NEW YORK: December 6, 2008
Message from the Chancery of the First Hierarch on the Extraordinary Meeting of the Holy Synod in Moscow

My brethren archpastors, the clergy and flock of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia are hereby informed that an extraordinary meeting of the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate was held, at which the following decisions were taken:

1. To commemorate the name of the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church as follows: "for our lord, the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad."

2. In accordance with Par. 2, Section IV, of the Regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Yuvenaly of Krutitsa and Kolomensk assumes the administration of the Moscow Diocese. His name is to be commemorated during divine services in all the churches of Moscow following the name of the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne.

3. The funeral of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy is to be held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on December 9 of this year, and his burial, in accordance with his wishes, at Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow.