Holy Synod takes a number of decisions pertaining to Moscow Patriarchate’s dioceses and parishes abroad, and external relations of the Russian Orthodox Church
During the session held on 8th December 2020 under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church took a number of decisions pertaining to the external activities of the Russian Orthodox Church. Opening the meeting, His Holiness delivered an address.
The Synod members heard a report by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on dioceses and parishes abroad (Minutes No. 101) and resolved to incorporate the Parish of the Holy Royal Passion-bearers located in the Principality of Monaco into the diocese of Chersonesos.
The participants in the meeting also heard a report by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, on the participation of the Russian Orthodox Church’s delegation in the funeral of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia (Minutes No. 94).
Historical background:
His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia passed away unto the Lord on 20th November 2020, as the result of the complications caused by the coronavirus disease.
With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, went to Serbia to attend the funeral of the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
On 21st November, Metropolitan Hilarion met with the Locum Tenens of the Serbian Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Hrizostom of Dabar-Bosnia, and members of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and celebrated a litiya at the coffin of the late Serbian Patriarch.
On 22nd November, the Divine Liturgy and the funeral of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej took place at the Church of St. Sava in Belgrade. Among the concelebrants were hierarchs of the Serbian Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Metropolitan Antony of Borispol and Brovary, as well as clergy of the Antiochian, Russian, and Serbian Orthodox Churches. After the funeral the DECR chairman read out a message of condolences from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
During his visit to Belgrade, the DECR chairman had conversations with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić; Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia Ivica Dačić; Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selaković; Montenegro’s Prime Minister-designate Zdravko Krivokapić; Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik; and Russia’s Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko.
The Holy Synod took the report under advisement and resolved to offer prayers unto the Lord for the repose of the soul of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej in the mansions of the righteous.
The Synod members also heard and approved a report by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk on the activities of the Commission for Old-Rite Parishes and Cooperation with the Old-Rite Community in 2020 (Minutes No. 95).
DECR Communication Service