1. The Supreme Church Council is the executive body of the Russian Orthodox Church, operating under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod. During the interpatriarchal period, the Supreme Church Council operates under the Locum Tenens and the Holy Synod.
2. The Supreme Church Council is subordinate and accountable to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens) and the Holy Synod.
3. The Supreme Church Council considers:
a) issues of theological education, enlightenment, mission, church social service, information activities of canonical divisions of the Russian Orthodox Church and church funds mass media;
b) issues of relations between the Church and the state, society, Local Orthodox Churches, heterodox confessions and non-Christian religions;
c) issues of church administration and management;
d) other issues submitted to the Supreme Church Council for consideration by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens).
4. The tasks of the Supreme Church Council include:
a) coordination of the activities of synodal and other church-wide institutions;
b) discussion of current issues church life, requiring coordinated actions on the part of synodal and other church-wide institutions;
c) taking measures to implement the decisions of Local and Bishops' Councils, decrees and determinations of the Holy Synod, decrees and orders of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens).
5. Supreme Church Council:
a) hears reports from leaders or representatives of synodal and other church-wide institutions on the activities of these institutions;
b) within the limits of its competence, gives instructions to the synodal institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church and controls their implementation;
c) makes proposals for consideration by the Holy Synod or the Inter-Council Presence.
6. The Supreme Church Council consists of the chairman - the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens), ex-officio members of the Supreme Church Council, as well as members appointed by the Holy Synod in the manner established by the Regulations on the Supreme Church Council.
7. The ex-officio members of the Supreme Church Council are the heads of the synodal institutions listed in Article 6 of Chapter VIII of this Charter. If they leave their position, they cease to be members of the Supreme Church Council.
8. Holy Synod may, upon the recommendation of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', appoint members of the Supreme Church Council from among the heads of divisions of the Moscow Patriarchate, synodal or other church-wide institutions. Members of the Supreme Church Council appointed by the Holy Synod may be removed from the Supreme Church Council on the basis of a determination of the Holy Synod upon the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens).
9. The procedure for the activities of the Supreme Church Council is determined by the Regulations on the Supreme Church Council, approved by the Holy Synod.
Chapter VII. Inter-Council Presence
1. In the periods between the holding of Local and Bishops' Councils, the Inter-Council Presence operates to prepare decisions concerning the most important issues of the internal life and external activities of the Russian Orthodox Church.
2. The tasks of the Inter-Council Presence include a preliminary study of issues considered by the Local Council, preparation of draft decisions on these issues, as well as, on behalf of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' or the Holy Synod, preparation of decisions of the Council of Bishops and the Holy Synod.
3. Members of the Inter-Council Presence are elected by the Holy Synod from among the bishops, clergy, monastics and laity of the Russian Orthodox Church.
4. The composition of the Inter-Council Presence is reviewed by the Holy Synod on the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' every four years. If necessary, the Holy Synod, on the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', may decide to replace a member of the Inter-Council Presence.
5. Permanent members of the Holy Synod and members of the Supreme Church Council are members of the Inter-Council Presence ex officio. If they leave their position, they continue to participate in the activities of the Inter-Council Presence, unless the Holy Synod makes a different decision on this matter.
6. The decision to include an issue on the agenda of the Inter-Council Presence is made by the Local or Bishops' Council, the Holy Synod, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
7. The Inter-Council Presence carries out its activities in the manner determined by the Regulations on the Inter-Council Presence, which is approved by the Holy Synod.
Chapter VIII. Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions
1. 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 is governed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
2. A synodal institution is an institution of the Russian Orthodox Church that is in charge of the range of church-wide affairs within its competence.
3. The Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions are the executive authorities of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod.
The Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions have the exclusive right to represent the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod within the scope of their activities and within the limits of their competence.
4. Synodal institutions are created or abolished by decision of the Holy Synod and are accountable to them.
The regulations (statutes) of the Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions and amendments to them are approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' with the approval of the Holy Synod.
5. Synodal institutions are headed by persons appointed by the Holy Synod.
6. The synodal institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church are:
a) Administration, operating within the Moscow Patriarchate as a synodal institution;
b) Department for External Church Relations;
c) Publishing Council;
d) Educational Committee;
e) Financial and economic management;
f) Department for Monasteries and Monasticism;
g) Department of Religious Education and Catechesis;
h) Department for Church Charity and Social Service;
i) Missionary Department;
j) Department for interaction with the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies;
k) Youth Affairs Department;
l) Department for Relations between the Church and Society and the Media;
m) Department of Prison Ministry;
o) Committee for Interaction with the Cossacks;
n) Patriarchal Council for Culture.
7. If necessary, other synodal institutions may be created.
8. Synodal institutions are coordinating bodies in relation to similar institutions operating in Self-Governing Churches, Exarchates, Metropolitan Districts and Dioceses, and as such have the right to contact, within their competence, diocesan bishops and heads of other canonical units, send them their normative documents and request relevant information.
9. The activities of synodal institutions are regulated by regulations (statutes) approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' with the approval of the Holy Synod.
Chapter IX. Church court
1. Judicial power in the Russian Orthodox Church is exercised by church courts through church proceedings.
2. Judicial system in the Russian Orthodox Church is established by the sacred canons, the present Charter and the Regulations on the Church Court.
