Minutes of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad Bishop's Council 9/22 November - 13/26 November 2008

 AGENDA Bishop's Council of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad

 1. Report of the Church Region Managers for the inter-council period on the assignments that were given at the previous council.

2. Review candidates for bishop consecrations.

3. Report of priest Andrew Lomoff, church property manager.

4. Review the work of the Committee on the glorification of Ever-memorable Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky).

5. Council confirmation of the Canadian pastoral conference Resolution concerning the Synod in Resistance of metropolitan Kiprian of Oropos and Fili.

6. Council decision regarding the year-2000 council's glorification of Saint Ignatius (Ignatii) Brianchaninoff and Saint Theophan the Recluse (Zatvornik).

7. Review the calendar saints question.

8. On the concordance of certain litany petitions.

9. On the so-called "Fifth All-Diaspora Council" organized by Bishop Agathangel's (Pashkovsky) group.

10. On Bp. Sebastian's (Zhatkoff) Petition to the Council.

11. Miscellaneous

12. On the Bishop Council's Epistle.

 MINUTES #4 (1) Russian Orthodox Church Abroad Bishop Council's session of 9/22 November 2008.

 Opening of the Bishop's Council was on 9/22 November 2008 in the Montreal Bishop's podvoriye (chapel associated with a monastery-trans) in the presence of the wonderworking Vladimir Mother of God icon (of Harbin), Mother of God Kursk-Root icon and a particle of the Lord's Life-Creating Cross.

The first session began at 12:25 PM singing the prayer "Today, the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us...".

Present at the session are Graces:

Bishop VLADIMIR of San Francisco and Western America - Council Chairman,

Bishop ANASTASSY of Vladivostok and the Far East

Bishop ANASTASSY of Vladivostok and the Far East is elected Council secretary.

 HEARD:

 I. Report of Bishop Vladimir - American Church region Manager

a) On the work of the official Internet site.

b) On the Synod Secretary, whom the previous Council did not appoint, but delegated Bp. Vladimir to appoint a synodal office manager. Layman P.N. Budzilovich was appointed to this position by a Bp. Vladimir directive (ukase). Some time later, P.N. Budzilovich petitioned to be relieved of this duty to which Bp. Vladimir agreed - a directive to that effect was published.

c) On A.V. Lebedeff who was appointed Treasurer.

d) On preparing the synodal stamp.

e) On preparing official-forms samples.

 Resolved:

Accept Bp. Vladimir's report for consideration.

Approve the two official-forms samples.

 II Report of the Eurasian Church region Manager a) On conditions in the Region.

b) On the case of Archbp. Anthony (Orloff).

c) On the case of Bp. Victor (Pivovaroff).

d) On the case of Bp. Anthony (Rudei).

 Resolved:

1. Accept Bp. Anastassy's report for consideration.

1. Postpone decisions regarding (b), (c) and (d) until the last meeting of the Council.

2. HEARD:

Reviewed the bishop consecration nominees.

 Bp. Vladimir proposed as candidates priest-monk Victor (Parbus) and priest-monk Alexei (Pergamentseff).

 Resolved:

1. Approve the bishop's consecration of priest-monk Victor (Parbus) for the widowed Western European diocese with the title of Bishop of Paris and Western Europe.

2. Postpone the review of priest-monk's Alexei (Pergamentseff) nomination pending the decision regarding the vacating of the Moldovan chair.

3. HEARD:

Report of the Holy Transfiguration church property manager, priest Andrew Lomoff, who reported that in the elapsed time several jobs were accomplished: roof repaired on different structures, grass cut on skete property, tombstones were ordered for the graves of Blessed Metropolitan Vitalii and Archbishop Sergius, partial repair of the cells was done, the mosaic icon above the entrance to the church was restored. Divine services are done in the skete twice a month.

Resolved:

Accept the report for consideration and express gratitude to priest Andrew Lomoff for the labors performed.

The Council session ended at 5:00 PM singing the prayer "It is truly meet and right...".

MINUTES #5 (2)

Russian Orthodox Church Abroad Bishops Council's session on 10/23 November 2008.

The Council session was opened at 5:10 PM singing the prayer "Heavenly King".

Present at the session are Graces:

Bishop VLADIMIR of San Francisco and Western America - Council Chairman,

Bishop ANASTASSY of Vladivostok and the Far East,

Bishop VICTOR of Paris and Western Europe.

 HEARD:

Reviewed the results of the work done by the Committee on the glorification of Ever-memorable Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky).

