The meetings of the Consecrated Bishops' Council were held under the chairmanship of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill (Gundyaev) in the hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. 280 bishops took part in the work of the Council. Church hierarchs from 247 dioceses of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Estonia, as well as dioceses located in the far abroad arrived at the Council.
On the first day of the meetings of the Council, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill read out a report on various aspects within church life, church-state and church-public relations throughout the canonical space of the Russian Orthodox Church. The report touched upon, in particular, issues related to the formation of new dioceses and the creation of metropolises.
The Patriarch noted that in order to fulfill the task set at the Bishops' Council in 2011 to open new parishes, Rev. Synod in May 2011 initiated historical process education within the republics and regions Russian Federation several dioceses. Previously, this took place in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and in the Belarusian Exarchate. However, the speaker stressed, in Russia these transformations should be more ambitious. Over the past 2 years, 64 new dioceses have been established on the territory of the same subjects of the Russian Federation. In total, 82 dioceses were formed during this time. Since the Local Council of 2009, 88 new dioceses have been formed. There are currently 247 dioceses in total. In addition, by the decision of St. Synod dated July 27, 2011, a new metropolitan district was formed - Central Asian. Oct. 2011 Priest The Synod made an important adjustment to the process of disaggregating the dioceses: the dioceses located within the same subject of the Russian Federation began to unite into metropolises. During the inter-council period, 33 metropolises were created.
The Primate said that in order to simplify and reduce the cost of building new churches, the Cathedral instructed the Financial and Economic Department to develop projects for quickly erected and inexpensive churches. In present At the same time, 7 standard projects of churches with a capacity of 200 to 500 parishioners were developed. After acquiring ownership of the developed design and estimate documentation, it can be used in all dioceses with revision, where necessary.
Further, Patriarch Kirill dwelled on issues related to the life of dioceses and parishes in countries outside the canonical territories of the existing Local Orthodox Churches, as well as on the representations of the Moscow Patriarchate on the territory of other Autocephalous Churches. According to rough estimates, the total number of Russian-speaking Orthodox. The diaspora in the world today is about 30 million people, and a significant part of it is the flock of the Russian Orthodox Church. In present At present, there are 829 parishes and 52 monasteries of the Moscow Patriarchate in 57 far-abroad countries, including 409 parishes and 39 mon- rays within the Russian Church Abroad. The primate stressed that in 2011-2012. new temples were built and consecrated in Thailand, the community in Singapore was strengthened, parishes were opened in Malaysia and Cambodia. There is an acute question about the construction of the Orthodox Church. temple in India. Several successful major projects: the restoration of the temple and the premises of the House of the Pilgrim of the Russian Orthodox Church in Bari, at the relics of St. Nicholas of Myra, the construction of the first Russian orthodox church is almost completed. a temple on the Arabian Peninsula in the United Arab Emirates, the construction of a temple in Madrid is in full swing; in France, a temple in Nice has been returned to Russia, where the priest now serves. Korsun diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. Active preparations are being made for the construction of a Russian spiritual and cultural center in Paris on the Quai Branly. An important event was the receipt by the Vienna diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church ofic. status in Austria.
Five years have passed since the signing of the “Act on Canonical Communion between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia”. Over the past period, trust has been strengthened between people, mutual assistance of communities has been established. However, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill noted with regret that the problem of the existence of parishes that did not accept the canonical unification of the ROC, in particular in Lat, continues to be a painful one. America.
Then the Primate touched upon issues related to the financial and economic activities of the Church.
Patriarch Kirill also said that during the inter-conciliar period, the hierarchal brotherhood has increased by 75 bishops, and today 290 diocesan and vicar bishops serve in the ROC, of which 225 are ruling. In total, since the Local Council of 2009, 108 ordinations have been performed, 88 of them with the participation of the Patriarch.
The speaker dwelled in some detail on the analysis of various topics related to spiritual education. The assessment of missionary, youth and social service Rus. Churches for last years. In addition, the Patriarch touched upon the issues of the information activities of the Church, its dialogue with society and the state, and also shared his vision of the inter-Orthodox. and interchrist. relations, interaction with representatives of other religions.
The members of the Council heard a report by Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan) of Kyiv and All Ukraine, in which he gave an assessment of the current state of canonical Orthodoxy within Ukraine.
In the following days, the members of the Council of Bishops adopted a number of documents proposed for consideration by the Inter-Council Presence: “Regulations on the election of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia”, “Regulations on the composition of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church”, “The position of the Church in connection with the development of technologies for recording and processing personal data”, “The position of the Russian Orthodox Church on the reform of family law and problems of juvenile justice”, “The position of the Russian Orthodox Church on topical issues ecology". A new version of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church was approved, taking into account the amendments made to it. The Council of Bishops also decided to glorify St. Dalmat (Mokrinsky), previously canonized as locally venerated saints of the Kurgan diocese. One of the important documents adopted by the Council was the Regulation on material and social support for clergy, clergy and workers of religious organizations of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as members of their families. The Council adopted the Regulations on the awards of the Russian Orthodox Church, which streamlines the system of general church and liturgical awards Rus. Churches founded at different times. The members of the Council unanimously approved for a new term the current composition of the General Church Court. In conclusion, the Council of Bishops adopted resolutions and addressed a message to the clergy, monastics and laity of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Lit.: Kirill (Gundyaev), Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. Report at the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church on February 2. 2013 // ZhMP. 2013. No. 3. S. 12-45; Cathedral Mind of the Church // ZhMP. 2013. No. 3. P. 10; Decrees of the Consecrated Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church February 2-5. 2013 // ZhMP. 2013. No. 4. P. 8–18; The position of the Russian Orthodox Church on the reform of family law and problems of juvenile justice // ZhMP. 2013. No. 5. P. 8–11; Varsonofy (Sudakov), Met. What has changed in the Charter: From the report on the draft amendments and additions to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church "On the adoption of a new edition of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church" // ZhMP. 2013. No. 6. P. 7; Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church as amended in 2013 // ZhMP. 2013. No. 6. P. 38–49.
