Patriarch Alexy heads the Diocesan conference of Moscow in the Church Councils Hall

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia headed the annual Moscow diocesan conference in Church Councils Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on December 21, 2005.

Among the participants were: Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk, Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, vicars of Moscow Diocese: Archbishop Arseny of Istra, Archbishop Evgeny of Vereja, Chairman of the Education Committee at the Holy Synod and Rector of Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary, Archbishop Alexey of Orekhovo-Zuevo, Bishop Savva of Krasnogorsk, Bishop Alexander of Dmitrov, Bishop Feognost of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Laura, Bishop Veniamin of Lubertsy, and Bishops Arkady (Afonin) and Nikon (Mironov). Also present were chairmen and representatives of the Synodal Departments of the Moscow Patriarchate, rectors, clerics, heads and members of Parochial Councils of Moscow churches, Fathers and Mothers Superiors of monasteries and monastic representations.

In a short introductory word Patriarch Alexy reported that the number of churches and chapels in Moscow increased from 645 to 724 in 2005. The number of clergy in Moscow amounted to 1681 against 1586 last year including 1191 priests and 490 deacons.

Regarding general church statistics, Alexy II said that the Moscow Patriarchate has 132 dioceses with 26600 parishes (including 12665 in Russia). There are 688 monastic abodes (207 monasteries and 226 convents in Russia, 85 monasteries and 80 convents in Ukraine, 35 monasteries and 50 convents in other CIS countries, 2 monasteries and 3 convents in other foreign states). The number of bishops is 175, including 132 diocesan bishops, 32 vicar bishops and 11 retired. 25 stavropegic monasteries are under the jurisdiction of the patriarch, including four monasteries and four convents in Moscow.

Sixteen churches in Moscow are not yet functioning, and 34 church buildings have not been vacated by previous leaseholders.

The Patriarch also spoke on the religious education. Among the educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church are five theological academies, two Orthodox universities, one theological institute, 34 theological seminaries, 36 theological schools and courses in two dioceses. It was noted that the process of setting up new system of organizing educational process in the Moscow Theological Academy would be completed this year: students who specialize in church history, church law, Liturgics and pastoral theology would graduate in 2006.