The meetings of the Consecrated Council of Bishops were chaired by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill (Gundyaev) in the hall of church councils of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. 280 bishops took part in the work of the Council. The Council was attended by church hierarchs from 247 dioceses of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Estonia, as well as dioceses located abroad.
On the 1st day of meetings of the Council His Holiness Patriarch Kirill read a report on various aspects of intra-church life, church-state and church-public relations throughout the canonical space of the Russian Orthodox Church. The report touched upon, in particular, issues related to the formation of new dioceses and the creation of metropolises.
The Patriarch noted that in order to fulfill the task set at the Council of Bishops in 2011 of opening new parishes, Priest. The Synod in May 2011 initiated the historical process of formation within the republics and regions Russian Federation several dioceses. Previously, this happened in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and in the Belarusian Exarchate. However, the speaker emphasized, in Russia these transformations must be more ambitious. Over the past 2 years, 64 new dioceses have been established on the territory of the same constituent entities of the Russian Federation. In total, 82 dioceses were formed during this time. Since the Local Council of 2009, 88 new dioceses have been established. There are currently 247 dioceses in total. In addition, by the decision of the Holy. Synod of July 27, 2011, a new metropolitan district was formed - Central Asian. In Oct. 2011 Priest. The Synod made an important adjustment to the process of disaggregation of dioceses: dioceses located within one subject of the Russian Federation began to unite into metropolitanates. During the inter-council period, 33 metropolitanates were created.
The Primate said that in order to simplify and reduce the cost of the construction of new churches, the Council instructed the Financial and Economic Department to develop projects for prefabricated and inexpensive churches. Currently time developed 7 standard projects churches with a capacity of 200 to 500 parishioners. After acquiring ownership rights to the developed design and estimate documentation, it will be able to be used in all dioceses with modifications where necessary.
Further, Patriarch Kirill dwelled on issues related to the life of dioceses and parishes in countries outside the canonical territories of the existing Local Orthodox Churches, as well as on the representations of the Moscow Patriarchate in the territory of other Autocephalous Churches. According to rough estimates, the total number of Russian-speaking Orthodox Christians. The diaspora in the world today is about 30 million people, and a significant part of it is the flock of the Russian Orthodox Church. Currently Currently, in 57 foreign countries there are 829 parishes and 52 monasteries of the Moscow Patriarchate, including 409 parishes and 39 monasteries within the Russian Church Abroad. The Primate emphasized that in 2011–2012. New churches were built and consecrated in Thailand, the community in Singapore was strengthened, and parishes were opened in Malaysia and Cambodia. The issue of building an orthodox church is acute. temple in India. Several major projects are being successfully implemented: the restoration of the temple and premises of the Pilgrim House of the Russian Orthodox Church in Bari, near the relics of St. Nicholas of Myra, the construction of the first Russian Orthodox Church is almost completed. temple on the Arabian Peninsula in the United Arab Emirates, construction of a temple in Madrid is in full swing, in France the temple in Nice was returned to Russia, where the priest now serves. Korsun diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. Preparations are actively underway for the construction of a Russian spiritual and cultural center in Paris on the Quai Branly. An important event was the receipt by the Vienna Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church of the official. status in Austria.
Five years have passed since the signing of the “Act on Canonical Communion between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.” Over the past period, trust between people has strengthened and mutual assistance between communities has improved. However, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill noted with regret that the problem of the existence of parishes that did not accept the canonical unification of the Russian Orthodox Church, in particular in Lat. America.
Then the Primate touched upon issues related to the financial and economic activities of the Church.
Patriarch Kirill also reported that during the inter-conciliar period, the brotherhood of bishops increased by 75 bishops, and today 290 diocesan and vicar bishops serve in the Russian Orthodox Church, of which 225 are ruling. In total, since the Local Council of 2009, 108 consecrations have been performed, 88 of them with the participation of the Patriarch.
The speaker dwelled in some detail on the analysis various topics related to spiritual education. There was an assessment of the missionary, youth and social service of Rus. Churches for recent years. In addition, the Patriarch touched upon issues of the Church’s information activities, its dialogue with society and the state, and also shared his vision of inter-Orthodox relations. and interchrist. relationships, interaction with representatives of other religions.
Members of the Council heard a report by Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan) of Kyiv and All Ukraine, in which he assessed the current situation of canonical Orthodoxy within Ukraine.
