NEW YORK: May 12, 2008
The Council of Bishops Signs the Act Electing the New First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

On Monday, April 29 (May 12), 2008, on the feast day of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus, having gathered in the City of New York in the Cathedral of the Sign of the Most-Holy Mother of God of the Kursk-Root Icon, We, the bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, having prayed at Divine Liturgy before the opening of an extraordinary session of the Council of Bishops, and commemorating His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus; and having prayed before the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God and the relics of SS Elizabeth and Barbara, invoking the grace-filled aid of the Holy Spirit, commenced electing the new Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. 

There were 11 voting bishops, 3 of them absent, but who submitted their votes in writing. 

His Eminence Archbishop Hilarion received over 2/3 of the votes and was elected, in accordance with the Order of electing the First Hierarch, as the sixth Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. 

We pray to the Almighty God, Worshiped in the Trinity, the Most-Blessed Virgin Mother of God and all the saints for Divine blessing to be sent down upon the further service of our First Hierarch. Amen. 

+Archbishop Alypy

+Archbishop Mark

+Archbishop Kyrill

+Bishop Michael   

+Bishop Agapit

+Bishop Gabriel   

+Bishop Peter