The document was adopted at the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church on November 29 - December 2, 2017.
Taking into account the special status of the broad autonomy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the leading center of which is in Kiev, the Holy Synod submitted to the Council of Bishops a proposal received from His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine to single out as an independent chapter the provisions of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church (hereinafter referred to as the Charter) concerning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the leading center of which is located in Kiev.
In addition, during the inter-conciliar period, the Holy Synod approved a number of changes in the procedure for the canonization of ascetics of piety as locally venerated saints and in the procedure for their further general church glorification (Journal No. 66 of July 15, 2016), which requires reflection in the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Holy Synod formed new structures of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (magazine No. 99 of October 21, 2016 and magazine No. 116 of December 27, 2016). It is necessary to provide for their representation at Local Councils.
Taking into account the regulations described in the Regulations on monasteries and monasticism approved by the Council of Bishops, adjustments should be made to the procedure for managing monastic farmsteads mentioned in the Charter.
In addition, it is proposed to amend the Charter, excluding the transfer to the Patriarchal Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal prerogative to award bishops with awards of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Finally, in connection with the appeal received from the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus and the Synod of the Belarusian Exarchate, the Holy Synod presented to the Council of Bishops proposals for amending the Regulations on the Court of the Russian Orthodox Church.
In view of the foregoing, the Consecrated Bishops' Council decides:
I. Make the following changes to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church:
1. Include in the Charter after Chapter IX new chapter as follows, with the subsequent chapters renumbered:
"Chapter X. Ukrainian Orthodox Church
1. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is self-governing with the rights of broad autonomy.
2. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church was granted independence and autonomy in its administration in accordance with the Determination of the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church on October 25-27, 1990 "On the Ukrainian Orthodox Church".
3. In its life and activities, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is guided by the Determination of the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church of 1990 "On the Ukrainian Orthodox Church", the Diploma of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' of 1990 and the Charter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is approved by its Primate and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
4. The organs of ecclesiastical authority and administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are its Council and Synod, headed by its Primate, bearing the title of "His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine." The control center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is located in the city of Kyiv.
5. The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is elected by the episcopate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and is blessed by His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
6. The name of the Primate is commemorated in all churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
7. Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are elected by its Synod.
8. The decision to form or abolish the dioceses that are part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and to determine their territorial boundaries, is taken by its Synod with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.
9. Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are members of the Local and Bishops' Councils and participate in their work in accordance with Sections II and III of this Statute and in the meetings of the Holy Synod.
10. Decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils are binding on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
11. Decisions of the Holy Synod are valid in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, taking into account the specifics determined by the independent nature of its administration.
12. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has its own highest ecclesiastical-judicial authority. At the same time, the court of the Council of Bishops is the ecclesiastical court of the highest instance for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, such canonical bans as a life-long ban on priestly service, defrocking, excommunication, are imposed by the diocesan bishop with subsequent approval by the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine and the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
13. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church receives holy chrism from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.”
2. Delete Article 18 from Chapter XI of the Charter.
3. To state paragraph e) of Article 5 of Chapter III (“Council of Bishops”) of the Charter in the following wording: “e) the canonization of saints and the general church glorification of locally venerated saints”;
4. To introduce into Article 25 of Chapter V of the Charter (“Holy Synod”) a paragraph with the following content: “t) canonization of locally venerated saints and submission of the issue of their general church glorification for consideration by the Council of Bishops”;
5. State paragraph c) of Article 15 of Chapter IV of the Charter as follows: "c) The Locum Tenens shall act as the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' as they are set out in Article 7 of Chapter IV of this Charter, except for paragraphs c, h and e."
6. Supplement Article 4 of Chapter IX (“Church Court”) by rewording it as follows:
“Court in the Russian Orthodox Church is carried out by ecclesiastical courts of the following instances:
a) diocesan courts having jurisdiction within their dioceses;
b) the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical courts in the said parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) - with jurisdiction within the respective parts of the Russian Orthodox Church;
c) the highest general church court, with jurisdiction within the Russian Orthodox Church, with the exception of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church;
d) the court of the Council of Bishops, with jurisdiction within the entire Russian Orthodox Church.”
7. In all articles of the Charter, where the "General Church Court" is mentioned, change its name to the "Supreme General Church Court."
8. To state Article 9 of Chapter XVII (“Monasteries”) of the Charter in the following wording:
“Monasteries can have courtyards. The community is called the community of Orthodox Christians, which is under the jurisdiction of the monastery and located outside it. The activity of the farmstead is regulated by the charter of the monastery to which this farmstead belongs, and by its own civil charter. The metochion in the church-hierarchical (canonical) order is subordinate to the diocesan bishop of the diocese on whose territory it is located, and in the economic order - to the same bishop as the monastery. If the metochion is located on the territory of another diocese, then during the service in the church of the metochion both the name of the diocesan bishop and the name of the bishop in whose diocese the compound is located are raised.
