Session of the Holy Synod in Moscow

A session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church opened at the Synodal and Patriarchal residence in St. Daniel’s Monastery in Moscow on 24 December 2008. Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad is presiding.

Members of the Holy Synod offered up their prayers for the newly deceased Patriarch Alexy. Metropolitan Kirill celebrated requiem service at the Church of All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Russian Land.

He said that twenty days have passed since the demise of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia. According to church tradition, the deceased are specially commemorated on the twentieth day. Our commemoration is first of all our prayer for the rest of his soul. We pray to the Lord to receive his soul in His mansions. We also pray for eternal memory of His Holiness to abide in human hearts. We believe that His Holiness the Patriarch will care and pray for the Russian Church at the difficult time before the Local Council. I am convinced that he prays for internal peace in the Church, for the unity of bishops and people of God, as many are praying for this. The Heavenly Kingdom and eternal rest to His Holiness Patriarch Alexy!’

Patriarchal Locum Tenens delivered an introductory speech. He cordially greeted members of the Holy Synod and noted that they have to voice their opinion on the proposals of the Synodal Commission on the preparation of the Bishops’ and Local Councils. The Commission had its first session the day before, and the Holy Synod will now consider its proposals on the rules of procedure of the Councils, election of the Patriarch and some other organizational questions. As to the agenda of the present session, Metropolitan Kirill said, ‘There are matters of the internal life of our Church and its external relations. We should exchange our opinions on the festivities to take place after the enthronement, and think about participation of the representatives of other Local Orthodox Churches.’

• Session of the Holy Synod in Moscow