Bishops' Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church. Chapter II

One of the fifteen Local Orthodox Churches is the Russian Orthodox Church. This is a multinational Local Church, which is in doctrinal unity and prayer-canonical communion with other Local Orthodox Churches. "Moscow Patriarchate" is another official name of the Russian Orthodox Church. (In the pre-revolutionary period official name Russian Orthodox Church was "Russian Greek Catholic Orthodox".)

Of the 136 dioceses of the Moscow Patriarchate, 68 are located on the territory Russian Federation(more than 12.5 thousand parishes), 35 in Ukraine (more than 10 thousand parishes), 11 in Belarus (more than 1.3 thousand parishes), 6 in Moldova (more than 1.5 thousand parishes), 3 in Kazakhstan, one in Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are united into the Tashkent and Central Asian diocese.

In the Far Abroad, the Russian Orthodox Church has 8 dioceses: Argentinean and South American, Berlin and German, Brussels and Belgian, Budapest and Hungarian, Vienna and Austrian, The Hague and the Netherlands, Korsun (uniting parishes in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland ) and Surozhskaya (on the territory of Great Britain and Ireland). Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA and Canada are governed by vicars of the Moscow diocese as diocesan bishops.

Like other Local Orthodox Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church has a hierarchical governance structure. The highest bodies of church power and administration in the Russian Orthodox Church are the Local Council, the Council of Bishops and the Holy Synod headed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. divided into dioceses, which can be combined into metropolitan districts, exarchates, autonomous and self-governing Churches. Dioceses include parishes, monasteries, religious educational institutions and other canonical institutions. Parishes are combined into deaneries.

1. Higher church administration

Local Council

The supreme authority in the field of dogma and canonical organization in the Russian Orthodox Church belongs to the Local Council, which consists of bishops, representatives of the clergy, monastics and laity. The Local Council is convened to elect the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', as well as to resolve other issues of a doctrinal and canonical nature. The terms for convening a Local Council are determined by the Council of Bishops or, in exceptional cases, by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (locum tenens patriarchal throne) and the Holy Synod.

According to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Local Council interprets the teaching of the Orthodox Church on the basis of Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, while maintaining doctrinal and canonical unity with the Local Orthodox Churches; solves canonical, liturgical, pastoral issues, ensuring the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church, maintaining purity Orthodox faith, Christian morality and piety; approves, changes, cancels and explains its decisions concerning church life; approves resolutions Bishops' Council relating to dogma and canonical structure; canonizes saints; elects the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and establishes the procedure for such election; determines and corrects the principles of relations between the Church and the state; expresses, when necessary, concern about the problems of the present.

The Chairman of the Local Council is the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', and in the absence of the Patriarch, the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne. The quorum of the Council is 2/3 of the legally elected delegates, including 2/3 of the bishops from total number hierarchs - members of the Council. Decisions at the Local Council, with the exception of special cases, are taken by a majority of votes.

An important role in the work of the Local Council is played by the Council of Bishops, which consists of all the bishops who are members of the Council. The task of the Conference is to discuss those resolutions of the Council that are of particular importance and which raise doubts in terms of their conformity with the Holy Scriptures, Holy Tradition, dogmas and canons, as well as maintaining church world and unity. If any decision of the Council or part of it is rejected by the majority of the bishops present, then it is submitted for a second conciliar consideration. If even after this the majority of the hierarchs present at the Council reject it, then it loses its force.

AT recent history The Russian Orthodox Church had 5 Local Councils - 1917-1918, 1945, 1971, 1988 and 1990. The Council of 1917–1918 restored the patriarchate in the Russian Church, elected the Patriarch of All Russia, and adopted many other important decisions for church life. The Council of 1945 elected Patriarch Alexy I (Simansky), the Council of 1971 elected Patriarch Pimen (Izvekov). The Council of 1988 was dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus', it adopted the new Charter of the Russian Church. The Local Council of 1990 elected the now living Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II (Ridiger).

At the Local Council of 1990, each diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church was represented by a ruling bishop, one clergyman and one layman (lay woman). In addition, vicar bishops, rectors of theological schools, heads of synodal divisions, and representatives of monasteries participated in the Council.

Bishops' Cathedral

The highest body of hierarchical administration in the Russian Orthodox Church is the Council of Bishops. According to the Charter adopted in 2000, the Council of Bishops is not accountable to the Local Council and its decisions do not need to be approved by a higher church authority, with the exception of decisions related to dogma and canonical structure, which are approved by the Local Council. According to the previous Charter, adopted in 1988, the Council of Bishops was accountable to the Local Council. And the Council of 1917-1918 did not at all provide for any other supreme church authority, except for the Local Council consisting of bishops, clergy and laity. The change in the charter in 2000 was due to both practical considerations and the desire to return to the more ancient practice, according to which the highest authority in the Church belongs precisely to the Council of Bishops, and not to any church body with the participation of the laity.

The Council of Bishops consists of diocesan bishops, as well as vicar bishops who head synodal institutions and theological academies or who have canonical jurisdiction over the parishes under their jurisdiction. The Council of Bishops is convened by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (locum tenens) and the Holy Synod at least once every four years and on the eve of the Local Council, as well as in exceptional cases provided for by the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The duties of the Council of Bishops include: keeping the purity and integrity of the Orthodox dogma and the norms of Christian morality; the adoption of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church and the introduction of amendments and additions to it; preservation of the dogmatic and canonical unity of the Russian Orthodox Church; the solution of fundamental theological, canonical, liturgical and pastoral issues concerning both the internal and external activities of the Church; canonization of saints and approval of liturgical rites; competent interpretation of the holy canons and other church regulations; an expression of pastoral concern for the problems of the present; determination of the nature of relations with state bodies; maintaining relations with the Local Orthodox Churches; the creation, reorganization and liquidation of self-governing Churches, exarchates and dioceses, as well as the determination of their boundaries and names; creation, reorganization and liquidation of synodal institutions; approval of the procedure for possession, use and disposal of the property of the Russian Orthodox Church; on the eve of the Local Council, making proposals on the agenda, program, rules of procedure for meetings and the structure of the Council, as well as on the procedure for electing the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', if such an election is expected; monitoring the implementation of the decisions of the Local Council; judgment on the activities of the Holy Synod and synodal institutions; approval, cancellation and amendments to the legislative acts of the Holy Synod; creation and abolition of organs church government; establishing a procedure for all ecclesiastical courts; consideration of financial reports submitted by the Holy Synod; approval of new church-wide awards.

Decisions at the Council are taken by a simple majority of votes by open or secret ballot. None of the hierarchs who are members of the Council of Bishops may refuse to participate in its meetings, except in cases of illness or other important reason, which is recognized by the Council as valid. The quorum of the Bishops' Council consists of 2/3 of the hierarchs - its members.