II. Make the following changes to the Regulations on the Church Court of the Russian Orthodox Church:
1. In all articles of the Regulations on the Church Court, where the “General Church Court” is mentioned, change its name to the “Supreme General Church Court”.
2. Supplement the third paragraph of paragraph 2 of Article 1 of the Regulations on the Church Court, setting it out in the following wording:
"2. The judicial system of the Russian Orthodox Church includes the following ecclesiastical courts:
- diocesan courts with jurisdiction within their respective dioceses;
- the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical courts in the said parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) - with jurisdiction within the respective parts of the Russian Orthodox Church;
- the Supreme General Church Court - with jurisdiction within the Russian Orthodox Church, with the exception of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church;
- Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church - with jurisdiction within the entire Russian Orthodox Church.
3. Supplement paragraph 2 of Article 31 of the Regulations on the Church Court, stating it as follows:
"2. The Council of Bishops considers, as an ecclesiastical court of second instance, cases against bishops:
- considered by the General Church Court of First Instance and sent by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' or the Holy Synod to the consideration of the Council of Bishops for a final decision;
- on appeals of bishops against the decisions of the Supreme Church Court of First Instance and the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches that have entered into legal force.
The Holy Synod or the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' has the right to send for consideration by the Council of Bishops other cases that are within the jurisdiction of lower church courts, if these cases require an authoritative judicial-conciliar decision.
4. State paragraph 2 of Article 28 of the Regulations on the Church Court in the following wording:
“The Supreme General Church Court considers, as an appellate instance, in the manner prescribed by Chapter 6 of this Regulation, cases:
- reviewed by diocesan courts and sent by diocesan bishops to the Supreme General Church Court for final resolution;
- on appeals of the parties against decisions of diocesan courts;
- considered by the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical courts in the said parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) and transferred by the primates of the respective parts of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Supreme General Church Court;
- on appeals of the parties against decisions of the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical courts in the said parts of the Russian Orthodox Church).
This article does not apply to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
5. Delete paragraph 6 of Article 50 of the Regulations on the Church Court.
6. Supplement Chapter 6 of the Regulations on the Church Court with a new article with the following content, with a shift in the numbering of subsequent articles:
“Consideration of cases in separate higher ecclesiastical-judicial instances.
1. Appeals against decisions of diocesan courts of the dioceses of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts shall be sent to the highest ecclesiastical courts of the indicated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church (if such higher ecclesiastical courts exist).
2. The Higher General Church Court considers appeals against decisions taken both in the first hearing and on appeal by the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts.
3. This article does not apply to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
III. To state paragraph 15 of Article 2 of the Regulations on the composition of the Local Council in the following wording:
“Two delegates each - one cleric and one layman:
- from the Patriarchal parishes in the USA,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in Canada,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in Italy,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in Finland,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in Turkmenistan,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in the Republic of Armenia,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in the Kingdom of Thailand and the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Southeast and East Asia.
The elected delegates are approved by the Patriarch (during the locum tenure, by the Holy Synod).
Church institutions in the far abroad that are not part of the dioceses or parish associations listed in this article are represented at the Local Council by the head of the Office for Institutions Abroad.”
During February 2 and 3 of this year, another Bishops' Council of the Russian Church was held in Moscow. It was an important event in religious life countries. But before dwelling on the issues that were subject to its consideration, it makes sense to clarify what this body of church authority is and what its history is.
Successors of the Holy Apostles
The practice of convening church councils goes back to New Testament times, when in 49 (according to other sources in 51) a council was held in Jerusalem, at which the apostles discussed the most important question - is circumcision necessary for the acquisition of eternal life. It was on it that a decree was passed, freeing all those who were baptized from the need to comply with most of the Jewish laws and the ritual rituals prescribed by them.
In subsequent years, church councils entered into widespread practice and were regularly convened. At the same time, they were divided into two categories - Local, that is, held within the framework of one local church, and Ecumenical, one name of which indicates that representatives of churches from all over the Christian world took part in it.
Features of Local Councils
The history of past times was entered mainly by the names of the cities in which they were held, the local churches that became their organizers, the states on whose territory they were convened, as well as religious denominations who solved their questions on them.
Representatives of not only a wide range of clergy - from bishops to clerics of the lower levels, but also deputations of the laity who lived in these territories took part in the work of the Local Councils. They discussed various issues related not only to dogma, but also to the structure of church life, as well as to its management.
Forums of the higher clergy
In contrast to them, the participants in the Council of Bishops are exclusively bishops who are convened to make decisions on the most important internal church issues. It is important to note that the division of church councils into Local and Bishops was established only in the synodal period. Previously, all major decisions related to the life of the church were made by its primate alone.
Today, the Council of Bishops is the supreme governing body of both the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian, which is part of the Moscow Patriarchate. Its status was determined by the decisions of the Local Council, held in 1945. At the same time, the term appeared, which became its designation.
Previous Council of Archpastors
The meeting of the archpastors, which took place in February of this year in Moscow, was preceded by only one council (Bishops), held in 1961 in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. An interesting detail is that none of its participants was warned in advance that they would have to participate in such a representative forum. At that time, everyone received only invitations to celebrate the memory of its founder, and already upon arrival they learned about true purpose call. This Council (Bishops) of 1961 was held at the height of Khrushchev's anti-religious campaign, and such a conspiracy was by no means superfluous.