In the following days, members of the Council of Bishops adopted a number of documents proposed for consideration by the Inter-Council Presence: “Regulations on the election of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'”, “Regulations on the composition of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church”, “Position of the Church in connection with the development of technologies for recording and processing personal data”, “Position of the Russian Orthodox Church on family law reform and problems of juvenile justice”, “Position of the Russian Orthodox Church on current problems ecology". A new edition of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church was approved, taking into account the amendments made to it. The Council of Bishops also decided to glorify St. Dalmat (Mokrinsky), previously canonized as a locally revered saint of the Kurgan diocese. One of the important documents adopted by the Council was the Regulations on Material and social support clergy, clergy and employees of religious organizations of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as members of their families. The Council adopted the Regulations on Awards of the Russian Orthodox Church, which streamlines the system of church-wide and liturgical awards Rus. Churches founded in different times. The members of the Council unanimously approved the current composition of the Church-wide Court for a new term. In conclusion, the Council of Bishops adopted resolutions and addressed a message to the clergy, monastics and laity of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Lit.: Kirill (Gundyaev), Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. Report at the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church on February 2. 2013 // ZhMP. 2013. No. 3. P. 12-45; Conciliar Reason of the Church // ZhMP. 2013. No. 3. P. 10; Resolutions of the Consecrated Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, February 2–5. 2013 // ZhMP. 2013. No. 4. P. 8–18; Position of the Russian Orthodox Church on the reform of family law and problems of juvenile justice // ZhMP. 2013. No. 5. P. 8–11; Barsanuphius (Sudakov), Metropolitan. What has changed in the Charter: From the report on the project to introduce amendments and additions to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church “On the adoption of a new edition of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church” // ZhMP. 2013. No. 6. P. 7; Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church as amended in 2013 // ZhMP. 2013. No. 6. pp. 38–49.
During February 2 and 3 of this year, the next Russian Council of Bishops was held in Moscow. It was an important event in the religious life of the country. But before dwelling on the issues that were subject to its consideration, it makes sense to clarify what this body of church authority is and what its history is.
Successors of the Holy Apostles
The practice of convening church councils goes back to New Testament times, when in 49 (according to other sources in 51) a council was held in Jerusalem, at which the apostles discussed the most important question- Is circumcision necessary to obtain eternal life? It was there that a decree was made freeing all those who were baptized from the need to fulfill most of the Jewish laws and the ritual rituals prescribed by them.
In subsequent years, church councils became a common practice and were convened regularly. At the same time, they were divided into two categories - Local, that is, held within the framework of one local church, and Ecumenical, the very name of which indicates that representatives of churches throughout the Christian world took part in it.
Features of Local Councils
The history of past times was entered mainly by the names of the cities in which they were held, the local churches that became their organizers, the states on whose territory they were convened, as well as the religious denominations that resolved their issues at them.
Representatives of not only a wide range of clergy took part in the work of Local Councils - from bishops to clergy of the lower levels, but also deputations of laity living in these territories. They discussed various issues related not only to doctrine, but also to the structure of church life, as well as to its management.
High clergy forums
In contrast, the participants in the Council of Bishops are exclusively bishops convened to make decisions on the most important internal church issues. It is important to note that the division of church councils into Local and Bishops' councils was established only during the synodal period. Previously, all major decisions related to the life of the church were made individually by its primate.
Nowadays, the Council of Bishops is the highest governing body of both the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Church, which is part of the Moscow Patriarchate. Its status was determined by the decisions of the Local Council held in 1945. At the same time, a term appeared that became its designation.
Previous Council of Archpastors
The meeting of archpastors, held in February of this year in Moscow, was preceded by only one council (the Bishops' Council), held in 1961 in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. An interesting detail is that none of its participants were warned in advance that they would participate in such a representative forum. Everyone then received only invitations to celebrate the memory of its founder and upon arrival they learned about the true purpose of the call. This Council (of Bishops) in 1961 took place at the height of Khrushchev’s anti-religious campaign, and such secrecy was by no means unnecessary.
Recently completed cathedral
So, the current Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church is the second in a row. Its beginning was preceded by the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, performed by Archpriest Mikhail (Ryazantsev). Together with Patriarch Kirill, all the delegates who arrived at this largest church forum in recent years from all over the country and from abroad took part in it.
As can be seen from his published documents, as well as from the speeches of the participants in the press conference organized after the completion of the work, the main issue was preparation for the Pan-Orthodox (Ecumenical) Council scheduled for the near future, the venue of which was to be the island of Crete.