In the recent history of the Russian Orthodox Church, there have been 16 Councils of Bishops - in 1925, 1943, 1944, 1961, 1971, 1988, 1989, 1990 (thrice), 1992 (twice), 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2004. The Council of 1925 bore the name of the Bishops' Conference and was convened to elect a locum tenens of the patriarchal throne after the death of His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon. The Council of 1943 elected His Holiness Patriarch Sergius. The Councils of 1944, 1971, 1988 and June 1990 were convened to prepare Local Councils. The Bishops' Council of 1961 was convened to adopt a new Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church. The frequency of convening Councils of Bishops in the period from 1989 to 1997 was due to serious changes in the legal status of the Russian Church during the collapse of the USSR and the emergence of new states on its territory, as well as the need to respond to the Ukrainian schism, which was rapidly gaining strength. The Bishops' Council of 2000 was called "Jubilee" and was dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of Christianity. Finally, the Council of 2004 was the first Council of Bishops convened in accordance with the new Charter, which prescribes that Councils of Bishops be convened once every 4 years.

Patriarch

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church bears the title "His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'". There have been 15 patriarchs in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church:

St. Job from December 11, 1586 Metropolitan of Moscow; from January 26, 1589 to the beginning of June 1605, Patriarch of All Russia

Sergius, from December 14, 1925, deputy patriarchal locum tenens, then locum tenens; September 11, 1943 - May 15, 1944 Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'

The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' ranks fifth in the diptychs of the Local Orthodox Churches after the Patriarchs of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' in the diptychs of the Russian Orthodox Church is followed by the patriarchs of Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, the archbishops of Cyprus, Albania, Athens and all Hellas, the metropolitans of Warsaw and all Poland, the Czech Lands and Slovakia, America and Canada.

The patriarch has the primacy of honor among the episcopate of the Russian Orthodox Church. In his activities, the patriarch is accountable to the Local and Bishops' Councils. The rank of patriarch in the Russian Orthodox Church is for life. The name of the patriarch is raised during divine services in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' is the diocesan bishop of the Moscow diocese, which consists of the city of Moscow and the Moscow region. In managing the Moscow diocese, the patriarch is assisted by the patriarchal vicar as a diocesan bishop, with the title of Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna. In practice, the Patriarch manages the parishes of the city of Moscow, and the Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna - the parishes of the Moscow region. The patriarch is, in addition, the sacred archimandrite of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, a number of other monasteries that have a special historical meaning, and governs all church stavropegics.

As the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, the patriarch has care for the internal and external welfare of the Church and governs it jointly with the Holy Synod, being its chairman. Together with the Holy Synod, the Patriarch convenes Councils of Bishops, in exceptional cases - Local Councils, and presides over them. The Patriarch also convenes meetings of the Holy Synod.

In exercising his canonical authority, the patriarch is responsible for the execution of the decisions of the Councils and the Holy Synod; submits reports to the Councils on the state of the Church; maintains the unity of the hierarchy of the Church; supervises all synodal institutions; addresses with pastoral epistles to the entirety of the Russian Church; signs general church documents after approval by the Holy Synod; governs the Moscow Patriarchate; is in correspondence with the primates of the Orthodox Churches; represents Russian in relations with higher authorities state power and management; has a duty of intercession and "mourning" before the state authorities; approves the statutes of self-governing Churches, exarchates and dioceses; accepts appeals from diocesan bishops of self-governing Churches; timely sanctifies myrrh for distribution to all dioceses and parishes of the Russian Church.

As the ruling bishop of the Moscow diocese, the patriarch does not have the right to directly and personally interfere in the affairs of other dioceses of the Russian Church. Nevertheless, the patriarch has a number of coordinating functions related to the activities of other bishops. According to the Charter, the patriarch issues decrees on the election and appointment of diocesan bishops, heads of synodal institutions, vicar bishops, rectors of theological schools and other officials appointed by the Holy Synod; has care for the timely replacement of bishops' chairs; entrusts bishops with the temporary administration of dioceses in the event of a prolonged illness, death, or diocesan bishops under ecclesiastical court; oversees the fulfillment by the bishops of their archpastoral duty of caring for the dioceses; has the right to visit, if necessary, all the dioceses of the Russian Church; gives hierarchs fraternal advice both regarding their personal life and regarding their fulfillment of their archpastoral duty; in case of inattention to his advice, invites the Holy Synod to make an appropriate decision; accepts for consideration cases related to misunderstandings between bishops who voluntarily turn to his mediation without formal legal proceedings (the decisions of the patriarch in such cases are binding on both parties); accepts complaints against bishops and gives them the proper course; allows bishops to leave for more than 14 days; awards bishops with established titles and the highest ecclesiastical honors.

The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' does not have direct canonical jurisdiction over the clergy and laity of dioceses not under his jurisdiction. However, in accordance with the Charter, church awards to clerics and laity of all dioceses are awarded precisely by the patriarch. This tradition was inherited from the synodal era, when, in the absence of canonically elected primate, church awards were presented to clergy and laity by the sovereign emperor. In accordance with the same tradition, the patriarch, not being the direct head of theological educational institutions, approves the awarding of academic degrees and titles.

The right to judge the patriarch, as well as the decision on his retirement, belongs to the Council of Bishops.

In the event of the death of a patriarch, his retirement, being under an ecclesiastical court, or any other reason that makes it impossible for him to fulfill his patriarchal office, the Holy Synod, chaired by the oldest permanent member of the Holy Synod by consecration, immediately elects from among its permanent members a locum tenens of the patriarchal throne. During the interpatriarchal period, the Russian Orthodox Church is governed by the Holy Synod, chaired by a locum tenens; the name of the locum tenens is raised during divine services in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church; the locum tenens acts as the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'; Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna enters into independent administration of the Moscow diocese.

Not later than six months after the liberation of the patriarchal throne, the locum tenens and the Holy Synod convene a Local Council to elect a new patriarch. A candidate for patriarch must be a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church; have a higher theological education, sufficient experience in diocesan administration, be distinguished by adherence to the canonical legal order, enjoy a good reputation and the trust of hierarchs, clergy and people, have a good testimony from outside (), be at least 40 years old.

Holy Synod

In the period between Councils of Bishops, the Russian Orthodox Church is governed by the Holy Synod, which is responsible to the Council of Bishops and consists of a chairman - the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (or, in the event of his death, the locum tenens of the patriarchal throne), seven permanent and five temporary members. The permanent members of the Synod are: in the department - the metropolitans of Kyiv and all Ukraine; St. Petersburg and Ladoga; Krutitsky and Kolomensky; Minsky and Slutsky, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus; Chisinau and all Moldova; ex officio - Chairman of the Department of External church connections and manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate. Temporary members of the Synod are called to attend one session, according to the seniority of the hierarchal consecration.