Newly completed cathedral
So, the current Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church is the second in a row. It was preceded by Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, performed by Archpriest Mikhail (Ryazantsev). Together with Patriarch Kirill, all the delegates who arrived at this largest church forum in recent years from all over the country and from abroad took part in it.
As can be seen from his published documents, as well as from the speeches of the participants in the press conference organized after the completion of the work, the main issue was the preparation for the Pan-Orthodox (Ecumenical) Council scheduled for the near future, the venue of which was to be the island of Crete.
Members of the Council and its Presidium
The composition of the Bishops' Council was very numerous. Suffice it to say that it included three hundred and fifty-four archpastors, representing the two hundred and ninety-three dioceses that currently exist, united around the Moscow Patriarchate. In accordance with the current Church Charter, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill presided over it. On the first day of the work of the cathedral, he delivered a report in which he highlighted the main issues of the life and work of the Russian church.
Also, on the basis of the requirements of the Charter, all the permanent members of the Holy Synod were included in the Presidium. Long before the consecrated Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church began its work, in view of the importance of the issues submitted for its consideration, some representatives of the autonomous parts of the Moscow Patriarchate, including the Metropolitans of New York, Eastern America, Latvia and a number of others, also received invitations to participate in the work.
Speech by the Head of the Ukrainian Church
The report of Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine was heard with great interest. He told the audience about the situation in which the church headed by him is today. Particular attention to his speech was caused by the difficult political situation that has developed today in Ukraine, and the forced opposition to the self-proclaimed church existing there.
The head (MP) spoke about the peacekeeping role that the church entrusted to him has taken on in our days. Its shepherds and archpastors are making every effort to end hostility in a country where sometimes members of the same parish turn out to be enemies and, being blind executors of someone else's political will, plunge the country into chaos and bloodshed.
The speaker also expressed his deep gratitude to the church and secular authorities Russia, who organized the delivery of humanitarian aid to the areas most affected by internecine conflicts, and expressed the hope that the current Council (Bishops) will become a tangible contribution to the establishment of peace in Ukraine.
Problems related to preparations for the Ecumenical Council
One of the main subjects of discussions that unfolded during the meetings was the upcoming Ecumenical Council, which is associated with a lot of problems of a very different nature, including those generated by groundless rumors that arose on the basis of low religious awareness of citizens and related superstitions.
For example, fabrications are spreading that regarding this, the eighth in a row, there is supposedly a prophecy according to which he should become the Antichrist, and that a union (alliance) with catholic church, fasting abolished, remarriage legalized white clergy and many more decrees were adopted that were detrimental to true Orthodoxy.
In this regard, the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, said that over the past few months his office had received many letters from citizens urging the Moscow delegation to refuse to participate in this ungodly, in their opinion, event. And a few days before the current Council (of Bishops) began its work, their number increased many times over.
The role of the cathedral in protecting the interests of the Russian church
But there were more serious issues that needed to be addressed. One of them was the intention of the organizers Ecumenical Council to impose on all its participants the obligatory execution of decisions taken by a majority of votes. Such a formulation of the question was fraught with obvious danger. If, for example, the majority of delegations voted for a general transition to a new church calendar, then everyone, including the Russian Church, would have to submit to this.
However, thanks to the perseverance and consistency of the representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate, it was possible to achieve that the decisions of the council would be valid only if all the delegations, without exception, voted for them. If there is at least one vote against, then this decision will not be valid.
And there were many such questions. Those of them that have not yet found their solution, and, according to the speaker, there are quite a lot of them, were subject to detailed discussion, to which the last Council of Bishops was dedicated. The photos presented in the article help to imagine the businesslike working environment in which his meetings took place.
Other issues considered during the council
Among other issues included in the agenda of the work of the cathedral was the canonization of Archbishop Seraphim, who even before was canonized as a saint, widely revered in Russia and Bulgaria. All the delegates unanimously cast their votes for his glorification. In addition, (Poyarkov) read out a report on measures to perpetuate the memory of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, who became victims of terror deployed during the struggle against the church.
WITH special attention the delegates of the cathedral listened to the report of V. R. Legoyda, head of the Synodal Department for Relations with Society and the Media, on the tasks that the church faces today in connection with its presence in social networks. The speaker stressed the importance of this way of communication with the widest circle of both believers and those who have not yet found their place in religious life. In particular, he dwelled in detail on individual projects that are being prepared for implementation in the near future.
The next convocation of the Council of Bishops, according to the Church Charter, should follow no later than 2020.
One of the fifteen Local Orthodox Churches is the Russian Orthodox Church. This is a multinational Local Church, which is in doctrinal unity and prayer-canonical communion with other Local Orthodox Churches. "Moscow Patriarchate" is another official name of the Russian Orthodox Church. (In the pre-revolutionary period official name Russian Orthodox Church was "Russian Greek Catholic Orthodox".)
Of the 136 dioceses of the Moscow Patriarchate, 68 are located on the territory of the Russian Federation (more than 12.5 thousand parishes), 35 in Ukraine (more than 10 thousand parishes), 11 in Belarus (more than 1.3 thousand parishes), 6 in Moldova (more than 1.5 thousand parishes), 3 in Kazakhstan, one each in Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are united into the Tashkent and Central Asian diocese.