Participants of the council and its presidium
The composition of the Council of Bishops was very large. Suffice it to say that it included three hundred and fifty-four archpastors, representing two hundred and ninety-three currently existing dioceses, united around the Moscow Patriarchate. In accordance with the current Church Charter, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill presided over it. On the first day of the cathedral, he gave a report in which he highlighted the main issues of the life and activities of the Russian church.
The presidium also, based on the requirements of the Charter, included all permanent members of the Holy Synod. Long before the consecrated Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church began its work, in view of the importance of the issues brought before it, invitations to participate in the work were also received by some representatives of the autonomous parts of the Moscow Patriarchate, including the Metropolitans of New York, Eastern America, Latvia and a number of others.
Speech by the head of the Ukrainian Church
The report of Metropolitan Onufry of Kyiv and All Ukraine was heard with great interest, telling the audience about the situation in which the church he heads finds itself today. Particular attention to his speech was caused by the difficult political situation that has developed today in Ukraine, and the forced confrontation regarding the self-proclaimed church existing there.
The head (MP) spoke about the peacemaking role that the church entrusted to him has taken on in our days. Its pastors and archpastors are making every effort to stop hostility in the country, where sometimes members of the same parish turn out to be enemies and, being blind executors of someone else's political will, plunge the country into chaos and bloodshed.
The speaker also expressed deep gratitude to the church and secular authorities Russia, which organized the delivery of humanitarian aid to areas most affected by internecine conflicts, and expressed hope that the current Council (of Bishops) will make a tangible contribution to the establishment of peace in Ukraine.
Problems associated with preparations for the Ecumenical Council
One of the main subjects of discussion that unfolded during the meetings was the upcoming Ecumenical Council, which is associated with many problems of a very different nature, including those generated by groundless rumors that arose due to the low religious awareness of citizens and related superstitions.
For example, fabrications are being spread that regarding this, the eighth in a row, there is supposedly a prophecy according to which he should become the Antichrist, and that a union (union) with him will be concluded. Catholic Church, fasts were abolished, remarriages of the white clergy were legalized, and many more decrees were adopted that were detrimental to true Orthodoxy.
In this regard, holding the position of Chairman of the Department of External church connections, reported that throughout last months His office received many letters from citizens calling on the Moscow delegation to refuse to participate in this, in their opinion, ungodly event. And a few days before the current council (the Bishops' Council) began its work, their number increased many times over.
The role of the cathedral in protecting the interests of the Russian church
But there were also more serious issues that required solutions. One of them was the intention of the organizers of the Ecumenical Council to impose on all its participants mandatory execution of decisions made by a majority of votes. This formulation of the question was fraught with obvious danger. If, for example, the majority of delegations voted for a general transition to a new church calendar, then everyone, including the Russian church, would have to submit to this.
However, thanks to the persistence and consistency of representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate, it was possible to ensure that the decisions of the council would only be valid if all delegations without exception voted for them. If there is at least one vote against, then this decision will not be valid.
And there were many such questions. Those of them that had not yet found their solution, and, according to the speaker, there were quite a lot of them, were subject to detailed discussion, to which the last Council of Bishops was dedicated. The photos presented in the article help to imagine the business-like work environment in which his meetings took place.
Other issues considered during the council
Among other issues included in the agenda of the council was the canonization of Archbishop Seraphim, who had even previously been canonized and was widely revered in Russia and Bulgaria. All delegates unanimously voted for his glorification. In addition, (Poyarkov) read out a report dedicated to measures to perpetuate the memory of the new martyrs and confessors of Russia who became victims of the terror unleashed during the struggle against the church.
WITH special attention The delegates of the cathedral listened to a report by V. R. Legoyda, who heads the Synodal Department for Relations with Society and the Media, on the tasks that the church faces today in connection with its presence in social networks. The speaker emphasized the importance of this way of communication with a wide range of both believers and those who have not yet found their place in religious life. In particular, he dwelled in detail on individual projects that are being prepared for implementation in the near future.
The next convocation of the Council of Bishops, according to the Church Charter, should follow no later than 2020.
On November 29, 2017, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church began its work in the Hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral Church of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The program of the Council includes anniversary celebrations dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the restoration of the Patriarchate - the enthronement of Patriarch Tikhon took place in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin on December 4, 1917. About 400 bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church from 22 countries came to the Council.
