Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church

All-Russian Central Council in the 20th century

For the first time, a body called the Supreme Church Council was established by the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in December 1917 as an elected body within the highest church administration (the combined presence of which consisted of His Holiness the Patriarch, the Holy Synod and the Supreme Church Council). Three bishops from the Synod, one monk from the monastery monks, five clergy from the white clergy and six laymen sat on the Supreme Church Council. The election of Council members took place on December 8, 1917 - for a three-year term. Archimandrite Vissarion was elected from the monastics; from clergy from the white clergy - protopresbyters Georgy Shavelsky and Nikolai Lyubimov, archpriests Alexander Sankovsky, Alexy Stanislavsky and psalmist Alexander Kulyashev; from the laity - professors S. N. Bulgakov, I. M. Gromoglasov, P. D. Lapin, Prince E. N. Trubetskoy, as well as A. V. Kartashev and S. M. Raevsky. Their deputies were also elected, who were supposed to replace those who were unable to participate in meetings or retired members: Archimandrite Alexy (Zhitetsky), Archpriests Peter Mirtov, Pavel Lakhostsky, Pavel Sokolov, Konstantin Ageev and priest Sergius Verkhovsky, as well as Professor P.P. Kudryavtsev, I. I. Sokolov, L. I. Pisarev, Prince G. N. Trubetskoy, P. I. Astrov. From among the bishops, the members of the Council were not elected by the Council, but were delegated by the Holy Synod from among its members.

In 1921, the term of office of the members of the All-Russian Central Council, as well as the members of the Holy Synod, expired, but the patriarch continued to convene meetings of both the Holy Synod and the Supreme Church Council. After the arrest of Patriarch Tikhon on May 9, 1922, the All-Russian Central Council was not convened, although an attempt to resume the activities of the Council was made in 1924.

All-Russian Central Council in the 21st century

In its modern form, it was formed in 2011, after the Council of Bishops supported the proposal to transform the meeting of heads of Synodal institutions into the Supreme Church Council.

On March 1, 2021, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev), addressing Patriarch Kirill, said:

At meetings of the Supreme Church Council, the first collegial discussion and editing of many documents take place, which are then subject to consideration by the Holy Synod. Since 2013, the Supreme Church Council has systematically monitored the implementation of conciliar or synodal decisions that presuppose the specific work of a particular synodal institution[3].

As Bishop Anthony (Sevryuk) noted: “this is a very important instrument of church governance. Before certain issues are presented for consideration and approval by the Holy Synod, they are often discussed at the All-Russian Central Council. At each meeting, we work with documents of general church significance and discuss a variety of initiatives and projects. The agenda is very diverse. I think, first of all, one of the main advantages of the All-Russian Central Council is that the work there takes place in an amazingly interesting collegial spirit, when all of us, the leaders of the Synodal institutions, have the opportunity to directly exchange opinions with each other and personally with His Holiness the Patriarch. His Holiness the Patriarch himself actively takes part in all discussions. And very often, it is in the mode of such a lively discussion that decisions are born, which are then embodied at various levels of church life. The work is extremely intensive, sometimes meetings last until the evening.”[4].

On December 25, 2021, a joint meeting of the Holy Synod and the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church was held in the Red Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow[5].

Magazine "Guest", No. 1 (88) 2021 p. 50-53

“For lack of guidance a people perishes, but with many counselors it prospers” (Prov. 11:14).

Evangelical Christian Baptist churches typically have ecclesiastical or fraternal councils. The question may arise: where did these councils come from, do they have evangelical origins? Are we doing the right thing when we discuss issues of church life at the church council and prepare proposals for the entire church membership?

Origin of the church council

You can trace the origin of advice from Old Testament times, as well as from the practice of the apostolic churches. Let us remember how Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, visited him and saw how difficult it was for Moses to sort out the numerous questions and needs of the people from morning to evening. He told him: “You are not doing this well. You will exhaust both yourself and this people who are with you, for this task is too difficult for you: you alone cannot do it. So listen to my words; I will give you advice... look out from all the people for capable people, fearing God, truthful, hating self-interest, and appoint them over them as commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties and commanders of tens. Let them judge the people at all times and report to you about every important matter, and judge all small matters themselves; and it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you” (Ex. 18:17-22). This is how a council appeared among the people of Israel. After the Babylonian captivity it became known as the Sanhedrin.