In the Far Abroad, the Russian Orthodox Church has 8 dioceses: Argentine and South American, Berlin and Germany, Brussels and Belgium, Budapest and Hungary, Vienna and Austria, The Hague and the Netherlands, Korsun (combining parishes in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland) and Surozh (in Great Britain and Ireland). Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA and Canada are governed by vicars of the Moscow diocese as diocesan bishops.
Like other Local Orthodox Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church has a hierarchical governance structure. The highest bodies of church power and administration in the Russian Orthodox Church are the Local Council, the Council of Bishops and the Holy Synod headed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. divided into dioceses, which can be combined into metropolitan districts, exarchates, autonomous and self-governing Churches. Dioceses include parishes, monasteries, spiritual educational establishments and other canonical institutions. Parishes are combined into deaneries.
1. Higher church administration
Local Council
The supreme authority in the field of dogma and canonical organization in the Russian Orthodox Church belongs to the Local Council, which consists of bishops, representatives of the clergy, monastics and laity. The Local Council is convened to elect the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', as well as to resolve other issues of a doctrinal and canonical nature. The dates for convening a Local Council are determined by the Council of Bishops or, in exceptional cases, by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (locum tenens of the patriarchal throne) and the Holy Synod.
According to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Local Council interprets the teaching of the Orthodox Church on the basis of Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, while maintaining doctrinal and canonical unity with the Local Orthodox Churches; solves canonical, liturgical, pastoral issues, ensuring the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church, maintaining purity Orthodox faith, Christian morality and piety; approves, changes, cancels and explains its decisions concerning church life; approves the decisions of the Council of Bishops relating to dogma and canonical structure; canonizes saints; elects the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and establishes the procedure for such election; determines and corrects the principles of relations between the Church and the state; expresses, when necessary, concern about the problems of the present.
The Chairman of the Local Council is the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', and in the absence of the Patriarch, the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne. The quorum of the Council is 2/3 of the legally elected delegates, including 2/3 of the bishops from total number hierarchs - members of the Council. Decisions at the Local Council, with the exception of special cases, are taken by a majority of votes.
An important role in the work of the Local Council is played by the Council of Bishops, which consists of all the bishops who are members of the Council. The task of the Meeting is to discuss those decisions of the Council that are of particular importance and which raise doubts from the point of view of their correspondence with the Holy Scriptures, Sacred Tradition, dogmas and canons, as well as maintaining church peace and unity. If any decision of the Council or part of it is rejected by the majority of the bishops present, then it is submitted for a second conciliar consideration. If even after this the majority of the hierarchs present at the Council reject it, then it loses its force.
IN recent history The Russian Orthodox Church had 5 Local Councils - 1917-1918, 1945, 1971, 1988 and 1990. The Council of 1917–1918 restored the patriarchate in the Russian Church, elected the Patriarch of All Russia, and adopted many other important decisions for church life. The Council of 1945 elected Patriarch Alexy I (Simansky), the Council of 1971 elected Patriarch Pimen (Izvekov). The Council of 1988 was dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus', it adopted the new Charter of the Russian Church. The Local Council of 1990 elected the now living Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II (Ridiger).
At the Local Council of 1990, each diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church was represented by a ruling bishop, one clergyman and one layman (lay woman). In addition, vicar bishops, rectors of theological schools, heads of synodal divisions, and representatives of monasteries participated in the Council.
Bishops' Cathedral
The highest body of hierarchical administration in the Russian Orthodox Church is the Council of Bishops. According to the Charter adopted in 2000, the Council of Bishops is not accountable to the Local Council and its decisions do not need to be approved by a higher church authority, with the exception of decisions related to dogma and canonical structure, which are approved by the Local Council. According to the previous Charter, adopted in 1988, the Council of Bishops was accountable to the Local Council. And the Council of 1917-1918 did not at all provide for any other supreme church authority, except for the Local Council composed of bishops, clergy and laity. The change in the charter in 2000 was due to both practical considerations and the desire to return to the more ancient practice, according to which the highest authority in the Church belongs precisely to the Council of Bishops, and not to any church body with the participation of the laity.
The Council of Bishops consists of diocesan bishops, as well as vicar bishops who head synodal institutions and theological academies or have canonical jurisdiction over the parishes under their jurisdiction. 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 and on the eve of the Local Council, as well as in exceptional cases provided for by the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The duties of the Council of Bishops include: keeping the purity and integrity of the Orthodox dogma and the norms of Christian morality; the adoption of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church and the introduction of amendments and additions to it; preservation of the dogmatic and canonical unity of the Russian Orthodox Church; the solution of fundamental theological, canonical, liturgical and pastoral issues concerning both the internal and external activities of the Church; canonization of saints and approval of liturgical rites; competent interpretation of the holy canons and other church regulations; an expression of pastoral concern for the problems of the present; determining the nature of the relationship with government bodies; maintaining relations with the Local Orthodox Churches; the creation, reorganization and liquidation of self-governing Churches, exarchates and dioceses, as well as the determination of their boundaries and names; creation, reorganization and liquidation of synodal institutions; approval of the procedure for possession, use and disposal of the property of the Russian Orthodox Church; on the eve of the Local Council, making proposals on the agenda, program, rules of procedure for meetings and the structure of the Council, as well as on the procedure for electing the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', if such an election is expected; monitoring the implementation of the decisions of the Local Council; judgment on the activities of the Holy Synod and synodal institutions; approval, cancellation and amendments to the legislative acts of the Holy Synod; the creation and abolition of bodies of church administration; establishing a procedure for all ecclesiastical courts; consideration of financial reports submitted by the Holy Synod; approval of new church-wide awards.