The modern Holy Synod is not a direct successor to the pre-revolutionary Holy Synod and differs from it both in terms of powers and composition. The Holy Synod governed the Church on behalf of "His Imperial Majesty" and included both bishops and priests as full members, as well as a layman with the rank of chief prosecutor. All decisions of the Holy Synod came into force only after approval by the emperor. The title of "Holy" passed to the pre-revolutionary Synod from the patriarch after the abolition of the patriarchate by Peter I; after the restoration of the patriarchate in 1917, this title again returned to the patriarch. The modern Synod is called "Holy" and consists exclusively of bishops. The decisions of the Synod are not approved by the patriarch, since the patriarch himself is a member of the Synod and its chairman.

Sessions of the Holy Synod are convened by the patriarch (or, in the event of his death, by the locum tenens of the patriarchal throne). As a rule, sessions of the Synod are closed. Diocesan bishops, heads of synodal institutions and rectors of the Theological Academies may be present in the Synod with the right of an advisory vote when considering matters relating to the dioceses, institutions, schools they manage or their general church obedience.

Matters in the Holy Synod are decided by the general consent of all the members participating in the meeting or by a majority of votes. None of those present in the Synod may abstain from voting. Each of the members of the Synod, in case of disagreement with the adopted decision, may submit a separate opinion, which must be declared at the same meeting and submitted in writing no later than three days from the date of the meeting. Separate opinions are attached to the case, but do not stop his decision.

The duties of the Holy Synod include taking care of the intact preservation and interpretation of the Orthodox faith, the norms of Christian morality and piety; serving the internal unity of the Church; maintaining unity with other Orthodox Churches; organization of internal and external activities of the Church; interpretation of canonical decrees and resolution of difficulties related to their application; regulation of liturgical matters; issuance of disciplinary regulations concerning the clergy, monastics and church workers; assessment of the most important events in the field of inter-church, inter-confessional and inter-religious relations; maintenance of interconfessional and interreligious relations; coordination of peacekeeping activities of the Russian Orthodox Church; expression of pastoral concern for social problems; addressing with special messages to all the children of the Russian Orthodox Church; maintaining proper relations between Church and state; a number of other functions.

The Holy Synod elects, appoints, in exceptional cases transfers bishops and dismisses them for retirement; summons bishops to attend the Synod; considers the reports of bishops on the state of the dioceses; inspects through its members the activities of bishops whenever it deems it necessary; determines the financial support of the bishops. The Holy Synod appoints the heads of synodal institutions and, at their request, their deputies; rectors of theological academies and seminaries; abbots (abbots) and abbots of monasteries; bishops, clerics and laity for responsible obedience abroad.

The Holy Synod forms and abolishes dioceses, changes their boundaries and names, with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops; adopts regulations on diocesan institutions; approves the statutes of monasteries and carries out general supervision of monastic life; establishes stauropegia; on the proposal of the Educational Committee, approves the statutes and curricula of theological educational institutions, the programs of the Theological Seminaries and establishes new departments in the Theological Academies; makes sure that the actions of all bodies of church authority in the dioceses, denominations and parishes comply with legal regulations; conducts audits if necessary.

Moscow Patriarchy and synodal institutions

The executive authorities of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod are the Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions. The Moscow Patriarchate is an institution of the Russian Orthodox Church, uniting structures directly led by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. The Moscow Patriarchate, as a synodal institution, includes the Administration of Affairs.

A synodal institution is an institution of the Russian Orthodox Church that is in charge of the range of general church affairs within its competence. Synodal institutions are created or abolished by decision of the Council of Bishops or the Holy Synod and are accountable to them. The synodal institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church at the moment are: Department for External Church Relations; Publishing Council; Study Committee; Department of Catechism and Religious Education; Department of Charity and Social Service; Missionary Department; Department for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Institutions; Department of Youth Affairs. If necessary, other synodal institutions may be created.

2. Dioceses, exarchates, autonomous and self-governing Churches

At the head of the male monastery is an abbot in the rank of archimandrite, abbot or hieromonk. Women's monasteries are headed by abbesses or nuns who have the right to wear a pectoral cross. In many cases, the ruling bishop is considered the official abbot of a monastery; in this case, the archimandrite, abbot or hieromonk, placed at the head of the monastery, is called the "viceroy". A male person, including the ruling bishop, cannot be the rector of a women's monastery.

In the practice of the ancient monasteries of Egypt, Palestine and Syria, the position of abbot was elective: the abbot was elected by the brethren by secret ballot. This practice is preserved to this day in the monasteries of Mount Athos. In the modern practice of the Russian Orthodox Church, the abbot of a monastery is appointed by the patriarch and the Holy Synod on the proposal of the bishop whose diocese the monastery belongs to; abbots of stavropegic monasteries are appointed directly by the patriarch.

In most monasteries, in addition to the abbot (viceroy), there is also a dean, housekeeper, treasurer and confessor. The dean of a monastery is a monk whose duties include overseeing the correct performance of worship. The housekeeper is responsible for the monastic economy, the treasurer - for finances. A confessor is a senior clergyman who is responsible for the spiritual guidance of the brethren. In ancient monasteries, the ministry of rector and confessor was not separated, however, in the modern practice of the Russian Orthodox Church, these services are, as a rule, separated and performed by different persons. Confessors convents are males in holy orders (not necessarily from among the monastics).

6. Spiritual educational institutions

Theological educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church are higher and secondary specialized educational institutions that train clergy and clergymen, theologians and church workers. Theological educational institutions are under the supervision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', through the Educational Committee. Canonically, theological educational institutions come under the jurisdiction of the bishop in whose diocese they are located. Theological educational institutions are established by the decision of the Holy Synod on the proposal of the diocesan bishop.

Each Theological Academy and Seminary of the Russian Church is headed by a rector in the rank of bishop or priest. The rector manages the academy or seminary together with the academic council, consisting of professors, associate professors and lecturers. The professorial and teaching corporation of theological educational institutions includes both clergy and laity - men and women. Only men are admitted to educational institutions that train the pastors of the Church; women are also admitted to theological institutes and other educational institutions of a wider profile, in particular to the schools of church regents. The course of study at the Theological School is, as a rule, 2 years, at the Theological Seminary 5 years, at the Theological Academy 3 years. Seminary graduates usually receive a bachelor's degree, academy graduates a Ph.D. Master's and Doctor of Theology degrees are awarded by the academic councils of the Theological Academies on the basis of submitted dissertations.

According to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, theological education is an indispensable condition for ordination to the priesthood. In practice, however, not all clergy are graduates of theological schools. During the time of state atheism, the number of priestly vacancies significantly exceeded the number of places in the Theological Academies and Seminaries, therefore, persons without theological education were often ordained to the priesthood. Some priests, after ordination, studied at the seminary according to the system of correspondence education.

