MOSCOW: May 14, 2008 
The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate Confirms the Election of the Primate of the Russian Church Abroad 

The Holy Synod of the 
Moscow Patriarchate

May 14, 2008
No. 3526
Moscow, 119034, Chisty, 5 

TO HIS EMINENCE
THE MOST REVEREND HILARION
METROPOLITAN OF EASTERN AMERICA AND NEW YORK 

EXCERPT FROM JOURNAL No. 39
OF THE MEETING OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
of May 14, 2008 

During a meeting of the Holy Synod presided over by the PATRIARCH- 

HEARD: 

A report by His Holiness the Patriarch on the election by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad on May 12, 2008, of His Eminence Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand as her First Hierarch, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York. 

      Background: 

      In accordance with the Act of Canonical Communion of May 17, 2007, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia is elected by its Council of Bishops. The election is confirmed, in accordance with canonical law, by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. 

      The Council of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad, acting in accordance with the Regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, on May 12, 2008, elected His Eminence Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand as the Primate of the Russian Church Abroad.  

      The Act of Election of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia along with a request for the confirmation of this decision made by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad by His Holiness the Patriarch and the Holy Synod was addressed to His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia. 

DECREED: 

The decision of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad on the election of His Eminence Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand as her First Hierarch, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, is hereby confirmed. 

THIS IS A TRUE EXCERPT. 

[Seal of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church] 

[signature: Kliment] 

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE
MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE
METROPOLITAN OF KALUGA AND BOROVSK