Decisions at the Council are taken by a simple majority of votes by open or secret ballot. None of the hierarchs who are members of the Council of Bishops may refuse to participate in its meetings, except in cases of illness or other important reason, which is recognized by the Council as valid. The quorum of the Bishops' Council consists of 2/3 of the hierarchs - its members.
In the recent history of the Russian Orthodox Church, there have been 16 Councils of Bishops - in 1925, 1943, 1944, 1961, 1971, 1988, 1989, 1990 (thrice), 1992 (twice), 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2004. The Council of 1925 bore the name of the Bishops' Conference and was convened to elect a locum tenens of the patriarchal throne after the death of His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon. The Council of 1943 elected His Holiness Patriarch Sergius. The Councils of 1944, 1971, 1988 and June 1990 were convened to prepare Local Councils. The Bishops' Council of 1961 was convened to adopt a new Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church. The frequency of convening Councils of Bishops in the period from 1989 to 1997 was due to serious changes in the legal status of the Russian Church during the collapse of the USSR and the emergence of new states on its territory, as well as the need to respond to the Ukrainian schism, which was rapidly gaining strength. The Bishops' Council of 2000 was called "Jubilee" and was dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of Christianity. Finally, the Council of 2004 was the first Council of Bishops convened in accordance with the new Charter, which prescribes that Councils of Bishops be convened once every 4 years.
Patriarch
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church bears the title "His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'". There have been 15 patriarchs in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church:
St. Job from December 11, 1586 Metropolitan of Moscow; from January 26, 1589 to the beginning of June 1605, Patriarch of All Russia
Sergius, from December 14, 1925, deputy patriarchal locum tenens, then locum tenens; September 11, 1943 - May 15, 1944 Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'
The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' ranks fifth in the diptychs of the Local Orthodox Churches after the Patriarchs of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' in the diptychs of the Russian Orthodox Church is followed by the patriarchs of Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, the archbishops of Cyprus, Albania, Athens and all Hellas, the metropolitans of Warsaw and all Poland, the Czech Lands and Slovakia, America and Canada.
The patriarch has the primacy of honor among the episcopate of the Russian Orthodox Church. In his activities, the patriarch is accountable to the Local and Bishops' Councils. The rank of patriarch in the Russian Orthodox Church is for life. The name of the patriarch is raised during divine services in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' is the diocesan bishop of the Moscow diocese, which consists of the city of Moscow and the Moscow region. In managing the Moscow diocese, the patriarch is assisted by the patriarchal vicar as a diocesan bishop, with the title of Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna. In practice, the Patriarch manages the parishes of the city of Moscow, and the Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna - the parishes of the Moscow region. The patriarch is, in addition, the hieroarchimandrite of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, a number of other monasteries of special historical significance, and manages all church stauropegia.
As the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, the patriarch has care for the internal and external welfare of the Church and governs it jointly with the Holy Synod, being its chairman. Together with the Holy Synod, the Patriarch convenes Councils of Bishops, in exceptional cases - Local Councils, and presides over them. The Patriarch also convenes meetings of the Holy Synod.
In exercising his canonical authority, the patriarch is responsible for the execution of the decisions of the Councils and the Holy Synod; submits reports to the Councils on the state of the Church; maintains the unity of the hierarchy of the Church; supervises all synodal institutions; addresses with pastoral epistles to the entirety of the Russian Church; signs general church documents after approval by the Holy Synod; governs the Moscow Patriarchate; is in correspondence with the primates of the Orthodox Churches; represents Russian in relations with the highest bodies of state power and administration; has a duty of intercession and "mourning" before the state authorities; approves the statutes of self-governing Churches, exarchates and dioceses; accepts appeals from diocesan bishops of self-governing Churches; timely sanctifies myrrh for distribution to all dioceses and parishes of the Russian Church.
As the ruling bishop of the Moscow diocese, the patriarch does not have the right to directly and personally interfere in the affairs of other dioceses of the Russian Church. Nevertheless, the patriarch has a number of coordinating functions related to the activities of other bishops. According to the Charter, the patriarch issues decrees on the election and appointment of diocesan bishops, heads of synodal institutions, vicar bishops, rectors of theological schools and other officials appointed by the Holy Synod; has care for the timely replacement of bishops' chairs; entrusts bishops with the temporary administration of dioceses in the event of a prolonged illness, death, or diocesan bishops under ecclesiastical court; oversees the fulfillment by the bishops of their archpastoral duty of caring for the dioceses; has the right to visit, if necessary, all the dioceses of the Russian Church; gives hierarchs fraternal advice both regarding their personal life and regarding their fulfillment of their archpastoral duty; in case of inattention to his advice, invites the Holy Synod to make an appropriate decision; accepts for consideration cases related to misunderstandings between bishops who voluntarily turn to his mediation without formal legal proceedings (the decisions of the patriarch in such cases are binding on both parties); accepts complaints against bishops and gives them the proper course; allows bishops to leave for more than 14 days; awards bishops with established titles and the highest ecclesiastical honors.
The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' does not have direct canonical jurisdiction over the clergy and laity of dioceses not under his jurisdiction. However, in accordance with the Charter, church awards to clerics and laity of all dioceses are awarded precisely by the patriarch. This tradition was inherited from the synodal era, when, in the absence of a canonically elected primate, church awards were presented to clergy and laity by the sovereign emperor. In accordance with the same tradition, the patriarch, not being the direct head of theological educational institutions, approves the awarding of academic degrees and titles.