How did councils appear in the Christian church? It is written that when an important and painful question regarding the law in the church had to be resolved, “the apostles and elders met together to consider the matter” (Acts 15:6). This is how people were identified who could gather together, consult and resolve church issues. Further, the apostolic epistles testify: “And He appointed some apostles, others prophets, others evangelists, others shepherds and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12). Apostles, prophets, and when they were gone, evangelists, pastors and teachers began to form the group of people who led the church and gathered to consider church issues. This is how church councils arose. Therefore, we can consider that such a council should be in every church. And if the church council functions correctly, interacts correctly with the church, then this will contribute to the structure of the church and the spiritual growth of its members.

Responsibilities of the Church Council

The church council is called upon, together with the elder, to bear the burden of serving in the church. It is not the presbyter alone who must do everything and be responsible for everything, but work together with the fraternal council, which, as the judges and elders once helped Moses, can provide him with their help and assistance. In the book of Acts we read how the elders helped James, the first elder of the Jerusalem church, and he, having heard all the opinions, spoke the final word (Acts 15:13). The church council assists the elder, but the elder is primarily responsible for the church. Today, many churches in the West have three elders, but no one has specific responsibility. But the Bible doesn't teach that. Moses had many elders and advisors, but he continued to have primary responsibility for his people.

The urgent and current problems of the church can be resolved more quickly and better with the presence of advice. There must be ministers who are wise in the experience of life and know the Word of God. When a murmur arose in the Jerusalem church, the apostles did not begin to solve the problem of material support themselves; They elected other ministers for this purpose - deacons, entrusting them with responsibility for the material needs of church members, and leaving themselves the ministry of the word (Acts 6:1-7). In this way, they distributed the church work and assigned responsibilities. All this contributed to the growth and well-being of the church.

Practice shows that it is wrong to bring issues that arise in the church to general discussion without preparation. These questions need to be prepared for discussion and approval in the church. To do this, you need to visit someone, talk with someone, find out something, so that the issue that has arisen can be correctly illuminated and brought up for discussion by the entire church. The church council must tell the church: there is such a problem, and we propose to solve it in such and such a way. Then the membership meeting will be properly informed and able to make the right decision. We can say that the church council predetermines, and the church decides and approves.

Composition of the church council

What should be the quantitative composition of the church council? When a church has two or three hundred members, then one council member may be elected from twenty-five to thirty members. It turns out to be about ten to twelve people. Practice shows that this is the optimal composition for a church council. If there is less, then it becomes difficult to cover all the necessary work, and if there is more, the advice becomes too cumbersome to work productively. Of course, if the church is smaller in number, then the council must be smaller. Therefore, the quantitative composition of the church council must be determined according to the size of the church and its needs.

Who should be on the church council? There is no need to elect a council of brothers of the same age; There should be older, middle-aged and young brothers on the council. If there are only old people on the board, they may not understand the needs of young people; If there are only young people on the council, they may turn in the wrong direction. Therefore, experienced and young brothers are needed together. The Apostle Paul preached the gospel with colleagues who were younger than him; the Apostle Peter had the young and fragile Mark nearby.

In past times, horses were used to plow the field, and at the same time an experienced, knowledgeable horse was harnessed together with a young one so that he could learn from the old one. So sometimes it is necessary to “break in” young workers who still have little experience and show jealousy beyond reason. Therefore, it is necessary that young and old brothers work together, so that the young adopt the doctrine and practices of the church.

Requirements for church council members

Church council members must have sound, strong spiritual views. They are called upon to educate, guide, and lead. And if someone has “liberal” or vague views, this will not benefit the church.

Church council members must be like-minded. They must have similar views on the work of God, on the ministry of the church and its structure.

Church council members must be God-fearing and blameless. David said: “My eyes are on the faithful of the land, that they may remain with me; He who walks in the way of integrity will serve me” (Ps. 100:6). This is how David chose the people who were his advisers, his entourage. This condition is also true for the church council.

