Holy Synod’s decisions on church external work

At its meeting on 5 March 2010 in St. Petersburg, chaired by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church made a number of decisions on the Church’s external work.

The Synod appointed Archbishop Justinian of Tiraspol and Dubossary as administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, vicar of the Moscow diocese, with the title of Bishop of Narofomisnk.

Having heard a report by Patriarch Kirill on his visit to Kiev for the inauguration of Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovich, the Synod pointed to the importance of the visit to so significant an event in the life of the country and resolved that prayer be lifted up that God’s help may be granted to the Ukrainian President in his public service.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, DECR chairman, made a report concerning Metropolitan Christopher of the Czech Lands and Slovakia’s stay in Russia during his private visit from January 24 to February 7, 2010, by agreement with Patriarch Kirill. On February 1, the Primate of the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia attended the enthronement of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The Synod thanked the Lord for the communion in prayer that took place between the primates of the two Local Orthodox Churches.

The Synod also heard and acknowledged a report by Metropolitan Hilarion on the Russian Orthodox Church delegation’s visit to France from February 28 to March 2, 2010. The participation of the delegation led by Metropolitan Hilarion in the launching of the Year of Russia in France and the Year of France in Russia and their meetings with French and Russian state officials as well as clergy and laity of the Moscow Patriarchate’s diocese of Korsun were deemed important. The Synod also considered it useful to maintain contacts with the Roman Catholic diocese of Paris with the aim to bear witness to holy Orthodoxy in the West and consolidate friendly relations between France and countries under the pastoral care of the Moscow Patriarchate.

After a report by Metropolitan Hilarion on the canonization of the Holy Martyr Philoumenos of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher by the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, the Synod resolved that the name of this saint be included in the Russian Orthodox calendar and his memory be celebrated on November 16/19 as established by the Church of Jerusalem. St. Philoumenos suffered martyrdom at the hands of heterodox fanatics on 29 November 1979, while serving at Jacob’s Well in Samaria. On August 29, 2008, on the eve of the consecration of the completed church of St. Photina the Samaritan Woman in the Greek monastery over
St.Jacob’s Well in Samaria, his relics were transferred in a solemn ceremony to Shechem.

Having heard the report of Metropolitan Hilarion on the bringing of the relics of St. John Chrysostom to New York, USA, the Synod praised the Lord for the opportunity He gave to the Orthodox believers in the USA to venerate this shrine. This event was noted as important for consolidating the spiritual unity of the Russian diaspora.

The Synod acknowledged the report by Metropolitan Hilarion on the plenary session of the Christian Inter-Confessional Advisory Committee of the CIS and the Baltic (CICAC) which took place on 4 February 2010 under the theme ‘Christian family – a minor church and the foundation of a healthy society’ and approved the result of the session.

The Synod approved the 2009 DECR work report submitted by the DECR chairman.

Having heard a report by Patriarch Kirill on dioceses and parishes abroad, the Synod assigned Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, DECR secretary for inter-Christian relations, to St. Nicholas’s Cathedral in New York and appointed him as representative of the World Russian People’s Council to the UN. Archpriest Alexander Abramov, who occupied these posts previously, was placed at the disposal of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia due to the expiration of his term.

Archpriest Mikhail Povalyaev of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, by agreement with Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine, was placed at the disposal of Archbishop Innokenty of Korsun for pastoral care of the Ukrainian Orthodox diaspora in Italy.

Archpriest Nikolay Kim was relieved of his duty as a cleric of the diocese of Hungary and placed at the disposal of the DECR chairman.

Archpriest Vladimir Makeyev was granted his request to relieve him of the duty of rector of the Parish of the Intercession in Sidney, Australia, and placed at the disposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. Rev. Alexander Filchakov was appointed as rector of this parish upon obtaining a letter of release from the Chairman of the Bishops’ Synod of the Russian Church Outside Russia, Metropolitan Hilarion, administrator of the ROCOR diocese of Australia and New Zealand.

Having heard a report by Metropolitan Hilarion on a request that came from Metropolitan Kosmas of Etolia and Akarnania (Greek Orthodox Church), the Synod authorized the move of Hierodeacon Vasily Maslenkov, a former novice of St. Daniel’s Monastery, to the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Church for service at the diocese of Etolia. An appropriate letter of release will be sent to Metropolitan Kosmas of Etolia and Akarnania.

DECR Communication Service