The Chairman of the Council of Bishops, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill (Gundyaev), delivered the main report on the life and activities of the Russian Orthodox Church before the Council. The report provided statistical data on the church life and activities of the Patriarch during the inter-council period. Thus, today there are 303 dioceses in the Russian Orthodox Church - since 2009 their number has increased by 144; 60 metropolises; more than 39 thousand full-time clergy. Taking into account data on non-CIS countries, the Russian Orthodox Church owns almost 37 thousand churches - their number has increased by 1340 over the year, 462 monasteries - this is 7 more than a year earlier, and 482 convents, that is, 11 more than last year. There are more than 900 parishes and monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church in non-CIS countries, including parishes of the Russian Church Abroad.
In his report, Patriarch Kirill also indicated that a special place in church life belongs to the Old Believer parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church, the number of which is gradually growing, as is the frequency of hierarchal services in them by the ancient rite. He noted:
Development continues Patriarchal Center ancient Russian liturgical tradition, which helps to improve the training of clergy and clergy of Old Believer parishes: there are circles for the study of Znamenny singing and rules, clergy undergo internships, with the participation of other large parishes, educational and scientific literature is published, as well as prayer books for practical use. The first diocesan center of the ancient Russian liturgical tradition has already been created in Simbirsk. All this contributes to a better assimilation of the rich heritage of Russian centuries-old church tradition.
The second day of the Council of Bishops opened with a report by the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Chairman of the Synodal Biblical and Theological Commission, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev) of Volokolamsk, in which he critically examined the actions of the Cretan Pan-Orthodox Council of 2016. In particular, he spoke about the document “Relations of the Orthodox Church with the rest of the Christian world,” recalling that the following formulations raise doubts in the Russian Orthodox Church: the naming of heterodox communities “churches” in the document, the expressions “search” or “restoration” of the unity of Christians. He also noted that the document “The Sacrament of Marriage and Obstacles to It” contains a number of controversial formulations. In particular, the phrase of the previously published draft: “The Church does not recognize it possible for its members to enter into same-sex unions” was modified at the Crete Council as follows: “The Church does not recognize it as possible for its members to enter into civil unions - both same-sex and those concluded with the opposite sex.” This wording introduces ambiguity into the text.
Today, November 30, Russian President V.V. is expected to arrive at the Council of Bishops. Putin. This is the first visit to a Church Council by such a high-ranking government official. Until this moment, the President of the country, where, according to the Constitution, no religion can be a state religion, had never participated in such meetings.
The Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church is the highest body of church authority, which meets every 4 years. It will end on December 2.
The document was adopted at the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church on November 29 - December 2, 2017.
Taking into account the special status of the broad autonomy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the leadership center of which is located in Kyiv, the Holy Synod presented to the Council of Bishops a proposal received from His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine to single out into an independent chapter the provisions of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church (hereinafter referred to as the Charter) relating to the Ukrainian The Orthodox Church, whose governing center is located in Kyiv.
In addition, during the inter-conciliar period, the Holy Synod approved a number of changes to the procedure for the canonization of ascetics of piety as locally revered saints and to the procedure for their further church-wide glorification (magazine No. 66 of July 15, 2016), which requires reflection in the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Holy Synod formed new structures of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (magazine No. 99 of October 21, 2016 and magazine No. 116 of December 27, 2016). It is necessary to provide for their representation at Local Councils.
Taking into account the provisions described in the Regulations on Monasteries and Monasticism approved by the Council of Bishops, adjustments should be made to the procedure for managing monastic farmsteads mentioned in the Charter.
In addition, it is proposed to clarify the Charter by excluding the transfer to the Patriarchal Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal prerogative to award bishops with awards of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Finally, in connection with the appeal received from the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus and the Synod of the Belarusian Exarchate, the Holy Synod presented proposals to the Council of Bishops to amend the Regulations on the Court of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Taking into account the above, the Consecrated Council of Bishops decides:
I. Make the following changes to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church:
1. Include in the Charter after Chapter IX new chapter the following contents, with changes in the numbering of subsequent chapters:
“Chapter X. Ukrainian Orthodox Church
1. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is self-governing with the rights of broad autonomy.
2. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church was granted independence and autonomy in its governance in accordance with the Determination of the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church on October 25-27, 1990 “On the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
3. In its life and activities, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is guided by the Determination of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church of 1990 “On the Ukrainian Orthodox Church”, the Charter of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' of 1990 and the Charter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is approved by its Primate and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Rus'.
4. The bodies of church power and administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are its Council and Synod, headed by its Primate, who bears the title “His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine.” The control center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is located in the city of Kyiv.