The chairman of the committee, His Grace Bp. Vladimir, reported the following on the Committee's work:

1. Mitered Archpriest Constantine Fedoroff and layman Peter Dzuba have painted icons of Saint Philaret.

Resolved:

Accept the proposed icons

2. The detailed life of Saint Philaret is being composed by layman Vladimir Kirilloff.

Resolved:

To charge V.Y. Kirilloff to complete composing "The detailed Life of Saint Philaret" and to compose a short "Life of Saint Philaret".

3. V.Y. Kirilloff has composed a service to Saint Philaret.

Resolved:

Accept the proposed service text and express gratitude to layman V.Y. Kirilloff for the work done.

4. The Committee members have prepared a list of organizational tasks in preparation to the glorification of Saint Philaret.

Resolved:

1) Open an Internet account to collect organizational expense funds for preparations and execution of measures dealing with the glorification.

2) Publish information on the preparations of Saint Philaret's glorification.

3) Prepare a document for carrying out the procedures dealing with the glorification in accordance with the Church Abroad rite.

4) Publish, in sufficient quantity, paper icons of saint Philaret.

5) Changes in the makeup of the glorification Committee were proposed.

Resolved: Remove reader Gregory Fliagin from the glorification Committee and include priest-monk Alexei (Pergamentseff) into its makeup.

The session ended at 10:40 PM singing the prayer "It is truly meet and right...".

 MINUTES #6 (3) Russian Orthodox Church Abroad Bishops Council's session on 11/24 November 2008.

 The Council session opened at 10:40 AM singing the prayer "Heavenly King"

Present at the session are Graces:

 Bishop VLADIMIR of San Francisco and Western America - Council Chairman,

Bishop ANASTASSY of Vladivostok and the Far East,

Bishop VICTOR of Paris and Western Europe.

 Bp. Vladimir read the document on the glorification of First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, Ever-memorable Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky).

Resolved:

Approve the document of the glorification among the Saints Ever-memorable Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky).

1. HEARD: Bp. Vladimir's report on the necessity of a conciliar confirmation of the 2001 Canadian pastoral conference resolution regarding the ecclesiology of the Synod in Resistance of Metr. Kiprian of Oropos and Fili and of the history of mutual relations of this Synod with the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.

Resolved:

1. Affirm Bishops Council Resolution # 7/01/M dated 26 Oct / 8 November, 2001 and the Canadian and American pastoral conference resolution # 15/01/M dated 16/29 December 2001 on the termination of eucharistic communion with the Greek Synod in Resistance under the leadership of Metropolitan Kiprian of Oropos and Fili by reason of his non-orthodox teaching on "the ill and well members of the Church within context of the Orthodox confession of faith".

2. Entrust Bp. Vladimir to inform the Greek Synod in Resistance of this decision.

2. HEARD: Bp. Vladimir that there is confusion among the clergy and laity in connection with doubts about the canonicity of the 2000 Bishops Council decision regarding the glorification of Saints Ignatius (Ignatii) Brianchaninoff, Theophan the Recluse (Zatvornik), Philaret (Drozdoff) and Elder Theophilus (Feofil) of Kiev.

Resolved:

Having reviewed Minutes #7 of the Russian Orthodox Bishops Council of 11/24 October 2000, the Council came to the conclusion that the glorification of the new Saints: Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninoff) (20 Apr/ 13 May), Saint Theophan (Govoroff) the Recluse (10/23 Jan), Saint Philaret (Drozdoff) (19 Nov/ 2 Dec) and Elder Theophilus of Kiev (28 Oct/ 10 Nov) by their inclusion into the Church calendar of the Orthodox Church corresponds to the canons and practice of the Orthodox Church.

3 HEARD: Bp. Vladimir on the question of the saints in the Church calendar.

Resolved: Recommend to the information-printing department that, in preparing the Orthodox calendar, to use as their basis the Church calendar that was used by the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in the publication of the Trinity Russian Orthodox calendar prior to the year 2000.

4. HEARD: Report of deacon Alexei Fimin on some differences in the litany petitions of the service books.

Resolved: For uniformity in the Divine services, use the following petitions in the great litany:

"For the Orthodox episcopate of the Russian Church, for our lord the most reverend (name) and for our lord the most reverend (name), for the venerable priesthood, the deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

For the suffering Russian land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora, and for their salvation, for this land and those that with faith live therein, let us pray to the Lord.

That He may deliver His people from the bitter torment of the godless authorities, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly love and piety, let us pray to the Lord".