7. Church Court

Church court is an ancient church institution aimed at correcting vices among the higher, middle and lower church clergy, as well as eliminating various kinds of canonical anomalies. Clerics who have committed disciplinary or canonical offenses, that is, those who have violated the norms of Christian morality or church canons. Apostasy or serious deviations from the Orthodox dogma, committed by this or that clergyman or theologian, can also become the subject of consideration by the ecclesiastical judiciary. The decision of an ecclesiastical court is valid only within the Church and does not lead to criminal prosecution of the convict; an ecclesiastical court cannot sentence a person, for example, to exile or imprisonment. The punishment determined by the ecclesiastical court may consist in the prohibition of a clergyman from serving, deprivation of his priestly dignity, in especially grave cases - excommunication of a cleric or layperson from the Church.

In the Russian Orthodox Church, legal proceedings are carried out by ecclesiastical courts of three instances: diocesan courts having jurisdiction within their dioceses; a general ecclesiastical court with jurisdiction within the limits of the Russian Orthodox Church; court of the Council of Bishops, with jurisdiction within the Russian Orthodox Church.

The ecclesiastical court of first instance is the diocesan court, composed of clergy appointed by the diocesan bishop. The diocesan court considers canonical crimes committed by the clergy of the diocese. Decisions of the diocesan court are subject to execution after their approval by the diocesan bishop. If the diocesan bishop disagrees with the decision of the diocesan court, he acts at his own discretion. In this case, the decision of the bishop comes into force immediately, but the case is transferred to the general church court, which makes the final decision.

The General Church Court is a court of second instance. It consists of a chairman and at least four members in the hierarchal rank, who are elected by the Council of Bishops for a term of 4 years. The decisions of the general church court are subject to execution after their approval by the patriarch and the Holy Synod. In case of disagreement of the patriarch and the Synod with the decision of the general church court, the decision of the patriarch and the Synod comes into force. In this case, for a final decision, the case may be referred to the court of the Council of Bishops.

The church court of the highest instance is the Council of Bishops, which is authorized to consider and make decisions: in the first and last instance on dogmatic and canonical deviations in the activities of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'; in the last resort on disagreements between two or more bishops; on canonical offenses and doctrinal deviations of bishops; on all cases referred to him by the general church court for a final decision.

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

Orthodoxy(tracing paper from Greek ὀρθοδοξία - literally “correct judgment”, “correct teaching” or “correct glorification”) - a trend in Christianity that took shape in the east of the Roman Empire during the first millennium AD. e. under the leadership and leading role sees of the Bishop of Constantinople - New Rome. Orthodoxy professes the Niceno-Tsaregrad Creed and recognizes the decisions of the seven Ecumenical Councils. It includes a set of teachings and spiritual practices that the Orthodox Church contains, which is understood as a community of autocephalous local Churches that have Eucharistic communion with each other.
According to the opinion of the professor of the Imperial St. Petersburg Theological Academy N. N. Glubokovsky, “Orthodoxy is a “right confession” - because it reproduces in itself the entire intelligible object, sees itself and shows it to others in” correct opinion"over the entire subject wealth and with all the features."
In Russian, the terms “orthodoxy” or “orthodox” are almost never used as a synonym for “orthodoxy”, although such usage is sometimes found in secular literature, usually due to an erroneous translation of the word “accordance” from European languages.

The earliest written use of the word "Orthodoxy" in the territory of Rus' is recorded in the "Sermon on Law and Grace" (1037 - 1050):
Praise the praiseworthy voices of the Roman country of Peter and Paul, image your faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God; Asia and Ephesus, and Patm John the Evangelist, India Thomas, Egypt Mark. All countries and cities, and people honor and glorify every time their teacher, who taught me the Orthodox faith. - Sermon on Law and Grace by Metropolitan Hilarion (published by IRLI RAS)
AT official language churches and states on the territory of Rus', the term "Orthodox" began to be used in con. XIV - beginning. XV century, and the most active terms "Orthodox" and "Orthodoxy" come into use in the XVI century.

Dogmatics

The main and only universally authoritative dogmatic document is the Niceno-Tsaregrad Creed, which states:
- Salvation through the confession of faith "in one God" (1st member of the Symbol).
- Consubstantial Persons of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, the Holy Spirit.
- Confession of Jesus - Christ, Lord and Son of God (2nd member of the Symbol).
- Incarnation (3rd member of the Symbol).
- Belief in the bodily resurrection, the ascension and the forthcoming second coming of Jesus Christ, the general resurrection and "the life of the age to come" (5, 6, 7, 11, 12th members of the Symbol).
- Faith in the unity, holiness and catholicity of the Church (9th member of the Symbol); The head of the Church is Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:23).

In addition, based on Holy Tradition, Orthodoxy recognizes the prayerful intercession of canonized saints.

Canonical device and norms

Basic canonical norms and institutions:
- Hierarchical priesthood, having 3 degrees: bishop, presbyter, deacon. Necessary condition the legitimacy of the hierarchy is a direct canonically legitimate apostolic succession through a series of ordinations. Each bishop (regardless of the title he holds) has full canonical authority within his jurisdiction (eparchy). Only males are ordained.
Although the canons forbid members of the holy order "to enter into the government of the people" (the 81st and 6th Canons of the Holy Apostles, as well as the 11th Canon of the Double Council, etc.), there were separate episodes in the history of Orthodox countries when bishops were at the head state (most famously the President of Cyprus Macarius III) or had significant powers of civil power ( Patriarchs of Constantinople in the Ottoman Empire in the role of milet-bashi, that is, the ethnarch-Orthodox subjects of the Sultan).
- Institute of monasticism. Includes the so-called black clergy, which has played a leading role in all spheres of the life of the Church since the 4th century. Representatives of the black clergy may be elected to a special episcopal office in the Church.
- Established calendar fasts: Veliky (pre-Easter 40-day), Petrov, Assumption, Christmas, together with the holidays that make up the liturgical year.

History of creed formulation

The modern Orthodox Church considers the entire history of the Church before the Great Schism as its own history.
Initially, the designation of the religion as Orthodox and emphasizing it as “right”, not damaged by heresies and deviations from what was accepted from the apostles, was a necessary measure.

Orthodox dogma goes back to apostolic times (I century). It was formulated by oros (literally - borders, doctrinal definitions) of the Ecumenical, as well as some Local Councils.

Orthodoxy began to take shape in the II-III centuries AD. e., tracing its history back to apostolic times. It was opposed to Gnosticism (which offered its own interpretation of New Testament and often rejected the Old) and Arianism (denying the consubstantiality of the Trinity).

The leading role in the work of the first four Ecumenical Councils was played by the bishops of Alexandria and Rome. All Councils were convened by the Roman (Byzantine) emperors and usually took place under their administrative presidency.

ORGANIZATION OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

The ROC has 128 dioceses in Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan (these countries are considered the "canonical territory" of the ROC), as well as in the diaspora - Austria, Argentina, Belgium, France, Netherlands, UK, Germany, Hungary, USA and Canada. There are parishes, representative offices and other canonical divisions of the ROC in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Thailand, Australia, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico. The ROC nominally includes the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church, which is governed by an independent Metropolitan of All Japan, elected at the Council of this Church, and the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church, which currently does not have its own hierarchy.