5. The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is elected by the episcopate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and is blessed by His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
6. The name of the Primate is commemorated in all churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
7. The bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are elected by its Synod.
8. The decision on the formation or abolition of dioceses included in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and on the determination of their territorial boundaries are made by its Synod with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.
9. The bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are members of the Local and Bishops' Councils and participate in their work in accordance with Sections II and III of this Charter and in meetings of the Holy Synod.
10. The decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils are binding on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
11. The decisions of the Holy Synod are valid in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, taking into account the characteristics determined by the independent nature of its governance.
12. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has its own highest ecclesiastical judicial authority. Moreover, the court of the Council of Bishops is the ecclesiastical court of the highest instance for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, such canonical punishments as lifelong ban from the priesthood, defrocking, excommunication from the Church are imposed by the diocesan bishop with subsequent approval by the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine and the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
13. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church receives holy chrism from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.”
2. Remove Article 18 from Chapter XI of the Charter.
3. State paragraph e) of Article 5 of Chapter III (“Council of Bishops”) of the Charter in the following wording: “e) canonization of saints and church-wide glorification of locally revered saints”;
4. Introduce into Article 25 of Chapter V of the Charter (“Holy Synod”) the following paragraph: “t) canonization of locally venerated saints and submitting the issue of their church-wide glorification to the Council of Bishops for consideration”;
5. State paragraph c) of Article 15 of Chapter IV of the Charter in the following wording: “c) The Locum Tenens performs the duties of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' as they are set out in Article 7 of Chapter IV of this Charter, except for paragraphs c, h and e.”
6. Supplement Article 4 of Chapter IX (“Church Court”), stating it as follows:
“Court in the Russian Orthodox Church is carried out by church courts of the following instances:
a) diocesan courts having jurisdiction within their dioceses;
b) the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical judicial authorities in the indicated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) - with jurisdiction within the relevant parts of the Russian Orthodox Church ;
c) the highest church-wide court, with jurisdiction within the Russian Orthodox Church with the exception of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church;
d) the court of the Council of Bishops, with jurisdiction within the entire Russian Orthodox Church."
7. In all articles of the Charter where the “Common Church Court” is mentioned, change its name to the “Highest Church Court”.
8. State Article 9 of Chapter XVII (“Monasteries”) of the Charter in the following wording:
“Monasteries can have courtyards. A metochion is a community of Orthodox Christians within the monastery and located outside it. The activities of the monastery are regulated by the charter of the monastery to which the monastery belongs, and by its own civil charter. The metochion in the church-hierarchical (canonical) order is subordinated to the diocesan bishop of the diocese on whose territory it is located, and in the economic order - to the same bishop as the monastery. If the metochion is located on the territory of another diocese, then at the service in the church of the metochion both the name of the diocesan bishop and the name of the bishop in whose diocese the metochion is located are exalted.”
II. Make the following changes to the Regulations on the ecclesiastical court of the Russian Orthodox Church:
1. In all articles of the Regulations on the Church Court, where the “General Church Court” is mentioned, change its name to the “Highest Church Court”.
2. Add the third paragraph of paragraph 2 of Article 1 of the Regulations on the Church Court, stating it as follows:
"2. The judicial system of the Russian Orthodox Church includes the following church courts:
- diocesan courts with jurisdiction within their respective dioceses;
- the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical judicial authorities in the indicated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) - with jurisdiction within the corresponding parts of the Russian Orthodox Church;
- The Supreme Church Court - with jurisdiction within the Russian Orthodox Church, with the exception of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church;
- "The Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church - with jurisdiction within the entire Russian Orthodox Church."
3. Add paragraph 2 of Article 31 of the Regulations on the Church Court, stating it as follows:
"2. The Council of Bishops considers cases against bishops as an ecclesiastical court of second instance:
- considered by the General Church Court of First Instance and sent by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' or the Holy Synod for consideration by the Council of Bishops to make a final decision;
- on appeals of bishops against the decisions of the Supreme Church Court of First Instance and the highest church judicial authorities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches that have entered into legal force.
The Holy Synod or the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' has the right to refer for consideration to the Council of Bishops other cases within the jurisdiction of lower church courts, if these cases require an authoritative judicial council decision.”