Board members must have certain abilities. The Apostle Paul advised Timothy: “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).

The church council must include an elder. Also, if the church has a deputy or assistant elder, then he must also be on the council. He manages the case when the elder is absent for various reasons. He must be a responsible and reliable brother, on whom the elder can rely.

A member of the council may be a former elder of the church, or elders who previously served in other churches.

If a large church has several choirs - main choir, youth choir, children's choir - then the responsible choir director should be a member of the church council.

If the church has a chairman of the executive body or a person responsible for administrative and economic issues, for relations with authorities, he should also be on the council.

There may also be a youth leader on the church council. In a large church there are fifty or a hundred youth members - that's a whole church. It is beneficial for the illumination and direction of youth life that its leader should be with the brothers. In addition, youth leaders often become assistant elders and later become elders. Serving on the church council enriches them with experience in conducting church work.

The brother responsible for children's work can also be a member of the church council. This is especially true in cases where there are several hundred children in a large church and several Sunday School classes. Then membership in the council helps to convey the problems of children's ministry to the church leadership, and also allows timely corrections to be made in children's work if something has gone wrong.

It is not necessary that all ordained brothers in a large church be members of the council. If a church has ten or more deacons, only a few of them can be members of the council.

There is no need to introduce newly converted brothers into the council. Council members must have some personal and church spiritual experience.

Under no circumstances should brothers who are quarrelsome, hot-tempered, hot-tempered, stubborn, or touchy be elected to the council. People with such characters have no business being on the church council. During council discussions, there are problems and differences of opinion. In order to come to a common opinion, you need to have a self-possessed, calm, peaceful character.

Board members must be able to keep the issues under discussion private. Have a good testimony from the church and from outsiders. Have, if possible, an exemplary family.

Replenishment of the church council and withdrawal from it

When replenishing the church council, it is not advisable to immediately add a large number of new brothers. It is better to add one or two brothers so as not to upset the balance in the church council, so that misunderstanding and tension do not arise.

How is withdrawal from the church council carried out? There is a way out of your own free will. The reason for such an exit may be old age, health, or the understanding that new, more capable brothers have grown up.

When an elder leaves the ministry, he can resign from the council so as not to be an obstacle to the new elder. But he can remain if he has earned authority, if he has wisely conducted the work of God. Then his presence will be very useful for the church council.

Removal from the church council can be due to the fact that a brother left his ministry or transferred responsibility: he was the responsible regent and was on the council, but then another brother became the responsible regent and now he took a place on the council.

There is also a forced withdrawal from the council. This happens due to a sin committed or serious problems in the family. Sometimes you need to remove a brother who has an uncooperative character and constantly creates differences of opinion. Sometimes the question of withdrawal is raised because a brother has acquired liberal views and makes proposals that confuse and divide the church.

How is the issue of withdrawal resolved? First, this is discussed at the church council, and then the whole church is informed. The brothers say: you cannot be on the council, because because of you, problems arise at every discussion. This decision needs to be voted on, and then brought to the church so that the church can approve the decision.

Behavior in the fraternal council

Church council members should, whenever possible, regularly attend council meetings and participate in discussions. They were chosen by the church, entrusted to them, and they must responsibly discuss all problems that arise. Each council member has the right to express his opinion. The elder of the church wants to know what the brothers think about this or that issue in order to outline the right decision. He can convince everyone that his opinion is correct, or maybe, after listening to his brothers, he can admit that they are right on some issue. That is, there must be a discussion; it is no coincidence that this body in the church is called a “council”.

A church council member must be able to give in and join in with other opinions. If most of the brothers think alike and their arguments are convincing, then you need to give in and support the common decision.

When discussing issues, you should under no circumstances attack each other or hurt each other. You cannot interrupt another brother until he expresses his opinion. If the question is difficult, it is better for the elder to ask the opinion of each member of the council, from the youngest to the most senior. The presbyter usually speaks last, his assistant second to last. That is, it would be correct to listen to all opinions, and then draw a conclusion on how to resolve this issue.