The highest doctrinal, legislative, executive and judicial power in the Russian Orthodox Church belongs to the Local Council, which includes all the ruling (diocesan) bishops, as well as representatives from the clergy and laity of each diocese. According to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, which was in force from 1988 to 2000, the Local Council was to be convened every five years. In August 2000, the Council of Bishops adopted a new Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church, which does not stipulate the frequency of convocation of the Local Council, whose exclusive competence includes only the election of a new Patriarch.

The real fullness of ecclesiastical authority has been transferred to the Council of Bishops, which includes the permanent members of the Holy Synod and the ruling bishops. According to the Charter, which has been in force since August 2000, the Council of Bishops is convened by the Synod at least once every four years (the previous Charter required its convocation at least once every two years). The list of powers of the Council of Bishops is very wide. Even during the work of the Local Council, which theoretically can cancel the decisions of the bishops, all the fullness of church authority belongs to the Bishops' Conference, consisting of bishops - members of the Council. In the event that a majority of the votes of the members of the Local Council are submitted for a particular decision, but this decision does not gain a majority of the votes of the members of the Bishops' Conference, it is considered adopted.

In the period between Bishops' Councils, the Church is governed by the Patriarch and the Holy Synod, which is considered an advisory body under the Patriarch. In practice, the Patriarch takes the most important administrative decisions only with the consent of the Synod. The Holy Synod includes, in addition to the Patriarch, seven permanent members (metropolitans of Krutitsy and Kolomna, St. Petersburg and Ladoga, Kyiv and all Ukraine, Minsk and Slutsk, Chisinau and all Moldova, as well as the manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate and the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations - DECR MP) and six temporary ones, called by the Synod itself to participate in meetings during only one synodal session.

The sessions of the Synod are divided into two sessions - spring and autumn, each of which consists of two or three sessions, usually lasting two days. As a rule, the Holy Synod hears reports on the most important events of church life that took place between its meetings (such events include visits by the Patriarch, visits to the ROC by the heads of other local Churches, participation of official representatives of the ROC in major events of a national or international scale), as well as establishes new dioceses, appoints and removes bishops, approves the opening of new monasteries and the appointment of their governors and abbesses, opens and reorganizes theological educational institutions, opens new canonical structures of the Russian Orthodox Church in the far abroad and appoints their clergy. In exceptional cases, the Synod delivers Epistles reflecting the point of view of the church hierarchy on certain significant social problems. The hierarchy of the Orthodox Church is referred to as the "triple" because it consists of three main steps: the diaconate, the priesthood and the bishopric.

Men's monasteries in the modern Russian Orthodox Church are managed by a vicar in the rank of archimandrite (rarely in the rank of abbot or hieromonk; the abbot of one monastery has the rank of bishop), who "represents" in it the rector - the diocesan bishop. The largest and most famous monasteries, as well as the men's monasteries of the capital, are "stauropegial" - their abbot is the Patriarch himself, represented in the monastery by the governor.

Women's monasteries are run by an abbess who has the honorary title of abbess (more rarely, an abbess is a simple nun). In large monasteries under the governor there is an advisory body - the Spiritual Cathedral. Monasteries can have their own courtyards (representations) in cities or villages, as well as sketes and deserts located at some distance from the main monastery. For example, the Trinity Sergius Lavra has Gethsemane and Bethany sketes, courtyards in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Under the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, there are a number of "branch departments" - Synodal departments, the most important of which is the DECR MP. The DECR MP itself defines the range of its tasks as follows: “Implementation of hierarchical, administrative, financial and economic management of dioceses, monasteries, parishes and other institutions of our Church in the far abroad; the adoption by the hierarchy of decisions concerning church-state and church-social relations; implementation of relations of the ROC with local Orthodox churches, non-Orthodox churches and religious associations, non-Christian religions, religious and secular international organizations, state, political, public, cultural, scientific, economic, financial and other similar institutions and organizations, means mass media". The chairman of the DECR MP is considered the most influential hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In most cases, future clergy receive a "professional" education in theological educational institutions, the network of which is managed by the Educational Committee of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Currently, the ROC has 5 theological academies (before 1917 there were only 4), 26 theological seminaries, 29 religious schools, 2 Orthodox University and Theological Institute, Women's religious school, 28 icon-painting schools. The total number of students in theological schools reaches 6,000 people.

The Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechesis manages a network of educational institutions intended for the laity. This network includes Sunday schools at churches, circles for adults, groups for preparing adults for baptism, Orthodox kindergartens, Orthodox groups in state kindergartens, Orthodox gymnasiums, schools and lyceums, Orthodox courses for catechists.

Patriarchal Cross

Orthodox cross

Metropolitans

Metropolitans of Kyiv:
, .
Vladimir period: , .
Moscow period:, Michael (Mityai), Cyprian, Pimen, Photius, Gerasim, Isidore of Kyiv,.
Metropolitans of Moscow:
, Job .

Patriarchs of All Rus'

Saint JOB - First Patriarch of Moscow. January 23, 1589 – June 1605
IGNATIUS - not included in the list of legitimate patriarchs. It was appointed by False Dmitry I under the living Patriarch Job. June 30, 1605 – May 1606
- June 3, 1606 - February 17, 1612
- June 24, 1619 - October 1, 1633
IOASAF I- February 6, 1634 - November 28, 1640
JOSEPH- May 27, 1642 - April 15, 1652
NIKON- July 25, 1652 - December 12, 1666
IOASAF II- February 10, 1667 - February 17, 1672
PITIRIM- July 7, 1672 - April 19, 1673
Joachim- July 26, 1674 - March 17, 1690
ADRIAN- August 24, 1690 - October 16, 1700
After the death of Hadrian, no successor was chosen. Metropolitan Stefan of Yaroslavl in 1700-1721 was the guardian of the Patriarchal throne.
In 1721, the institution of patriarchy was abolished by Peter I. Only the Holy Synod functioned. The Institute was restored at the Cathedral of the Russian Church in 1917-1918.
Saint TIKHON - November 5, 1917 – March 25, 1925 After his death in 1925, the authorities prevented the convening of a new Council for the election of the Patriarch, allowing them to be held only in 1943 at the Council of Bishops, which consisted of 19 people.
SERGIUS- September 8, 1943 - May 15, 1944
ALEXI I- February 2, 1945 - April 17, 1970
PIMEN- June 2, 1971 - May 3, 1990
ALEXY II- June 10, 1990 - December 5, 2008
KIRILL- since February 1, 2009

- Ideal Cathedral Soul of the Russian nation.

Unusual Orthodox churches.
Kyiv Sophia Cathedral.





Saint Isaac's Cathedral.
Kizhi.
Stone tent temples.
Stone hipped bell towers.
Sofia belfry.

Sacraments

.

Icon

.

On February 2 and 3 of this year, another Bishops' Council of Russia was held in Moscow. It was an important event in the religious life of the country. But before dwelling on the issues that were subject to its consideration, it makes sense to clarify what this body of church authority is and what its history is.