4. State paragraph 2 of Article 28 of the Regulations on the Church Court in the following wording:
“The Supreme Church Court considers as an appellate instance, in the manner prescribed by Chapter 6 of these Regulations, the following cases:
- reviewed by diocesan courts and sent by diocesan bishops to the Supreme Church Court for final resolution;
- on appeals of the parties against decisions of diocesan courts;
- considered by the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical judicial authorities in the indicated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) and transferred by the primates of the corresponding parts of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Supreme Church-wide Court;
- on appeals of the parties against decisions of the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical judicial authorities in the indicated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church).
This article does not apply to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
5. Delete paragraph 6 of Article 50 of the Regulations on the Church Court.
6. Add Chapter 6 of the Regulations on the Church Court with a new article with the following content, shifting the numbering of subsequent articles:
“Consideration of cases in individual higher ecclesiastical judicial authorities.
1. Appeals against decisions of diocesan courts of the dioceses of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts are sent to the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities of the indicated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church (if there are higher ecclesiastical judicial authorities in them).
2. The Supreme Church Court considers appeals against decisions made both in the first consideration and in the appeal procedure by the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts.
3. This article does not apply to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
III. State paragraph 15 of Article 2 of the Regulations on the composition of the Local Council in the following wording:
“Two delegates each - one cleric and one layman:
- from Patriarchal parishes in the USA,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in Canada,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in Italy,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in Finland,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in Turkmenistan,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in the Republic of Armenia,
- from the Patriarchal parishes in the Kingdom of Thailand and the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Southeast and East Asia.
The elected delegates are confirmed by the Patriarch (during the period of locum tenens - by the Holy Synod).
Church institutions in foreign countries that are not part of the dioceses or parish associations listed in this article are represented at the Local Council by the head of the Office for Foreign Institutions.”
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
Orthodoxy(tracing paper from Greek ὀρθοδοξία - literally “correct judgment”, “correct teaching” or “correct glorification”) - a direction in Christianity that took shape in the east of the Roman Empire during the first millennium AD. e. under the leadership and with the main role of the department of the Bishop of Constantinople - New Rome. Orthodoxy professes the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed and recognizes the decrees of the seven Ecumenical Councils. Includes the totality of teachings and spiritual practices contained in the Orthodox Church, which is understood as the community of autocephalous local Churches having Eucharistic communion with each other.According to the opinion of the professor of the Imperial St. Petersburg Theological Academy N. N. Glubokovsky, “Orthodoxy is a “right confession” - because it reproduces in itself the entire intelligible object, it itself sees and shows it to others in the “correct opinion” throughout the entire wealth of objects and with all features."
In Russian, the terms “orthodoxy” or “orthodox” are almost never used as a synonym for “Orthodoxy,” although such usage sometimes occurs in secular literature, usually due to an erroneous translation of the word “according to consonance” from European languages.
The earliest written use of the word “Orthodoxy” on the territory of Rus' is recorded in the “Sermon on Law and Grace” (1037 - 1050):
Let us praise with the laudable voices of the Roman country Peter and Paul, who believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God; Asia and Ephesus, and Patm of John the Theologian, India of Thomas, Egypt of Mark. All countries and cities and people honor and glorify each of their teachers, who taught me the Orthodox faith. - A Word on Law and Grace by Metropolitan Hilarion (publication of the Institute of Literary Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences)
In the official language of the church and state on the territory of Rus', the term “Orthodox” began to be used in the end. XIV – beginning XV century, and the terms “Orthodox” and “Orthodoxy” came into use most actively in the XVI century.
Dogmatics
The main and only universally authoritative dogmatic document is the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, which states:
- Salvation through confession of faith “in one God” (1st member of the Symbol).
- Consubstantial Persons of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, the Holy Spirit.
- Confession of Jesus as Christ, Lord and Son of God (2nd member of the Symbol).
- Incarnation (3rd member of the Symbol).
- Belief in the bodily resurrection, ascension and upcoming second coming of Jesus Christ, the general resurrection and “the life of the future age” (5, 6, 7, 11, 12th members of the Symbol).
- Faith in the unity, holiness and catholicity of the Church (9th member of the Symbol); The head of the Church is Jesus Christ (Eph.5:23).
In addition, based on Holy Tradition, Orthodoxy recognizes the prayerful intercession of canonized saints.
Canonical structure and norms
Basic canonical norms and institutions:
- Hierarchical priesthood, which has 3 degrees: bishop, presbyter, deacon. Prerequisite the legitimacy of the hierarchy - direct canonically legitimate apostolic succession through a series of ordinations. Each bishop (regardless of the title he holds) has full canonical authority within his jurisdiction (diocese). Only male persons are ordained.
