Annual diocesan assembly of the Moscow clergy

ANNUAL DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY OF THE MOSCOW CLERGY

The annual diocesan assembly of the Moscow clergy took place on December 15, 2000, at the church of the Dormition in the Novodevichy Convent of Our Lady of Smolensk. It was chaired by Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna.

Over 600 clergy attended, among them Archbishop Gregory of Mozhaisk and Bishop Tikhon of Vidnoye, and Bishop Ilian, honorary rector of St. Nicholas’ at Narofominsk. There were also members of the Diocesan Council, rector of the Kolomna Seminary, deans, secretaries of diocesan committees, superiors of monasteries, rectors of parishes and clerics serving in 863 parishes and 19 monasteries of the Moscow Region.

Moscow Regional Governor B. Gromov sent a message of greetings to Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna, in which he thanked “all for the considerable contribution to the spiritual revival and zealous work for the benefit of the Moscow Region dwellers in this Jubilee years”.

In his response on behalf of the assembly, Metropolitan Juvenaly noted: “We have enjoyed the constructive cooperation of your local representatives with leaders of the Orthodox Church in the outgoing Jubilee year thanks to your willingness to cooperate and resolve burning church problems”.

The report of the Administrator of the Moscow diocese, Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna, dealt with decisions of the Jubilee Bishops’ Council and the revival of church life and social service in the Moscow diocese. He also spoke of the celebrations held in all the Moscow diocese deaneries to mark the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ. The primary purpose of these celebrations was to bring the light of Christ’s Truth to every town and village. Parishes held charity events and visited orphanages, hospitals, houses for the elderly and military units. Large public meetings and educational events were organized. The celebrations culminated in the festivities led by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy on June 25 at the town of Ramenskoye.

Metropolitan Juvenaly also highlighted the work of the nine diocesan committees engaged in various areas of pastoral work. The assembly was informed about the establishment of a liturgical committee.

The network of Orthodox Sunday schools for both children and adults is growing. Parishes are patronizing over 200 medical institutions.

Pastoral work in the Armed Forces continues. The consecration of a church dedicated to the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky at the Golitsyno hospital is another testimony to it. There are more young people involved in church life. Many parishes have opened soup-kitchens and arranged visits to the houses for the elderly and orphanages.

The Moscow diocese has continued its cooperation with the mass media. The number of church publications has increased considerably. The Kolomna Seminary training clergy for the Moscow diocese functions successfully at the Old Golutvino monastery under restoration.

Metropolitan Juvenaly commended the clergy of the Moscow diocese for their zealous work and blessed further improvement and enrichment of their pastoral ministry.

According to the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church, the assembly elected new members of the Diocesan Council.