Successors of the Holy Apostles

The practice of convening church councils goes back to New Testament times, when in 49 (according to other sources in 51) a council was held in Jerusalem, at which the apostles discussed the most important question - is circumcision necessary for the acquisition of eternal life. It was on it that a decree was passed, freeing all those who were baptized from the need to comply with most of the Jewish laws and the ritual rituals prescribed by them.

In subsequent years, church councils entered into widespread practice and were regularly convened. At the same time, they were divided into two categories - Local, that is, held within the framework of one local church, and Ecumenical, one name of which indicates that representatives of churches from all over the Christian world took part in it.

Features of Local Councils

The history of past times was entered mainly by the names of the cities in which they were held, local churches who became their organizers, the states on whose territory they were convened, as well as the religious denominations that resolved their issues on them.

Representatives of not only a wide range of clergy - from bishops to clerics of the lower levels, but also deputations of the laity who lived in these territories took part in the work of the Local Councils. They discussed various issues related not only to dogma, but also to the structure of church life, as well as to its management.

Forums of the higher clergy

In contrast to them, the participants in the Council of Bishops are exclusively bishops who are convened to make decisions on the most important internal church issues. It is important to note that the division of church councils into Local and Bishops was established only in the synodal period. Previously, all major decisions related to the life of the church were made by its primate alone.

Today, the Council of Bishops is the supreme governing body of both the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian, which is part of the Moscow Patriarchate. Its status was determined by the decisions of the Local Council, held in 1945. At the same time, the term appeared, which became its designation.

Previous Council of Archpastors

The meeting of the archpastors, which took place in February of this year in Moscow, was preceded by only one council (Bishops), held in 1961 in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. An interesting detail is that none of its participants was warned in advance that they would have to participate in such a representative forum. Everyone then received only invitations to celebrate the memory of its founder, and already upon arrival they learned about the true purpose of the call. This Council (Bishops) of 1961 was held at the height of Khrushchev's anti-religious campaign, and such a conspiracy was by no means superfluous.

The recently completed cathedral

So, the current Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church is the second in a row. It was preceded by Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, performed by Archpriest Mikhail (Ryazantsev). Together with Patriarch Kirill, it was attended by all the delegates who arrived at this largest last years church forum from all over the country and from abroad.

As can be seen from his published documents, as well as from the speeches of the participants in the press conference organized after the completion of the work, the main issue was the preparation for the Pan-Orthodox (Ecumenical) Council scheduled for the near future, the venue of which was to be the island of Crete.

Members of the Council and its Presidium

The composition of the Bishops' Council was very numerous. Suffice it to say that it included three hundred and fifty-four archpastors, representing the two hundred and ninety-three dioceses that currently exist, united around the Moscow Patriarchate. In accordance with the current Church Charter, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill presided over it. On the first day of the work of the cathedral, he delivered a report in which he highlighted the main issues of the life and work of the Russian church.

Also, on the basis of the requirements of the Charter, all the permanent members of the Holy Synod were included in the Presidium. Long before the consecrated Bishops' Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church, in view of the importance of the issues submitted for its consideration, some representatives of the autonomous parts of the Moscow Patriarchate, including the metropolitans of New York, Eastern America, Latvia and a number of others, also received invitations to participate in the work.

Speech by the Head of the Ukrainian Church

The report of Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine was heard with great interest. He told the audience about the situation in which the church headed by him is today. Particular attention to his speech was caused by the difficult political situation that has developed today in Ukraine, and the forced opposition to the self-proclaimed church existing there.

The head (MP) spoke about the peacekeeping role that the church entrusted to him has taken on in our days. Its shepherds and archpastors are making every effort to end hostility in a country where sometimes members of the same parish turn out to be enemies and, being blind executors of someone else's political will, plunge the country into chaos and bloodshed.

The speaker also expressed his deep gratitude to the ecclesiastical and secular authorities of Russia, who organized the delivery of humanitarian aid to the areas most affected by internecine conflicts, and expressed the hope that the current Council (Bishops) will become a tangible contribution to the establishment of peace in Ukraine.

Problems related to preparations for the Ecumenical Council

One of the main subjects of discussions that unfolded during the meetings was the upcoming Ecumenical Council, which is associated with a lot of problems of a very different nature, including those generated by groundless rumors that arose on the basis of low religious awareness of citizens and related superstitions.

For example, fabrications are spreading that regarding this, the eighth in a row, there is supposedly a prophecy according to which he should become the Antichrist, and that a union (alliance) with catholic church, fasts were abolished, remarriages of the white clergy were legalized, and many more decrees were adopted that were detrimental to true Orthodoxy.

In this regard, the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, said that over the past few months his office had received many letters from citizens urging the Moscow delegation to refuse to participate in this ungodly, in their opinion, event. And a few days before the current Council (of Bishops) began its work, their number increased many times over.

The role of the cathedral in protecting the interests of the Russian church

But there were more serious issues that needed to be addressed. One of them was the intention of the organizers Ecumenical Council to impose on all its participants the obligatory execution of decisions taken by a majority of votes. Such a formulation of the question was fraught with obvious danger. If, for example, the majority of delegations voted for a general transition to a new church calendar, then everyone, including the Russian Church, would have to submit to this.

However, thanks to the perseverance and consistency of the representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate, it was possible to achieve that the decisions of the council would be valid only if all the delegations, without exception, voted for them. If there is at least one vote against, then this decision won't get any power.

And there were many such questions. Those of them that have not yet found their solution, and, according to the speaker, there are quite a lot of them, were subject to detailed discussion, to which the last Council of Bishops was dedicated. The photos presented in the article help to imagine the businesslike working environment in which his meetings took place.

Other issues considered during the council

Among other issues included in the agenda of the work of the cathedral was the canonization of Archbishop Seraphim, who even before was canonized as a saint, widely revered in Russia and Bulgaria. All the delegates unanimously cast their votes for his glorification. In addition, (Poyarkov) read out a report on measures to perpetuate the memory of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, who became victims of terror deployed during the struggle against the church.

With special attention, the delegates of the cathedral listened to the report of V.R. in social networks. The speaker stressed the importance of this way of communication with the widest circle of both believers and those who have not yet found their place in religious life. In particular, he dwelled in detail on individual projects that are being prepared for implementation in the near future.

The next convocation of the Council of Bishops, according to church charter should follow no later than 2020.

Sessions of the Consecrated Bishops' Council were held under the chairmanship of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill (Gundyaev) in the hall Church Councils Cathedral of Christ the Savior. 280 bishops took part in the work of the Council. Church hierarchs from 247 dioceses of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Estonia, as well as dioceses located in the far abroad arrived at the Council.

On the 1st day of the meetings of the Council His Holiness Patriarch Kirill read out a report on various aspects of intra-church life, church-state and church-society relations throughout the entire canonical space of the Russian Orthodox Church. The report touched upon, in particular, issues related to the formation of new dioceses and the creation of metropolises.