Although the canons prohibit persons of holy orders from “getting involved in popular government” (81st and 6th Rules of the Holy Apostles, as well as 11th Rule of the Double Council, etc.), in the history of Orthodox countries there were separate episodes when bishops stood at the head states (the most famous is the President of Cyprus Macarius III) or had significant powers of civil power (the Patriarchs of Constantinople in the Ottoman Empire in the role of milet-bashi, that is, ethnarchs of the Orthodox subjects of the Sultan).
- Institute of Monasticism. Includes the so-called black clergy, playing a leading role in all spheres of the life of the Church since the 4th century. Representatives of the black clergy can be elected to a special episcopal service in the Church.
- Established calendar fasts: Great (pre-Easter 40-day), Petrov, Assumption, Nativity, together with holidays, make up the liturgical year.
History of Doctrine Formulation
The modern Orthodox Church considers the entire history of the Church before the Great Schism as its history.
Initially, designating the religion as Orthodox and emphasizing it as “right”, not damaged by heresies and deviations from what was accepted from the apostles, was a necessary measure.
Orthodox doctrine dates back to apostolic times (1st century). It was formulated by oros (literally - boundaries, doctrinal definitions) of the Ecumenical, as well as some Local Councils.
Orthodoxy began to take shape in the 2nd-3rd centuries AD. e., tracing its history back to apostolic times. It was opposed to Gnosticism (which offered its own interpretation New Testament and often rejected the Old) and Arianism (denied the consubstantiality of the Trinity).
The leading role in the work of the first four Ecumenical Councils was played by the bishops of Alexandria and Rome. All Councils were convened by the Roman (Byzantine) emperors and usually took place under their administrative chairmanship.
ORGANIZATION OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
The Russian Orthodox Church has 128 dioceses in Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan (these countries are considered the “canonical territory” of the Russian Orthodox Church), as well as in the diaspora - Austria, Argentina, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, USA and Canada. There are parishes, representative offices and other canonical divisions of the Russian Orthodox Church in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Thailand, Australia, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico. The Russian Orthodox Church nominally includes the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church, which is governed by an independent Metropolitan of All Japan, elected at the Council of this Church, and the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church, which currently does not have its own hierarchy.
The highest doctrinal, legislative, executive and judicial power in the Russian Orthodox Church belongs to the Local Council, which includes all ruling (diocesan) bishops, as well as representatives from the clergy and laity of each diocese. According to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, which was in force from 1988 to 2000, the Local Council was to be convened once every five years. In August 2000, the Council of Bishops adopted a new Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, which does not stipulate the frequency of convening the Local Council, the exclusive competence of which only includes the election of the new Patriarch.
The real fullness of church power has been transferred to the Council of Bishops, which includes permanent members of the Holy Synod and ruling bishops. According to the Charter, in force since August 2000, the Council of Bishops is convened by the Synod at least once every four years (the previous Charter required its convening at least once every two years). The list of powers of the Council of Bishops is very wide. Even during the work of the Local Council, which theoretically can cancel the decisions of the bishops, the fullness of church power belongs to the Bishops' Council, consisting of bishops - members of the Council. If a majority of votes of the members of the Local Council are cast for a particular decision, but this decision does not receive a majority of votes of the members of the Bishops' Conference, it is considered adopted.
In the period between Councils of Bishops, the Church is governed by the Patriarch and the Holy Synod, which is considered an advisory body under the Patriarch. In practice, the Patriarch makes the most important administrative decisions only with the consent of the Synod. The Holy Synod includes, in addition to the Patriarch, seven permanent members (metropolitans of Krutitsky and Kolomna, St. Petersburg and Ladoga, Kiev and all Ukraine, Minsk and Slutsk, Chisinau and all Moldova, as well as the manager of the Moscow Patriarchate and the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations - DECR MP) and six temporary ones, called by the Synod itself to participate in meetings during only one synodal session.
The meetings of the Synod are divided into two sessions - spring and autumn, each of which consists of two or three sessions, usually lasting two days. As a rule, the Holy Synod hears reports on the most important events in church life that took place between its meetings (such events include visits of the Patriarch, visits to the Russian Orthodox Church by the heads of other local Churches, participation of official representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church in major events of an all-Russian or international scale), as well as establishes new dioceses, appoints and transfers bishops, approves the opening of new monasteries and the appointment of their governors and abbess, opens and reorganizes theological educational institutions, opens new canonical structures of the Russian Orthodox Church in the far abroad and appoints their clergy. In exceptional cases, the Synod issues Messages reflecting the point of view of the church leadership on certain significant social problems. The hierarchy of the Orthodox Church is called “three-order” because it consists of three main levels: the diaconate, the priesthood and the bishopric.