When removing the fifth particle of the nine-particle prosphora during the proskomede, after remembering Theodore Stratilatis, remember:

"Tsar-martyr Nicholas, Tsarevich-martyr Alexei, the Holy New martyrs and Russian Confessors, and all holy martyrs".

After the names Paraskeva and Katherine, remember:

"Tsarina-martyr Alexandra, Tsarevna-martyrs Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, holy monastic saints Grand Duchess Elizabeth and nun Barbara and all holy martyrs".

5. HEARD: On the so-called "Fifth All-Diaspora Council" organized by Bp. Agathangel's (Pashkovsky) group.

Resolved: Not to review this question separately, but to declare a conciliar decision on it in the Bishop Council's epistle to the clergy and laity and to all faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.

6. HEARD: Bp. Sebastian's (Zhatkoff) appeal as received by the Bishop's Council.

Bishop Vladimir read a report regarding the group of "priest-monk" Gregory Lurieux that is connected with Bp. Sebastian (Zhatkoff).

Having reviewed Bp. Sebastian's (Zhatkoff) appeal and discussed the circumstances connected with his activities,

Resolved:

1. Based on the decision of the Bishop's Council of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad dated 28 August/ 10 September 1996 (Minutes #6) on the defrocking of Bp. Valentin (Rusantseff) and on the recognition that his so called clerical actions are not valid and also keeping in mind that after sending the named appeal Bp. Sebastian (Zhatkoff) performed a non-canonical bishop's consecration and he formed a new administrative church structure, the Council resolved to refuse to accept him.

2. Entrust Bp. Anastassy to inform Bp. Sebastian (Zhatkoff) of the decision taken by the Council.

The session ended at 11:00 PM singing the prayer "It is truly meet and right...".

MINUTES #7 (4)

Russian Orthodox Church Abroad Bishops Council's session on 12/25 November 2008.

The Council session opened at 10:30 AM singing the prayer "Heavenly King".

Present at the session are Graces:

Bishop VLADIMIR of San Francisco and Western America - Council Chairman,

Bishop ANASTASSY of Vladivostok and the Far East,

Bishop VICTOR of Paris and Western Europe.

 1) HEARD:

Bp. Anastassy's report regarding Archbishop Anthony (Orloff).

The Bishop's Council, having reviewed a second time the case of Archbishop Anthony (Orloff), who was forbidden to serve by Bishop Council's decision #2/2006/M dated 17/30 July, 2006, Resolved:

1. With his directive (ukase) #15/06/M dated 10/23 July, 2006 Archbishop Anthony, without the knowledge and agreement of all the bishops, unilaterally and arbitrarily removed from the administration the legal First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, Blessed Metropolitan Vitalii, and publicly declared himself as the head, thus violating canonical rules: 34 Apostolic, First and Second Council of Constantinople 14, First and Second Council of Constantinople 15.

2. His Grace Anastassy, Bishop of Vladivostok and the Far East, via a registered letter, dated 9/22 August, 2008, invited Archbishop Anthony to the Bishop's Council, but he did not come to the Council.

3. Having heard Bp. Anastassy's report and on the basis of Rules 34 of the Holy Apostles, First and Second Council of Constantinople 14 and 15, the Council resolved to defrock archbishop Anthony (Orloff) of his bishop's order. Basing itself on rules 74 of the Holy Apostles, Carthaginian Council 28, the Bishop's Council once again calls on Archbishop Anthony (Orloff) to repent and, if in the course of two months after receiving this conciliar decision, Archbishop Anthony (Orloff) does not inform the Bishop's Council of his repentance and intention to unite with the Church, the conciliar defrocking decision will take effect.

4. Entrust Bp. Anastassy to inform Archbishop Anthony (Orloff) on the Council's decision regarding his case.

2. HEARD:

Bp. Anastassy's report on the case of Bp. Victor (Pivovaroff).

The Bishop's Council, having reviewed a second time the case of Bp. Victor (Pivovaroff) who was forbidden to serve by the Bishop Synod's decision #3/2006/M dated 17/30 July, 2006, resolved:

1. Bishop Victor (Pivovaroff) supported the schismatic actions of Archbishop Anthony (Orloff), who arbitrarily took on himself the canonical rights as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, with which he violated rules 34 of the Holy Apostles, First and Second Council of Constantinople 14 and 15.

2. His Grace Anastassy, Bishop of Vladivostok and the Far East, via registered letter dated 9/22 September 2008, invited Bp. Victor (Pivovaroff) to attend the Bishop's Council, but he did not come.

