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The Winter Session of the Synod of Bishops
of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
The regular session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox
Church Outside of Russia was held on 28-29 January in the Synodal
building in New York in the presence of the Protectress of the
Russian diaspora--the Miracle-working Kursk-Root Icon of the
Mother of God.
The session was attended by the President of the Synod of Bishops,
His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, the members of the Synod,
Archbishop Mark of Berlin, Germany and Great Britain, Bishop
Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, and Bishop Gabriel
of Manhattan. Bishop Michael of Boston also took part in the
session.
On 28 January, the appeal of Bishop Ambroise of Geneva and Western
Europe was heard on his wish to retire. The Synod of Bishops
decreed that at the present time his plea could not be approved
in consideration of church matters in Western Europe. Archbishop
Mark and Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart will assist him instead.
The Synod of Bishops approvingly heard the news that the health
of the Vice President of the Synod of Bishops, His Eminence
Archbishop Alypy of Chicago and Detroit has improved significantly
and he has resumed walking.
Archbishop Mark reported on the situation in the Holy Land.
The general atmosphere there is tense. The possible war in the
Middle East is heightening the tensions. The Australian Government
is advising its citizens residing in Israel to leave the country.
Bishop Michael reported to the Synod of Bishops on his trip
to the Russian Federation. The Synod decreed to subject the
diocese, formerly under the authority of Archbishop Lazar (since
the latter fell into schism) to the authority of Bishop Agathangel.
The Synod heard the report of Archbishop Mark on the Conference
on Church History held in Moscow last November. The first conference,
held in Hungary in 2002, included 16 participants. The one in
Moscow had 35. The most interesting lecture, according to the
conferees, was that of Protopriest George Mitrofanov of St.
Petersburg. His report was on the anti-bolshevik movement within
the Russian Church in the 1930's and 1940's. The faithful in
Russia welcomes such conferences, though it was limited to purely
historical discussions of the history of the Russian Church
in the 20th century. It is possible that the future will hold
more such meetings.
The Synod of Bishops also examined matters pertaining to specific
clergymen, appeals for awards, diocesan matters, financial reports
of the Synod and a report on legal matters.
The general direction of church life in the last several months
has been peaceful, possessed of a positive spirit in Christ.
The First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of
Russia, Metropolitan Laurus, feels better after his illness.
The next meeting, the Spring Session of the Synod of Bishops,
is scheduled to be held in Europe. This will allow Metropolitan
Laurus to also visit to Western Europe and Germany as First
Hierarch. |
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