-Mansiysk and to appoint Hieromonk Anthony (Kirpichev) to the position of abbot of this monastery.

4. In connection with the request of His Grace Metropolitan Isidor of Smolensk and Dorogobuzh to release Schema Abbess Mikhail (Korovina) from the post of Abbess of the St. Demetrius Convent of the city of Dorogobuzh, Smolensk region, and appoint nun Antonia (Egorova) to this position.

5. In connection with the request of His Grace Bishop Augustine of Gorodets and Vetluga to relieve Abbot Daniel (Gulko) from the post of abbot of the Gorodetsky Feodorovsky Monastery in the city of Gorodets, Nizhny Novgorod region, and appoint Hieromonk Jonah (Pestov) to this position.

6. In connection with the request of His Grace Bishop Boris of Kostomuksha and Kem to appoint Hieromonk Methodius (Vasilkov) to the position of abbot of the Kem Annunciation Monastery in the name of the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church of the city of Kemi, Republic of Karelia.

MAGAZINE No. 122

LISTENED TO:

Message from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' with a proposal to create a Church-wide Disciplinary Commission.

DECIDED:

1. For a more thorough study of offenses on the part of clergy, to establish, to assist the Holy Patriarch, the Holy Synod and the Supreme Church Court, an All-Church Disciplinary Commission under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', chaired by the manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate (ex officio) and with a composition approved by order of the Patriarch upon proposal Chairman of the Commission.

2. The Church-wide Disciplinary Commission shall be guided in its activities by written instructions and oral orders of the Patriarch.

MAGAZINE No. 123

HAD A JUDGMENT on calling the Right Reverends to attend the Holy Synod at the summer session (March-August) 2021.

DECIDED:

To participate in the 2021 summer session (March-August) of the Holy Synod, call the following Eminences: Metropolitan Eugene of Tallinn and All Estonia; Metropolitan Theodore of Volgograd and Kamyshin; Bishop of Lyskovsky and Lukoyanovsky Silouan; Bishop Nikanor of Minusinsk and Kuraginsk; Bishop Alexy of Nizhny Tagil and Nevyansk.

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