3. Bishop Victor (Pivovaroff) in his articles dated 19 April 2008 and 17 November 2008, which were published for all to read on the Internet, declared that he is not guilty, expressed unwillingness to repent for his anti-church actions and to unite with the Church anew.

4. Having heard Bp. Anastassy's report regarding the case of Bp. Victor (Pivovaroff), the Bishop's Council, guided by rules 34 of the Holy Apostles, First and Second Council of Constantinople 14, First and Second Council of Constantinople 15 resolved to defrock Bishop Victor (Pivovaroff) of his bishop's order.

5. To call on all the clergy and laity, who were in prayerful communion with the defrocked bishop, to repent and to return into the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.

6. Entrust Bp. Anastassy to inform the former Bp. Victor (Pivovaroff) of the council's decision regarding his case.

3. HEARD:

Bp. Anastassy's report regarding the case of Bp. Anthony (Rudei).

The Bishop's Council, having reviewed for the first time the case of Bp. Anthony (Rudei) who was temporarily suspended from governing all dioceses entrusted to him by the Council of 25March/ 7April, 2008 (Minutes #1), resolved:

1. Bp. Anthony (Rudei) arbitrarily, without the knowledge and agreement of all the bishops, unilaterally performed uncanonical bishop consecrations, after which he arbitrarily severed connections with the senior member, by ordination, in the Bishop's Council, His Grace Vladimir Bishop of San Francisco and Western America and discontinued mentioning his name during Divine services. With that he created a schism in violating rules: 1, 34 of the Holy Apostles, First and Second Council of Constantinople 14.

2. His Grace Anastassy, Bishop of Vladivostok and the Far East, via registered letter dated 2/15 September 2008, invited Bp. Anthony (Rudei) to attend the Bishop's Council, but he did not come.

3. Having heard Bp. Anastassy's report on the case of Bp. Anthony (Rudei) and being guided by rule 74 of the Holy Apostles, resolved to again invite Bp. Anthony to the Bishop's Council to review his case and to heal the schism in the Church he created.

4. On the basis of rules 1, 34 of the Holy Apostles, First and Second Council of Constantinople 14 Bishop Anthony (Rudei) is forbidden to serve until a final decision of his case at the next Bishop's Council.

5. To call on all the clergy and laity, who were in prayerful communion with the forbidden to serve bishop, to repent and to return into the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.

6. Entrust Bp. Anastassy to inform Bp. Anthony (Rudei) of the conciliar decision regarding his case.

4. HEARD: Bp. Vladimir's proposal to consecrate priest-monk Alexei (Pergamentseff) as bishop.

Resolved:

Approve the candidacy of priest-monk Alexei (Pergamentseff) to be consecrated as bishop with the title Bishop of Saltanov, assistant bishop of the Moldovan Diocese.

5. HEARD:

Bp. Vladimir's proposal to appoint Bp. Victor (Parbus) as Secretary of the Bishop's Synod.

Resolved:

To add to Article 3 of Bishop's Council dated 25 March/ 7 April, 2008, # 3/1/08 on the temporary order of governance of ROCA ("In the inter-council period the functions of the Bishop's Synod are carried out by: the senior member by bishop's consecration Bp. Vladimir as Synod chairman and Bp. Anastassy, Synod member) the words: "Bishop Victor, Synod secretary".

The session ended at 11:25 PM singing the prayer "It is truly meet and right...".

MINUTES #8 (5)

Russian Orthodox Church Abroad Bishops Council's session on 12/25 November 2008.

The Council session opened at 2:05 PM singing the prayer "Heavenly King".

Present at the session are Graces:

Bishop VLADIMIR of San Francisco and Western America - Council Chairman,

Bishop ANASTASSY of Vladivostok and the Far East,

Bishop VICTOR of Paris and Western Europe.

Bishop ALEXEI of Saltanova, Moldovan diocese assistant bishop

6. HEARD:

Bp. Vladimir's proposal to add to the prayer "For the salvation of Russia", which is read after the litany of Fervent Supplication during liturgy, the words on the restoration of the royal Throne which was initially included in this prayer and approved by the Bishop's Council of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad on 29 July 12 August, 1924.

Resolved: In the text of the prayer "For the salvation of Russia" of the 1956 Bishop Council's version, after the words "free them from the godless and powers" add the words: "and reestablish the Throne of Orthodox kings", and the rest of the text.

