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6th working meeting of the Commissions of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

21.02.2006 · Архив 2005-2009, События  

On 17 February 2006, the 6th working meeting of the Moscow Patriarchate Commission on dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) and the ROCOR Commission on the talks with the Moscow Patriarchate began its work in the Church of Protecting Veil of the Mother of God in Nyack near New York. All members of both Commissions attended the meeting, except Bishop Ambrose of Vevey who is recuperating after a serious operation. Also taking part in the meeting was Rev. Seraphim Gan, secretary of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus.

With the blessing of His Eminence Laurus, the Kursk Icon of the Mother of God was brought to the meeting by Archimandrite Luke from the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville. Members of the Commissions prayed before the icon and proceeded to their work. The gracious presence of the miraculous icon helped its success.

On February 18, members of the Commissions prayed at the Divine Liturgy in the church of St.Sergius of Radonezh in New York. After breakfast offered by the sisterhood of the Cathedral church of the ‘Sign’ Icon of the Mother of God, His Grace Bishop Gabriel of Manhattan showed the guests from Russia the holy shrines of the Cathedral. The work was continued in the hall of the house of the Synod. Bishop Gabriel took part in one of the sessions.

On Sunday, February 19, Chairman of the Commission on dialogue with the ROCOR Bishop Innokenty of Korsun officiated at the Divine Liturgy in the St.Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York. Members of the Commission and clergymen of the Cathedral concelebrated. Chairman of the ROCOR Commission on the talks with the Moscow Patriarchate Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the St.Seraphim church in the town of Sea Cliff together with the Commission members, clergymen of the church and ordained guests. Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) prayed at the Divine Liturgy in the church of St.Seraphim. After the Divine service the participants had a repast for Bishop Metrophanes of Boston (+2002), after which Archbishop Mark and Archimandrite Tikhon had a talk and answered questions of the parishioners. That same day in the evening, after a common meal in the hall at the St.Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral, members of the Commissions were received by His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus on the premises of the Synod of Bishops.

Members of the Commissions continued discussion of the matters within their jurisdiction and completed their work on February 20.

In compliance with numerous requests of the ROCOR parishioners to give more details of the talks and the forthcoming decisions on the restoration of unity of the Russian Church, the Commissions made some proposals on informing the believers.

On February 21, members of the Commissions visited the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville. After the Divine Liturgy they held a ‘round table’ meeting in the conference hall of the Seminary, at which they provided information about the talks and answered many questions of the faculty, students and brethren of the monastery.