Monasteries in the modern Russian Orthodox Church are governed by a vicar with the rank of archimandrite (less often in the rank of abbot or hieromonk; the vicar of one monastery has the rank of bishop), who “represents” the abbot in it - the diocesan bishop. The largest and most famous monasteries, as well as the monasteries of the capital, are “stauropygial” - their abbot is the Patriarch himself, represented in the monastery by the vicar.
Women's monasteries are run by an abbess, who has the honorary title of abbess (more rarely, the abbess is a simple nun). In large monasteries An advisory body operates under the governor - the Spiritual Council. Monasteries may have their own metochions (representative offices) in cities or villages, as well as monasteries and hermitages located at some distance from the main monastery. For example, the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius has Gethsemane and Bethany monasteries, and metochions in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Under the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church there are a number of “branch departments” - Synodal departments, the most important of which is the DECR MP. The DECR MP itself defines the range of its tasks as follows: “Carrying out the hierarchical, administrative and financial management of dioceses, monasteries, parishes and other institutions of our Church in the far abroad; making decisions by the hierarchy concerning church-state and church-public relations; implementation of relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and local Orthodox churches, heterodox churches and religious associations, non-Christian religions, religious and secular international organizations, state, political, social, cultural, scientific, economic, financial and other similar institutions and organizations, the media.” The Chairman of the DECR MP is considered the most influential hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church.
In most cases, future clergy receive a “professional” education in theological educational institutions, the network of which is managed by the Educational Committee of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Currently, there are 5 theological academies in the Russian Orthodox Church (before 1917 there were only 4), 26 theological seminaries, 29 theological schools, 2 Orthodox University and Theological Institute, women's religious school, 28 icon painting schools. The total number of students in theological schools reaches 6,000 people.
The Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechesis manages the network educational institutions, intended for the laity. This network includes Sunday schools at churches, clubs for adults, groups preparing adults for baptism, Orthodox kindergartens, Orthodox groups in state kindergartens, Orthodox gymnasiums, schools and lyceums, Orthodox catechist courses.
Patriarchal cross
Orthodox cross
Metropolitans
Metropolitans of Kyiv:, .
Vladimir period: , .
Moscow period: , Mikhail (Mityai), Cyprian, Pimen, Photius, Gerasim, Isidore of Kiev, .
Metropolitans of Moscow:
, Job.
PATRIARCHES OF ALL Rus'
Saint Job - First Patriarch of Moscow. January 23, 1589 – June 1605IGNATIUS - not included in the list of legitimate patriarchs. He was installed as False Dmitry I while Patriarch Job was alive. 30 June 1605 – May 1606
- June 3, 1606 - February 17, 1612
- June 24, 1619 - October 1, 1633
IOASAF I- February 6, 1634 - November 28, 1640
JOSEPH- May 27, 1642 - April 15, 1652
NIKON- July 25, 1652 - December 12, 1666
IOASAF II- February 10, 1667 - February 17, 1672
PITIRIM- July 7, 1672 - April 19, 1673
JOAKIM- July 26, 1674 - March 17, 1690
ADRIAN- August 24, 1690 - October 16, 1700
After Hadrian's death, no successor was elected. Metropolitan of Yaroslavl STEPHAN in 1700-1721. was the guardian of the Patriarchal Throne.
In 1721, the institution of patriarchy was abolished by Peter I. Only the Holy Synod was active. The institute was restored at the cathedral of the Russian Church in 1917-1918.
Saint TIKHON - November 5, 1917 – March 25, 1925 After his death in 1925, the authorities prevented the convening of a new Council for the election of the Patriarch, allowing them to be held only in 1943 at the Council of Bishops, consisting of 19 people.
SERGY- September 8, 1943 - May 15, 1944
ALEXI I- February 2, 1945 - April 17, 1970
PIMEN- June 2, 1971 - May 3, 1990
ALEXI II- June 10, 1990 - December 5, 2008
KIRILL- from February 1, 2009
- Ideal Cathedral Soul of the Russian nation.
Unusual Orthodox churches.
Kyiv St. Sophia Cathedral.
St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Kizhi.
Stone tented temples.
Stone tented bell towers.
Sofia belfry.
Sacraments
.Icon
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