Council members, as God's servants, are called to promote a healthy work environment within the church council. It is not good to be a mere observer, but efforts should be made to ensure that issues, even the most difficult ones, are discussed peacefully, with an understanding of responsibility. You need to be ready to hear some remark, to correct something in your work. Humility and responsibility are indispensable qualities of a church council member.

Order of the church council

Meetings of the fraternal council should not be held too often, regarding every small problem that arises. This may result in loss of responsibility. At the same time, church council should be held regularly.

During the council meeting, you must strictly adhere to the established time. There is no point in talking about anything; If there are too many questions, then it’s better to leave some for next time.

Church council meetings should be opened with reading the Word of God and prayer; the church council must be concluded in the same way. If during the meeting there were differences of opinion, if somewhere they did not agree on opinions, then you need to remember two passages of Scripture: “And when you stand in prayer, forgive, if you have anything against anyone” (Mark 11:25); “So if you are bringing your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go first and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matt. 5:23-24). Therefore, if there were problems during the church council, then you need to resolve them, reconcile and pray together so that everyone can come home with a lighter soul.

The presbyter must write down the agenda of the church council and the decisions made so that nothing is forgotten, and so that no one can then say: “We didn’t talk about this, we didn’t decide this.” Particularly important issues can be included in the minutes, indicating the date of the decision.

Meetings of the church council are conducted by the elder of the church. There may be an exception: the presbyter is ill or has left, or the church council is meeting on the issue of the presbyter, then the meeting will be without him. The presbyter must think in advance about all the issues that will be resolved; he must have his own opinion. If he does not know the solution, he can consult with his assistant, with experienced brothers, in order to develop some kind of general direction in resolving the issue.

The presbyter must strive to ensure that at the conclusion of the council everyone comes to a common opinion. If it was not possible to reach a common opinion, then he must say: “Let’s, brothers, put this question aside for next time. Let’s pray, think, and then return to the discussion again.”

If there is some serious problem, then it is better not to sort it out before the Lord’s Supper, and not to have difficult membership meetings before the Supper.

The elder should not bring to the membership meeting those issues that were not discussed at the church council, or about which the church council did not come to a common decision. This can upset the church and bring division and sickness. Likewise, such questions should not be raised by members of the church council.

Church council and church

We must remember: the church council exists only for the reason that there is a church. The Church is superior to the Church Council. The church approves the church council, and the church council must earn and maintain the trust of the church. Therefore, the church council has no right to make proposals that will confuse and upset the church. The church council must be unanimous and friendly, otherwise it can divide the church. When a church council finds itself divided on clothing, music, television, and other issues, it tears the church apart. Christ says that such a house will not stand.

During the membership meeting, the church council must support the elder. The brothers must show that they are of one mind and of one mind. It is good when council members sit next to each other at a membership meeting. The unity of the church council promotes the unity of the entire church.

May the Lord grant that church councils will always be obedient to the Lord, guide the churches correctly, and be a blessing to the churches!

Abram FAST

Leader of the Brotherhood of Christian Churches in Germany in 1993-2009.

Current members of the Supreme Church Council

1. Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' - Kirill, chairman
2. The first vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for the city of Moscow is Dionysius (Porubai), Metropolitan of Resurrection;

Heads of structural divisions of the Moscow Patriarchate

1. The head of the administrative secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate is Thomas (Mosolov), Bishop of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk;
2. The manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate is Dionysius (Porubai), Metropolitan of the Resurrection;
3. Chairman of the financial and economic management of the Moscow Patriarchate - Ilia (Rudnev), archimandrite;
4. Head of the Department for Foreign Institutions of the Moscow Patriarchate - Anthony (Sevryuk), Metropolitan of Korsun and Western Europe;
5. The head of the legal department of the Moscow Patriarchate is Ksenia (Chernega), abbess.