The right to judge the patriarch, as well as the decision on his retirement, belongs to the Council of Bishops.
In the event of the death of a patriarch, his retirement, being under an ecclesiastical court, or any other reason that makes it impossible for him to fulfill his patriarchal office, the Holy Synod, chaired by the oldest permanent member of the Holy Synod by consecration, immediately elects from among its permanent members a locum tenens of the patriarchal throne. During the interpatriarchal period, the Russian Orthodox Church is governed by the Holy Synod, chaired by a locum tenens; the name of the locum tenens is raised during divine services in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church; the locum tenens acts as the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'; Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna enters into independent administration of the Moscow diocese.
Not later than six months after the liberation of the patriarchal throne, the locum tenens and the Holy Synod convene a Local Council to elect a new patriarch. A candidate for patriarch must be a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church; have a higher theological education, sufficient experience in diocesan administration, be distinguished by adherence to the canonical legal order, enjoy a good reputation and the trust of hierarchs, clergy and people, have a good testimony from outside (), be at least 40 years old.
Holy Synod
In the period between Councils of Bishops, the Russian Orthodox Church is governed by the Holy Synod, which is responsible to the Council of Bishops and consists of a chairman - the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (or, in the event of his death, the locum tenens of the patriarchal throne), seven permanent and five temporary members. The permanent members of the Synod are: in the department - the metropolitans of Kiev and all Ukraine; St. Petersburg and Ladoga; Krutitsky and Kolomensky; Minsky and Slutsky, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus; Chisinau and all Moldova; ex officio - chairman of the Department for External Church Relations and manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate. Temporary members of the Synod are called to attend one session, according to the seniority of the hierarchal consecration.
The modern Holy Synod is not a direct successor to the pre-revolutionary Holy Synod and differs from it both in terms of powers and composition. The Holy Synod governed the Church on behalf of "His Imperial Majesty" and included both bishops and priests as full members, as well as a layman with the rank of chief prosecutor. All decisions of the Holy Synod came into force only after approval by the emperor. The title of "Holy" passed to the pre-revolutionary Synod from the patriarch after the abolition of the patriarchate by Peter I; after the restoration of the patriarchate in 1917, this title again returned to the patriarch. The modern Synod is called "Holy" and consists exclusively of bishops. The decisions of the Synod are not approved by the patriarch, since the patriarch himself is a member of the Synod and its chairman.
Sessions of the Holy Synod are convened by the patriarch (or, in the event of his death, by the locum tenens of the patriarchal throne). As a rule, sessions of the Synod are closed. Diocesan bishops, heads of synodal institutions and rectors of the Theological Academies may be present in the Synod with the right of an advisory vote when considering matters relating to the dioceses, institutions, schools they manage or their general church obedience.
Matters in the Holy Synod are decided by the general consent of all the members participating in the meeting or by a majority of votes. None of those present in the Synod may abstain from voting. Each of the members of the Synod, in case of disagreement with the adopted decision, may submit a separate opinion, which must be declared at the same meeting and submitted in writing no later than three days from the date of the meeting. Separate opinions are attached to the case, but do not stop his decision.
The duties of the Holy Synod include taking care of the intact preservation and interpretation of the Orthodox faith, the norms of Christian morality and piety; serving the internal unity of the Church; maintaining unity with other Orthodox Churches; organization of internal and external activities of the Church; interpretation of canonical decrees and resolution of difficulties related to their application; regulation of liturgical matters; issuance of disciplinary regulations concerning the clergy, monastics and church workers; grade major events in the field of interchurch, interconfessional and interreligious relations; maintenance of interconfessional and interreligious relations; coordination of peacekeeping activities of the Russian Orthodox Church; expression of pastoral concern for social problems; addressing with special messages to all the children of the Russian Orthodox Church; maintaining proper relations between Church and state; a number of other functions.
The Holy Synod elects, appoints, in exceptional cases transfers bishops and dismisses them for retirement; summons bishops to attend the Synod; considers the reports of bishops on the state of the dioceses; inspects through its members the activities of bishops whenever it deems it necessary; determines the financial support of the bishops. The Holy Synod appoints the heads of synodal institutions and, at their request, their deputies; rectors of theological academies and seminaries; abbots (abbots) and abbots of monasteries; bishops, clerics and laity for responsible obedience abroad.
The Holy Synod forms and abolishes dioceses, changes their boundaries and names, with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops; adopts regulations on diocesan institutions; approves the statutes of the monasteries and exercises general supervision over monastic life; establishes stauropegia; on the proposal of the Educational Committee, approves the statutes and curricula of theological educational institutions, the programs of the Theological Seminaries and establishes new departments in the Theological Academies; makes sure that the actions of all bodies of church authority in the dioceses, denominations and parishes comply with legal regulations; conducts audits if necessary.
Moscow Patriarchy and synodal institutions
The executive authorities of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod are the Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions. The Moscow Patriarchate is an institution of the Russian Orthodox Church, uniting structures directly led by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. The Moscow Patriarchate, as a synodal institution, includes the Administration of Affairs.
A synodal institution is an institution of the Russian Orthodox Church that is in charge of the range of general church affairs within its competence. Synodal institutions are created or abolished by decision of the Council of Bishops or the Holy Synod and are accountable to them. The synodal institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church at the moment are: Department for External Church Relations; Publishing Council; Study Committee; Department of Catechism and Religious Education; Department of Charity and Social Service; Missionary Department; Department for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Institutions; Department of Youth Affairs. If necessary, other synodal institutions may be created.
