New administrator of Moscow Patriarchate parishes in Italy arrives at his workplace
August 11, 2017 – the newly appointed administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in Italy, Bishop Matfey of Bogorodsk, arrived in Rome.
At the airport, His Grace was met by the head of the Moscow Patriarchate office for institutions abroad and former administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in Italy Bishop Atoniy of Zvenigorod, and the ecclesiarch of the patriarchal church of the Holy Martyr Catherine in Rome, Hieromonk Ambrose.
Bishop Matfey visited the St. Catherine church in which he celebrated a thanksgiving.
After inspecting the church facilities and territory, a tea party took place in the library, in which the clergy and staff of the church were introduced to the rector. Bishop Matfey discussed with Bishop Antony and Hieromonk Ambrose a number of working matters, the site of the Moscow Patriarchate parish administration in Italy reports.
Bishop Matfey, former ruling bishop of the diocese of Skopin, is appointed administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in Italy with the title ‘Bishop of Bogorodsk’ and rector of the St. Catherine church in Rome by the Holy Synod decision of July 29, 2017 (Minutes No. 52).
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In 2007, the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in Italy were separated from the diocese of Korsun to become an independent canonical structure. In the period from 2007 to 2013, they were administered by the ruling bishops of the diocese of Korsun and since 2013 by the heads of the Moscow Patriarchate office for institutions abroad.
In 2012, the administration of the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in Italy was registered as legal entity.
As of July 2017, in Italy there are over 60 parishes and communities of the Russian Orthodox Church.
DECR Communication Service