NEW YORK: September 15, 2021
A regular session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad is held

On Tuesday, September 14, 2021, a regular session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia convened, chaired by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, its First Hierarch. Also participating in this remote session were: His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany; His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops; His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America; His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe; His Grace Bishop George of Canberra and His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Deputy Secretary of the Synod of Bishops.

Opening the meeting, Metropolitan Hilarion congratulated the participants on the new ecclesiastical year, and the continuing celebration of the 800th anniversary of the birth of Holy Right-Believing Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky. His Eminence recounted the recent celebrations at St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ; about the great consecration of Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY, and about a recent brotherly visit to the Synodal Residence of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, Head of the North American Diocese of the Antiochian Orthodox Church. The President of the Synod then wished everyone God’s help in their continuing activity and a positive resolution of all matters on the agenda.

Metropolitan Mark then spoke on the celebration of the enthronement of Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral.

Discussing matters raised by Bishop Irenei, the Synod of Bishops decided to establish a Bishops’ Council consisting of archpastors of the Russian Church Abroad who serve in Western Europe, to be chaired by Metropolitan Mark. The main goal of this committee is to deliberate on and resolve current affairs of local Church life and pastoral ministry.

Hearing a report by Archpriest Andre Papkov on the work of the Synodal Liturgical Music Commission, the archpastors invoked Divine blessing to move the Metropolitan Laurus Synodal Summer School of Liturgical Music to Novo-Diveevo Convent in Nanuet, NY, supporting the idea proposed by Fr Andre to establish an Orthodox educational center there and confirming its blessing for the establishment of a sister school in Western Europe.

The Synod of Bishops then deliberated on various Church administrative and disciplinary matters and a series of intercessions by the hierarchs for ecclesiastical awards from clergymen and laity of their respective dioceses.

The meeting ended with the singing of It is Truly Meet.