The Patriarch noted that in order to fulfill the task set at the Bishops' Council in 2011 to open new parishes, Rev. In May 2011, the Synod initiated the historical process of the formation of several dioceses within the republics and regions of the Russian Federation. Previously, this took place in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and in the Belarusian Exarchate. However, the speaker stressed, in Russia these transformations should be more ambitious. Over the past 2 years, 64 new dioceses have been established on the territory of the same subjects of the Russian Federation. In total, 82 dioceses were formed during this time. Since the Local Council of 2009, 88 new dioceses have been formed. There are currently 247 dioceses in total. In addition, by the decision of St. Synod dated July 27, 2011, a new metropolitan district was formed - Central Asian. Oct. 2011 Priest The Synod made an important adjustment to the process of disaggregating the dioceses: the dioceses located within the same subject of the Russian Federation began to unite into metropolises. During the inter-council period, 33 metropolises were created.

The Primate said that in order to simplify and reduce the cost of building new churches, the Cathedral instructed the Financial and Economic Department to develop projects for quickly erected and inexpensive churches. In present At the same time, 7 standard projects of churches with a capacity of 200 to 500 parishioners were developed. After acquiring ownership of the developed design and estimate documentation, it can be used in all dioceses with revision, where necessary.

Further, Patriarch Kirill dwelled on issues related to the life of dioceses and parishes in countries outside the canonical territories of the existing Local Orthodox Churches, as well as on the representations of the Moscow Patriarchate on the territory of other Autocephalous Churches. According to rough estimates, the total number of Russian-speaking Orthodox. The diaspora in the world today is about 30 million people, and a significant part of it is the flock of the Russian Orthodox Church. In present Currently, there are 829 parishes and 52 monasteries of the Moscow Patriarchate in 57 far-abroad countries, including 409 parishes and 39 monasteries within the Russian Church Abroad. The primate stressed that in 2011-2012. new temples were built and consecrated in Thailand, the community in Singapore was strengthened, parishes were opened in Malaysia and Cambodia. There is an acute question about the construction of the Orthodox Church. temple in India. Several major projects are being successfully implemented: the restoration of the temple and the premises of the House of the Pilgrim of the Russian Orthodox Church in Bari, near the relics of St. Nicholas of Myra, the construction of the first Russian orthodox church is almost completed. a temple on the Arabian Peninsula in the United Arab Emirates, the construction of a temple in Madrid is in full swing; in France, a temple in Nice has been returned to Russia, where the priest now serves. Korsun diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. Active preparations are being made for the construction of a Russian spiritual and cultural center in Paris on the Quai Branly. important event was the receipt by the Vienna diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church ofic. status in Austria.

Five years have passed since the signing of the “Act on Canonical Communion between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia”. Over the past period, trust has been strengthened between people, mutual assistance of communities has been established. However, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill noted with regret that the problem of the existence of parishes that did not accept the canonical unification of the ROC, in particular in Lat, continues to be a painful one. America.

Then the Primate touched upon issues related to the financial and economic activities of the Church.

Patriarch Kirill also said that during the inter-conciliar period, the hierarchal brotherhood has increased by 75 bishops, and today 290 diocesan and vicar bishops serve in the ROC, of ​​which 225 are ruling. In total, since the Local Council of 2009, 108 ordinations have been performed, 88 of them with the participation of the Patriarch.

The speaker dwelled in some detail on the analysis of various topics related to spiritual education. The assessment of missionary, youth and social service Rus. Churches in recent years. In addition, the Patriarch touched upon the issues of the information activities of the Church, its dialogue with society and the state, and also shared his vision of the inter-Orthodox. and interchrist. relations, interaction with representatives of other religions.

The members of the Council heard a report by Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan) of Kyiv and All Ukraine, in which he gave an assessment of the current state of canonical Orthodoxy within Ukraine.

In the following days, the members of the Council of Bishops adopted a number of documents proposed for consideration by the Inter-Council Presence: “Regulations on the election of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'”, “Regulations on the composition of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church”, “The position of the Church in connection with the development of technologies for accounting and processing personal data”, “Position of the Russian Orthodox Church on the reform of family law and problems of juvenile justice”, “Position of the Russian Orthodox Church on topical environmental issues”. A new version of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church was approved, taking into account the amendments made to it. The Council of Bishops also decided to glorify St. Dalmat (Mokrinsky), previously canonized as locally venerated saints of the Kurgan diocese. One of the important documents adopted by the Council was the Regulation on material and social support for clergy, clergy and workers of religious organizations of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as members of their families. The Council adopted the Regulations on the awards of the Russian Orthodox Church, which streamlines the system of general church and liturgical awards Rus. Churches founded at different times. The members of the Council unanimously approved for a new term the current composition of the General Church Court. In conclusion, the Council of Bishops adopted resolutions and addressed a message to the clergy, monastics and laity of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Lit.: Kirill (Gundyaev), Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. Report at the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church on February 2. 2013 // ZhMP. 2013. No. 3. S. 12-45; Cathedral Mind of the Church // ZhMP. 2013. No. 3. P. 10; Decrees of the Consecrated Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church February 2-5. 2013 // ZhMP. 2013. No. 4. P. 8–18; The position of the Russian Orthodox Church on the reform of family law and problems of juvenile justice // ZhMP. 2013. No. 5. P. 8–11; Varsonofy (Sudakov), Met. What has changed in the Charter: From the report on the draft amendments and additions to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church "On the adoption of a new edition of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church" // ZhMP. 2013. No. 6. P. 7; Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church as amended in 2013 // ZhMP. 2013. No. 6. P. 38–49.

The document was adopted at the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church on November 29 - December 2, 2017.

Taking into account the special status of the broad autonomy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the leading center of which is in Kyiv, the Holy Synod submitted to the Council of Bishops a proposal received from His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine to single out as an independent chapter the provisions of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church (hereinafter referred to as the Charter) relating to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the leading center of which is in Kyiv.

In addition, during the inter-conciliar period, the Holy Synod approved a number of changes in the procedure for the canonization of ascetics of piety as locally venerated saints and in the procedure for their further general church glorification (Journal No. 66 of July 15, 2016), which requires reflection in the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Holy Synod formed new structures of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (magazine No. 99 of October 21, 2016 and magazine No. 116 of December 27, 2016). It is necessary to provide for their representation at Local Councils.

Taking into account the regulations described in the Regulations on monasteries and monasticism approved by the Council of Bishops, adjustments should be made to the procedure for managing monastic farmsteads mentioned in the Charter.

In addition, it is proposed to amend the Charter, excluding the transfer to the Patriarchal Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal prerogative to award bishops with awards of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Finally, in connection with the appeal received from the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus and the Synod of the Belarusian Exarchate, the Holy Synod presented to the Council of Bishops proposals for amending the Regulations on the Court of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In view of the foregoing, the Consecrated Bishops' Council decides:

I. Make the following changes to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church:

1. Include in the Charter after Chapter IX new chapter as follows, with the subsequent chapters renumbered:

"Chapter X. Ukrainian Orthodox Church

1. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is self-governing with the rights of broad autonomy.

2. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church was granted independence and autonomy in its administration in accordance with the Determination of the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church on October 25-27, 1990 "On the Ukrainian Orthodox Church".

3. In its life and activities, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is guided by the Determination of the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church of 1990 "On the Ukrainian Orthodox Church", the Diploma of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' of 1990 and the Charter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is approved by its Primate and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

4. The organs of ecclesiastical authority and administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are its Council and Synod, headed by its Primate, bearing the title of "His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine." The control center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is located in the city of Kyiv.

5. The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is elected by the episcopate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and is blessed by His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

6. The name of the Primate is commemorated in all churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

7. Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are elected by its Synod.

8. The decision to form or abolish the dioceses that are part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and to determine their territorial boundaries, is taken by its Synod with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.

9. Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are members of the Local and Bishops' Councils and participate in their work in accordance with Sections II and III of this Statute and in the meetings of the Holy Synod.

10. Decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils are binding on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

11. Decisions of the Holy Synod are valid in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, taking into account the specifics determined by the independent nature of its administration.

12. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has its own highest ecclesiastical-judicial authority. At the same time, the court of the Council of Bishops is the ecclesiastical court of the highest instance for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, such canonical bans as a life-long ban on priestly service, defrocking, excommunication, are imposed by the diocesan bishop with subsequent approval by the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine and the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

13. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church receives holy chrism from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.”

2. Delete Article 18 from Chapter XI of the Charter.

3. To state paragraph e) of Article 5 of Chapter III (“Council of Bishops”) of the Charter in the following wording: “e) the canonization of saints and the general church glorification of locally venerated saints”;

4. To introduce into Article 25 of Chapter V of the Charter (“Holy Synod”) a paragraph with the following content: “t) canonization of locally venerated saints and submission of the issue of their general church glorification for consideration by the Council of Bishops”;

5. State paragraph c) of Article 15 of Chapter IV of the Charter as follows: "c) The Locum Tenens shall act as the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' as they are set out in Article 7 of Chapter IV of this Charter, except for paragraphs c, h and e."

6. Supplement Article 4 of Chapter IX (“Church Court”) by rewording it as follows:

“Court in the Russian Orthodox Church is carried out by ecclesiastical courts of the following instances:

a) diocesan courts having jurisdiction within their dioceses;

b) the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical courts in the indicated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) - with jurisdiction within the respective parts of the Russian Orthodox Church ;

c) the highest general church court, with jurisdiction within the Russian Orthodox Church, with the exception of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church;

d) the court of the Council of Bishops, with jurisdiction within the entire Russian Orthodox Church.”

7. In all articles of the Charter, where the "General Church Court" is mentioned, change its name to the "Supreme General Church Court."

8. To state Article 9 of Chapter XVII (“Monasteries”) of the Charter in the following wording:

“Monasteries can have courtyards. The community is called the community of Orthodox Christians, which is under the jurisdiction of the monastery and located outside it. The activity of the farmstead is regulated by the charter of the monastery to which this farmstead belongs, and by its own civil charter. The metochion in the church-hierarchical (canonical) order is subordinate to the diocesan bishop of the diocese on whose territory it is located, and in the economic order - to the same bishop as the monastery. If the metochion is located on the territory of another diocese, then during the service in the church of the metochion both the name of the diocesan bishop and the name of the bishop in whose diocese the compound is located are raised.

II. Make the following changes to the Regulations on church court Russian Orthodox Church:

1. In all articles of the Regulations on the Church Court, where the “General Church Court” is mentioned, change its name to the “Supreme General Church Court”.

2. Supplement the third paragraph of paragraph 2 of Article 1 of the Regulations on the Church Court, setting it out in the following wording:

"2. The judicial system of the Russian Orthodox Church includes the following ecclesiastical courts:

• diocesan courts with jurisdiction within their respective dioceses;
• the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical courts in the said parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) - with jurisdiction within the respective parts of the Russian Orthodox Church;
• the Supreme General Church Court - with jurisdiction within the Russian Orthodox Church, with the exception of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church;
• Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church - with jurisdiction within the entire Russian Orthodox Church.

3. Supplement paragraph 2 of Article 31 of the Regulations on the Church Court, stating it as follows:

"2. The Council of Bishops considers, as an ecclesiastical court of second instance, cases against bishops:

• considered by the General Church Court of First Instance and sent by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' or the Holy Synod to the consideration of the Council of Bishops for a final decision;
• on appeals of bishops against the decisions of the Supreme Church Court of First Instance and the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches that have entered into legal force.

The Holy Synod or the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' has the right to send for consideration by the Council of Bishops other cases that are within the jurisdiction of lower church courts, if these cases require an authoritative judicial-conciliar decision.

4. State paragraph 2 of Article 28 of the Regulations on the Church Court in the following wording:

“The Supreme General Church Court considers, as an appellate instance, in the manner prescribed by Chapter 6 of this Regulation, cases:

• reviewed by diocesan courts and sent by diocesan bishops to the Supreme General Church Court for final resolution;
• on appeals of the parties against decisions of diocesan courts;
• considered by the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical courts in the said parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) and transferred by the primates of the respective parts of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Supreme General Church Court;
• on appeals of the parties against decisions of the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical courts in the said parts of the Russian Orthodox Church).

This article does not apply to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”

5. Delete paragraph 6 of Article 50 of the Regulations on the Church Court.

6. Supplement Chapter 6 of the Regulations on the Church Court with a new article with the following content, with a shift in the numbering of subsequent articles:

“Consideration of cases in separate higher ecclesiastical-judicial instances.

1. Appeals against decisions of diocesan courts of the dioceses of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts shall be sent to the highest ecclesiastical courts of the indicated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church (if such higher ecclesiastical courts exist).

2. The Higher General Church Court considers appeals against decisions taken both in the first hearing and on appeal by the highest ecclesiastical courts of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts.

3. This article does not apply to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”

III. To state paragraph 15 of Article 2 of the Regulations on the composition of the Local Council in the following wording:

“Two delegates each - one cleric and one layman:

• from the Patriarchal parishes in the USA,
• from the Patriarchal parishes in Canada,
• from the Patriarchal parishes in Italy,
• from the Patriarchal parishes in Finland,
• from the Patriarchal parishes in Turkmenistan,
• from the Patriarchal parishes in the Republic of Armenia,
• from the Patriarchal parishes in the Kingdom of Thailand and the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Southeast and East Asia.

The elected delegates are approved by the Patriarch (during the locum tenure, by the Holy Synod).

Church institutions in the far abroad that are not part of the dioceses or parish associations listed in this article are represented at the Local Council by the head of the Office for Institutions Abroad.”