Regular session of Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church opens under chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill

On 13 November 2014, the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church began its regular session at the Hall of the Supreme Church Council of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

In his opening address, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church informed all those present that the major items on the agenda of the meeting were a reform of theological education and consideration of documents prepared by the Education Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill said, in particular:

“Our regular session will be, to a large extent, devoted to the issue of theological education. We will have to consider a number of important documents submitted by the Education Committee. Then I will ask Metropolitan Hilarion to present some documents prepared by the commission he leads. And, as usual, we will see how the synodal decisions and resolutions of the Supreme Church Council, taken earlier, are being implemented.

“Our major goal is the promotion of the reform of theological education. The documents submitted for your consideration are in full compliance with legislative acts of the Russian Federation and with the requirements set for the higher education in our country. These normative and draft documents prepared by the Education Committee are of considerable significance.

Today we will have to adopt some important documents pertaining to our Church’s work with migrants. Many dioceses have been developing such activities… and the Church should have the documents regulating this work.

Our current meeting will cause no sensations, but will be of great importance.”