7. HEARD:

Bp. Vladimir's proposal to award abbess Eugenia (Mungaloff) a pectoral cross with ornaments to mark the occasion of her 15-year service as an abbess.

Resolved:

Award abbess Eugenia (Mungaloff) with a pectoral cross with ornaments.

8. HEARD:

Bp. Vladimir's proposal to award deacon John Kochergin with a double orarion for his 6-year service as a deacon.

Resolved:

Award deacon John Kochergin with a double orarion.

9. HEARD:

Bp. Anastassy's proposal to award archpriest Valerii Lapkovsky with a palitsa (a diamond-shaped vestment a senior priest or bishop wears on his right hip-trans).

Information: Valerii Lapkovsky was born in 1945 and has been a priest since 1977. The last award, order of archpriest, was given in 1988; he serves as rector of a new church built by his efforts named after the 40 Martyrs of Sebastie in Theodosia, Ukraine.

Resolved:

Award the palitsa to archpriest Valerii Lapkovsky.

10. HEARD:

Bp. Anastassy's proposal to award priest-monk Tikhon (Kozushin) with a gold pectoral cross.

Information: Priest-monk Tikhon (Kozushin) was born in 1948 and has been a priest since 1991. The last award, a nabedrennik (a rectangular-shaped vestment worn by a priest on the left hip-trans), given in 2004; he serves as rector of the Saint Tikhon's home-church in Moscow and as rector of the Kazan icon Mother-of-God parish in the city of Alexine, Tula province.

Resolved:

To award priest-monk Tikhon (Kozushin) the gold pectoral cross.

11 HEARD:

Bp. Anastassy's proposal to award priest-monk Gerasim (Shironosoff) with a gold pectoral cross.

Information: Priest-monk Gerasim (Shironosoff) was born in 1970 and has been a priest since 1996. The last award , a nabedrennik, was given in 1998; he serves as rector of the Prophet of God Elijah home-church in the village of Bologoe, Udomel region, Tver province and as rector of the St. Gennadii Archbishop of Novgorod home-church in the village of Uglovka, Okuloff region, Novgorod province.

Resolved:

To award priest-monk Gerasim (Shironosoff) the gold pectoral cross.

12. HEARD:

Bp. Anastassy's proposal to elevate priest Oleg Drobiniuk to the rank of archpriest.

Information: Priest Oleg Drobiniuk was born in 1953 and has been a priest since 1984. The last award, a pectoral cross, he received in 1987; he serves as rector of the Friend-of-Sinners icon Mother-of-God church in the village of Ulashanovka, Slavut region, Khmelnitsky province, Ukraine.

Resolved:

To elevate priest Oleg Drobiniuk to the rank of archpriest.

14. HEARD:

On the task of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad Bishop Council's resolution.

After discussion and adding corrections, resolved: to approve the text of the Appeal.

15. HEARD:

On the time and place to conduct the next Bishop's Council.

Resolved:

To set the next meeting of the Bishop's Council for autumn of 2009; the exact date and place to conduct it to agree upon later.

The last session of the Bishop's Council ended at 6:45 PM singing the prayer "It is truly meet and right...".

BISHOPS VICTOR AND ALEXEI APPOINTMENT CERTIFICATES
18/08M
13/26 November 2008
Saint John Chrysostom

TESTIMONY

In fulfilling the Conciliar decision of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad dated 9/22 November 2008 (Minutes #4), WE TESTIFY that on 10/23 November 2008 in the Saint Seraphim of Savor church in Montreal (Canada) Priest-monk Victor (Alexander Parbus) was consecrated a bishop as BISHOP of Paris and Western Europe, within the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.

The consecration was performed by Graces:
+Vladimir, Bishop of San Francisco and Western America
+Anastassy, Bishop of Vladivostok and the Far East

19/08/M 13/26 November 2008
Saint John Chrysostom

TESTIMONY

In fulfilling the Conciliar decision of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad dated 12/25 November 2008 (Minutes #7), WE TESTIFY that on 13/26 November 2008 in the Saint Seraphim of Sarov church (Bishop's podvoriye) in Montreal (Canada) Priest-monk Alexei (Eugene Pergamentseff) was consecrated a bishop as BISHOP of Saltanova, Moldovan diocese assistant Bishop, within the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.

The consecration was performed by Graces:

+Vladimir, Bishop of San Francisco and Western America
+Anastassy, Bishop of Vladivostok and the Far East
+Victor, Bishop of Paris and Western Europe.