Holy Synod meeting

THE HOLY SYNOD OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH MET FOR ITS REGULAR SESSION ON MARCH 7. IT WAS CHAIRED BY HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY II OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

The Synod heard the report by His Holiness the Patriarch on the pilgrim visit of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church he led to the Holy Land from January 2 to 7, 2000, for the pan-Orthodox celebrations devoted to the Jubilee of the Nativity of Christ. The Holy Synod thanked God for having given us an opportunity to become witnesses to the celebrations on the occasion of such a great and sacred historical date as the 2000th anniversary of His most glorious Nativity. Satisfaction was expressed with the brotherly eucharistic communion that took place between the Primates of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church, which became a visible testimony to the unity of the Church of Christ. The Synod noted the importance of the fact that heads of states with predominantly Orthodox population took part in the celebrations. Trust and hope were expressed that in the further course of earthly history the Lord will not abandon His Church, but, according to His true promise, will preserve her so that «the gates of hell shall not prevail against it» (Mt. 16:14) till the end of time.

The period from August 13 to 20, 2000, was fixed as the time for the official general church celebrations devoted to the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ. The Jubilee Bishops’ Council will take place from August 13 to 16, 2000. The consecration of the Church of Christ the Saviour will be conducted on August 19, 2000, the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration, while the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of the Dormition in the Moscow Kremlin with the rite of canonization of newly glorified saints on August 20, 2000. On the same day there will be a solemn gathering and a concert.

After a discussion on the situation in the North Caucasus, the Holy Synod adopted a Statement the full text of which is given in a separate press-release.

The Holy Synod considered the system of electronic accumulation of information about the citizens introduced by the government and the assignment to them of individual tax codes and the introduction of cards for settling payments with local government and social welfare bodies. A Statement was adopted on these issues to be sent to the leadership of the Russian Federation and Moscow and to be brought to the notice of the church membership. It was deemed necessary for the Church to monitor the situation and if need be to take actions aimed to realize the principles set forth in the Statement (the full text of it is given in a separate press-release).

Having considered the report by the chairman of the Synodal Canonization Commission, Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna, the Holy Synod referred to the Bishops’ Council the decision on the canonization of a number of bishops, priests and lay people as the 20th century Russian new martyrs and confessors to be venerated by the whole church. Their names were presented by the dioceses of Astana, Belgorod, Ivanovo, Moscow, Tver and Chikment as well as Valamo and Solovki Monasteries. Referred to the same authority was also the decision on the canonization as holy martyrs of the brethren of the Valamo monastery of the Saviour who were killed during the Swedish invasion on February 20, 1578.

Having heard the report of Metropolitan Filaret of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch for All Belarus, in his capacity of chairman of the Synodal Theological Commission, the Holy Synod approved the results of the Russian Orthodox Theological Conference on «Orthodox Theology on the Threshold of a Third Millennium» which took place on 7-8 February 2000 in Moscow and gave its blessing on the conduct of regular theological conferences on the most burning issues facing the Church. The chairman of the Synodal Theological Commission was charged with presenting the conclusions and recommendations of the conference to the forthcoming Bishops’ Council.

The Holy Synod received with satisfaction the news that the executive committee of the St. Peterburg Golden Book association decided to include the name of Metropolitan Alexis (Simnasky) of Leningrad and Novgorod, later Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, in its Memorial List in recognition of «his great services for the defense of Leningrad from enslavement by enemy».

Having considered the report by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, that Bishop Peter (Arihara) of Yokohama, vicar of the Tokyo diocese, was elected Primate of the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church by its Extraordinary National Council, the Holy Synod thanked the Lord for this mercy and expressed hope that under the newly elected Primate the Japanese Autonomous Church will grow from strength to strength, bearing witness before the world to the truth of Holy Orthodoxy. The enthronement will take place during the official visit of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia to the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church.

Having heard the report by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia on the visit by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to the Russian Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod expressed profound satisfaction with the course and results of the visit and stressed the timeliness and importance of the decision to begin dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church both on theological issues and a wide range of burning problems. The Synod also deemed beneficial the agreement reached in the course of the visit to begin a regular exchange of delegations, students, theologians and experts as well as information about church life. A special emphasis was made on the fact that it was the Russian Church that the 132th Primate of the Armenian Church had chosen for this first official visit.

On the basis of the report by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, the Holy Synod approved the external activity of the Russian Orthodox Church carried out through the Department for External Church Relations in 1999. Its chairman and staff were thanked for their zealous work.

Having considered the appropriate report by Metropolitan Kirill, the Holy Synod approved the conception of the participation of the Russian Orthodox Church in the interchurch aid program for the Serbian Orthodox Church and for the displaced from Kosovo. The Department for External Church Relations was charged with coordination of the program on behalf of our Church.

A delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church was appointed to attend the Pan-Orthodox Theological Symposium on «The Witness of the Church in a Third Millennium» to take place from June 11 to 19, 2000, in Jerusalem. The newly-established Parish of the Intercession in Geteborg, Sweden, was accepted into the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Having considered the report by Metropolitan Sergius of Solnechnogorsk, chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate and acting chairman of the Department for Church Charity and Social Service, the Holy Synod approved the work carried out by the department in 1999, expressed gratitude to its staff and approved its work plan for 2000.

The Synod also approved the work carried out in 1999 by the Education Committee and thanked its chairman Archbishop Eugene of Vereya and his staff for their efforts.

On the basis of the report by Archbishop Eugene of Vereya on the assignment of the theological schools graduates, the Holy Synod resolved that the canonical norm is for a graduate to return to his diocese. If necessary, the Education Committee can assign the Academy graduates to Synodal institutions or theological schools. The Academy graduates who are not in holy orders should work as interns for two years in Synodal departments or theological schools. In assigning the places of pastoral service for the Academy graduates, preference should be given to the diocese where there are theological schools. A graduation certificate can be granted in two years’time if a graduate makes a good showing in his assigned duty.

Having heard the report by Archbishop Eugene on the introduction of Theology into the state list of educational areas and professions, the Holy Synod expressed satisfaction with the fact that the study of Christian science and culture becomes again possible in the state-run higher educational institutions. It was proposed that diocesan bishops should organize the necessary cooperation with state-run and private educational institutions on the basis of the established legal basis.

The Synod approved a plan of events and programs developed by the Millennium Commission’s working group on history.

It also gave its blessing upon the opening of 5 monasteries (in the dioceses of Vladimir, Maikop, Petrozavodsk and Saransk) and 10 convents (in the diocese of Bryansk, Vladimir, Moscow, Saransk, Stavropol and Yaroslavl) including one stauropegial monastery in the Moscow diocese. The status of stauropegial monastery was granted to St. Joseph’s monastery at Volotsk in the Moscow diocese.

The theological and pastoral course at the Tula diocesan administration was transformed into a pre-seminary. The Perervinsky pre-seminary was resumed.

The Holy Synod also discussed the Church’s attitude to the forthcoming presidential elections in Russia. Once again the need was emphasized to follow the earlier-adopted position on the non-interference of the Church in political struggle and her refusal to support particular political forces. At the same time, the Synod deemed it necessary to emphasize the importance of a broad participation of Russian citizens in the election as each of them is responsible for the destiny of his or her country.