NEW YORK: 12 December, 2025
The final meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the year was held, coinciding with the Synodal Cathedral feast day

From December 9-11, 2025, the last meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia of the year took place at the Synodal Residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia in New York. The meeting, chaired by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, was attended by: His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany; His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America; His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe; His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle; His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse (by special invitation of the Chairman), and His Grace Bishop Job of Stuttgart.

On Tuesday, December 9, the meeting opened with a greeting from the Chairman of the Synod of Bishops, who outlined the program for the days ahead.

Having accepted the agenda previously sent out by Bishop Theodosius, and adding a few questions at the request of the archpastors, the members of the Synod of Bishops commenced their work.

Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia), reported on the state of affairs in the churches and monasteries under his jurisdiction. Then Nicholas Ohotin, Communications Director of the Synod, gave a report on legal and property matters.

Archpriest Alexander Anchoutine, Director of AZCC Builders Inc., and representatives of the Zimmerman Agency acquainted the Synod with the progress of the repair and construction of the Synodal residence in New York. Then Bishop Irenei, Secretary of the Synod for Inter-Orthodox Relations, reported on events in the Orthodox world since the last meeting.

Bishop Luke, Abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, gave a report on the state of affairs at the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.

A commission was established by the Synod of Bishops to study the life, legacy, and veneration of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose), headed by His Grace Bishop James of Sonora, Vicar of the Western American Diocese.

Hieromonk Peter (Karakozov), a cleric of the Western American Diocese, gave a report on the Liturgical traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

Mark Selawry, President of the Fund for Assistance to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, gave an extensive presentation on its work and future plans.

Special attention was paid to issues of replenishing the episcopate and preparing for the upcoming Council of Bishops, to be held in Munich, Germany, from April 29-May 5, 2026, during which celebrations dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the German Diocese will take place. In this regard, following the acts of the Council of Bishops, a commemorative church conference will commence at the Monastery of St Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev.

The Synod of Bishops reviewed various church-disciplinary and administrative-economic issues, as well as a number of petitions from the archpastors, who interceded for awards to their clergy and parishioners.

On Wednesday, December 10, the feast of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," Metropolitan Nicholas officiated at Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral, preceded by all-night vigil on the eve.

His Eminence was joined by the Synod members; His Eminence Metropolitan Saba of North America (Antiochian Orthodox Church); His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America (Serbian Orthodox Church); His Grace Bishop Clement of Levka (Bulgarian Orthodox Church); His Grace Bishop Jerome (Shaw), along with Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Dean of the Cathedral, and its clergy, as well as representatives of several Local Orthodox Churches, clergy of the Eastern American Diocese, and guests in holy orders.

The service was conducted in Church Slavonic, English, Arabic, Serbian, and Romanian. In the center of the cathedral lay the principal shrine of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia – the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, which many faithful venerated.

On this day, the Synod prayerfully marked the 100th anniversary of the repose of Holy Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow and All Russia, and St Jonah (Pokrovsky), Bishop of Hankou the Manchurian miracle-worker.

The Synodal Choir under the direction of Vadim Gan sang tenderly with great inspiration.

Before Communion, a sermon was delivered by Metropolitan Mark on the significance of the Kursk Icon and St Tikhon for the German Diocese.

At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Nicholas addressed the assembly of archpastors, clergy, and worshipers. His Eminence particularly welcomed Metropolitan Saba, who participated for the first time in the festive service at the Synodal Cathedral, presenting him with an icon of the Lord Almighty. In response, Metropolitan Saba expressed his joy at serving together and presented to Metropolitan Nicholas the well-preserved belt of St Raphael of Brooklyn, with which he was buried.

The communion of the Primate, archpastors, clergy, and faithful continued over a festive meal, graciously prepared by the cathedral sisterhood. During the meal, Archpriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops and Secretary to the Primate, gave a brief report on the veneration of St Jonah in the Russian diaspora.

On Thursday, December 11, the archpastors continued their work in the meeting hall of the Synodal Residence. Concluding the meeting, the President of the Synod wished its participants a peaceful fast and a joyful encounter with the "Infant born, the Everlasting God".

That same evening, a meeting of the Supreme Council of the Orthodox Palestinian Society was held under the chairmanship of His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolai.

The next meeting of the Holy Synod will take place on February 17, 2026.