2. Dioceses, exarchates, autonomous and self-governing Churches
At the head monastery there is an abbot in the rank of archimandrite, hegumen or hieromonk. Women's monasteries are headed by abbesses or nuns who have the right to wear a pectoral cross. In many cases, the ruling bishop is considered the official abbot of a monastery; in this case, the archimandrite, abbot or hieromonk, placed at the head of the monastery, is called the "viceroy". A male person, including the ruling bishop, cannot be the rector of a women's monastery.
In the practice of the ancient monasteries of Egypt, Palestine and Syria, the position of abbot was elective: the abbot was elected by the brethren by secret ballot. This practice is preserved to this day in the monasteries of Mount Athos. In the modern practice of the Russian Orthodox Church, the abbot of a monastery is appointed by the patriarch and the Holy Synod on the proposal of the bishop whose diocese the monastery belongs to; abbots of stavropegic monasteries are appointed directly by the patriarch.
In most monasteries, in addition to the abbot (viceroy), there is also a dean, housekeeper, treasurer and confessor. The dean of a monastery is a monk whose duties include overseeing the correct performance of worship. The housekeeper is responsible for the monastic economy, the treasurer - for finances. A confessor is a senior clergyman who is responsible for the spiritual guidance of the brethren. In ancient monasteries, the ministry of the abbot and confessor was not separated, however, in the modern practice of the Russian Orthodox Church, these services, as a rule, are separated and are performed by different persons. Confessors convents are males in holy orders (not necessarily from among the monastics).
6. Spiritual educational institutions
Theological educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church are higher and secondary specialized educational institutions that train clergy and clergymen, theologians and church workers. Theological educational institutions are under the supervision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', through the Educational Committee. Canonically, theological educational institutions come under the jurisdiction of the bishop in whose diocese they are located. Theological educational institutions are established by the decision of the Holy Synod on the proposal of the diocesan bishop.
Each Theological Academy and Seminary of the Russian Church is headed by a rector in the rank of bishop or priest. The rector manages the academy or seminary together with the academic council, consisting of professors, associate professors and lecturers. The Teaching Corporation of Theological Educational Institutions includes both clergy and laity - men and women. Only men are admitted to educational institutions that train the pastors of the Church; women are also admitted to theological institutes and other educational institutions of a wider profile, in particular to the schools of church regents. The course of study at the Theological School is, as a rule, 2 years, at the Theological Seminary 5 years, at the Theological Academy 3 years. Seminary graduates usually receive a bachelor's degree, academy graduates a Ph.D. Master's and Doctor of Theology degrees are awarded by the academic councils of the Theological Academies on the basis of submitted dissertations.
According to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, theological education is an indispensable condition for ordination to the priesthood. In practice, however, not all clergy are graduates of theological schools. During the time of state atheism, the number of priestly vacancies significantly exceeded the number of places in the Theological Academies and Seminaries, therefore, persons without theological education were often ordained to the priesthood. Some priests, after ordination, studied at the seminary according to the system of correspondence education.
7. Church Court
Church court is an ancient church institution aimed at correcting vices among the higher, middle and lower church clergy, as well as eliminating various kinds of canonical anomalies. Clerics who have committed disciplinary or canonical offenses, that is, those who have violated the norms of Christian morality or church canons, are subject to ecclesiastical court. Apostasy or serious deviations from the Orthodox dogma, committed by this or that clergyman or theologian, can also become the subject of consideration by the ecclesiastical judiciary. The decision of an ecclesiastical court is valid only within the Church and does not lead to criminal prosecution of the convict; an ecclesiastical court cannot sentence a person, for example, to exile or imprisonment. The punishment determined by the ecclesiastical court may consist in the prohibition of a clergyman from serving, deprivation of his priestly dignity, in especially grave cases - excommunication of a cleric or layperson from the Church.
In the Russian Orthodox Church, legal proceedings are carried out by ecclesiastical courts of three instances: diocesan courts having jurisdiction within their dioceses; a general ecclesiastical court with jurisdiction within the limits of the Russian Orthodox Church; court of the Council of Bishops, with jurisdiction within the Russian Orthodox Church.
The ecclesiastical court of first instance is the diocesan court, composed of clergy appointed by the diocesan bishop. The diocesan court considers canonical crimes committed by the clergy of the diocese. Decisions of the diocesan court are subject to execution after their approval by the diocesan bishop. If the diocesan bishop disagrees with the decision of the diocesan court, he acts at his own discretion. In this case, the decision of the bishop comes into force immediately, but the case is transferred to the general church court, which makes the final decision.
The General Church Court is a court of second instance. It consists of a chairman and at least four members in the hierarchal rank, who are elected by the Council of Bishops for a term of 4 years. The decisions of the general church court are subject to execution after their approval by the patriarch and the Holy Synod. In case of disagreement of the patriarch and the Synod with the decision of the general church court, the decision of the patriarch and the Synod comes into force. In this case, for a final decision, the case may be referred to the court of the Council of Bishops.
The church court of the highest instance is the Council of Bishops, which is authorized to consider and make decisions: in the first and last instance on dogmatic and canonical deviations in the activities of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'; in the last instance on disagreements between two or more bishops; on canonical offenses and doctrinal deviations of bishops; on all cases referred to him by the general church court for a final decision.