Heads of Synodal Departments

1. Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate - Hilarion (Alfeev), Metropolitan of Volokolamsk;
2. Chairman of the Synodal Department of Religious Education and Catechesis - Evgeniy (Kulberg), Metropolitan of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye;
3. Chairman of the Synodal Missionary Department - John (Popov), Metropolitan of Belgorod and Stary Oskol;
4. Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service - Panteleimon (Shatov), ​​Bishop of Vereisky;
5. Chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs - Seraphim (Amelchenkov), Bishop of Istra;
6. Chairman of the Synodal Department for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies - Savvaty (Zagrebelny), Bishop of Bronnitsky;
7. Chairman of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry - Irinarh (Grezin), Bishop of Ramensky;
8. Chairman of the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism - Feognost (Guzikov), Archbishop of Kashira;
9. Chairman of the Synodal Department for Relations of the Church with Society and the Media - Vladimir Legoyda;

Heads of Committees and Councils

1. Chairman of the educational committee of the Russian Orthodox Church - Maxim Kozlov, archpriest;
2. Chairman of the Synodal Committee for Interaction with the Cossacks - Kirill (Pokrovsky), Metropolitan of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk;
3. Chairman of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church - Clement (Kapalin), Metropolitan of Kaluga and Borovsk;
4. Chairman of the Patriarchal Council for Culture - Tikhon (Shevkunov), Metropolitan of Pskov and Porkhov;

Heads of the Patriarchal Commissions

1. Chairman of the Patriarchal Commission on Family Issues and Protection of Motherhood - Feodor Lukyanov, priest;
2. The Chairman of the Patriarchal Commission on Physical Culture and Sports is Mitrofan (Badanin), Metropolitan of Murmansk and Monchegorsk.

Notes

1. Regulations on the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. Patriarchia.Ru.
2. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Church Council in 2021 / News / Patriarchy.ru
3. Internal life and external activities of the Russian Orthodox Church from 2009 to 2021 / Articles / Patriarchy.ru
4. “Current interview” with Bishop Anthony of Zvenigorod | Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media
5. A regular meeting of the Commission for the Affairs of Old Believer Parishes and for Interaction with the Old Believers took place / News / Patriarchy.ru

Russian Orthodox Church

1. The Supreme Church Council is the executive body of the Russian Orthodox Church, operating under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod. During the interpatriarchal period, the Supreme Church Council operates under the Locum Tenens and the Holy Synod.

2. The Supreme Church Council is subordinate and accountable to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens) and the Holy Synod.

3. The Supreme Church Council considers:

a) issues of theological education, enlightenment, mission, church social service, information activities of canonical divisions of the Russian Orthodox Church and church media;

b) issues of relations between the Church and the state, society, Local Orthodox Churches, heterodox confessions and non-Christian religions;

c) issues of church administration and management;

d) other issues submitted to the Supreme Church Council for consideration by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens).

4. The tasks of the Supreme Church Council include:

a) coordination of the activities of synodal and other church-wide institutions;

b) discussion of current issues of church life that require coordinated action on the part of synodal and other church-wide institutions;

c) taking measures to implement the decisions of Local and Bishops' Councils, decrees and determinations of the Holy Synod, decrees and orders of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens).

5. Supreme Church Council:

a) hears reports from leaders or representatives of synodal and other church-wide institutions on the activities of these institutions;

b) within the limits of its competence, gives instructions to the synodal institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church and controls their implementation;

c) makes proposals for consideration by the Holy Synod or the Inter-Council Presence.

6. The Supreme Church Council consists of the chairman - the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens), ex-officio members of the Supreme Church Council, as well as members appointed by the Holy Synod in the manner established by the Regulations on the Supreme Church Council.

7. The ex-officio members of the Supreme Church Council are the heads of the synodal institutions listed in Article 6 of Chapter VIII of this Charter. If they leave their position, they cease to be members of the Supreme Church Council.

8. The Holy Synod may, upon the recommendation of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', appoint members of the Supreme Church Council from among the heads of divisions of the Moscow Patriarchate, synodal or other church-wide institutions. Members of the Supreme Church Council appointed by the Holy Synod may be removed from the Supreme Church Council on the basis of a determination of the Holy Synod upon the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens).

9. The procedure for the activities of the Supreme Church Council is determined by the Regulations on the Supreme Church Council, approved by the Holy Synod.