NEW YORK: May 4, 2017
A Regular Session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad Convenes

On Wednesday, May 3, 2017, the feast day of St Anastasius of Sinai and the namesday of Metropolitan Anastassy (Gribanovsky) of blessed memory, second Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of ROCOR, prayed during Divine Liturgy, during which his late predecessor was commemorated.

Later that day, His Eminence officiated at a conference of the Synod of Bishops; also participating were His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany, Vice President of the Synod; His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, Secretary of the Synod; His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America, and His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Deputy Secretary.

The Primate of the Church Abroad welcomed the participants and congratulated them on the continuing celebration of Holy Pascha, wishing the archpastors the strengthening joy of the Resurrected Christ in their service to the Church. In conclusion of his keynote address, Metropolitan Hilarion proposed singing Eternal Memory to Metropolitan Anastassy and the recently-reposed Archdeacon Eugene Burbelo, who died during the sixth week of Great Lent.  

The Synod then heard a report by the Pre-Council Committee, consisting of Archbishop Gabriel, Archbishop Peter and Bishop Nicholas. The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia will be held at St Elizabeth Convent in Buchendorf, Germany, from June 9-15, and will conclude with the great consecration of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia Cathedral in Munich. The Synod decided to confirm the appointment of Protopriest Alexander Webster as Dean of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY. Treasurer George Schatiloff then reported on the Synod’s finances.

Archbishop Mark reported on the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, which is preparing for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin).

The Synod also accepted the resignation of Deacon Andrei Psarev from the Calendar Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church, and replaced him with Protopriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops.

Lastly, the Synod considered intercessions by clergymen and laity of various diocese requesting church awards.