3. The unity of the judicial system of the Russian Orthodox Church is ensured by:
a) compliance by all ecclesiastical courts with the established rules of ecclesiastical proceedings;
b) recognition of the mandatory execution by canonical divisions and all members of the Russian Orthodox Church of judicial decisions that have entered into legal force.
4. Court in the Russian Orthodox Church is carried out by church courts of three instances:
a) diocesan courts having jurisdiction within their dioceses;
b) a church-wide court with jurisdiction within the Russian Orthodox Church;
c) the highest court - the court of the Council of Bishops.
5. Canonical bans, such as lifelong ban from priestly service, defrocking, excommunication, are imposed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' or the diocesan bishop with subsequent approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine and Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church).
6. The procedure for conferring powers on judges of church courts is established by the sacred canons, this Charter and the Regulations on the church court.
7. Legal claims are accepted for consideration by the church court in the manner and under the conditions established by the Regulations on the church court.
8. Decrees of church courts that have entered into legal force, as well as their orders, demands, instructions, summonses and other instructions are binding on all clergy and laity without exception.
9. The proceedings in all church courts are closed.
10. The diocesan court is the court of first instance.
11. Judges of diocesan courts may be clergy, vested by the diocesan bishop with the authority to administer justice in the diocese entrusted to him.
The chairman of the court can be either a vicar bishop or a person in presbyteral rank. Members of the court must be persons in the priestly rank.
12. The diocesan court consists of at least five judges holding episcopal or priestly rank. The chairman, deputy chairman and secretary of the diocesan court are appointed by the diocesan bishop. The diocesan assembly elects, on the proposal of the diocesan bishop, at least two members of the diocesan court. The term of office of judges of the diocesan court is three years, with the possibility of reappointment or re-election to new term.
13. Early recall of the chairman or member of the diocesan court is carried out by decision of the diocesan bishop.
14. Church legal proceedings are carried out in a court session with the participation of the chairman and at least two members of the court.
15. The competence and legal procedure of the diocesan court are determined by the Regulations on the Church Court.
16. Decisions of the diocesan court enter into legal force and are subject to execution after their approval by the diocesan bishop, and in the cases provided for in Article 5 of this chapter - from the moment of approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine and Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church).
17. Diocesan courts are financed from diocesan budgets.
18. The General Church Court considers, as a court of first instance, cases of ecclesiastical offenses by bishops and heads of synodal institutions. The General Church Court is the court of second instance in cases of ecclesiastical offenses by clergy, monastics and laity, within the jurisdiction of diocesan courts.
19. The pan-church court consists of a chairman and at least four members in the rank of bishop, who are elected by the Council of Bishops for a period of 4 years.
20. Early recall of the chairman or member of the church-wide court is carried out by a decision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod, followed by approval by the Council of Bishops.
21. The right to appoint an acting chairman or member of the General Church Court in the event of a vacancy belongs to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod.
22. The competence and legal procedure of the general church court are determined by the Regulations on the church court.
23. Decrees of the general church court are subject to execution after their approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod.
In case of disagreement of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod with the decision of the General Church Court, the decision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod comes into force.
In this case, for a final decision, the case may be referred to the court of the Council of Bishops.
24. The general church court exercises judicial supervision over the activities of diocesan courts in the procedural forms provided for in the Regulations on the Church Court.
25. The church-wide court is financed from the church-wide budget.
26. The Court of the Council of Bishops is the ecclesiastical court of the highest instance.
27. The Court of the Council of Bishops, acting as part of the Local Council, is the first and final authority on dogmatic and canonical deviations in the activities of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
28. The Council of Bishops carries out legal proceedings in accordance with the Regulations on the Church Court.
29. The activities of church courts are ensured by the apparatus of these courts, which are subordinate to their chairmen and act on the basis of the Regulations on the Church Court.
Chapter X. Autonomous Churches
1. Autonomous Churches that are part of the Moscow Patriarchate carry out their activities on the basis and within the limits provided by the Patriarchal Tomos, issued in accordance with the decisions of the Local or Bishops' Council.
2. The decision on the formation or abolition of the Autonomous Church, as well as the determination of its territorial boundaries, is made by the Local Council.
3. The bodies of ecclesiastical authority and management of the Autonomous Church are the Council and the Synod, headed by the Primate of the Autonomous Church in the rank of metropolitan or archbishop.
4. The Primate of the Autonomous Church is elected by its Council.
5. The Primate takes office after approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
6. The Primate is the diocesan bishop of his diocese and heads the Autonomous Church on the basis of the canons, this Charter and the Charter of the Autonomous Church.
7. The name of the Primate is commemorated in all churches of the Autonomous Church after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
8. The bishops of the Autonomous Church are elected by its Synod.
9. The bishops of the Autonomous Church are members of the Local and Bishops' Councils and participate in their work in accordance with Sections II and III of this Charter and in meetings of the Holy Synod.
10. The decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils and the Holy Synod are binding on the Autonomous Church.
11. The General Church Court and the court of the Council of Bishops are the highest ecclesiastical courts for the Autonomous Church.
12. The Council of the Autonomous Church adopts the Charter regulating the governance of this Church on the basis and within the limits provided by the Patriarchal Tomos. The draft Statute of the Autonomous Church is subject to written agreement with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
13. The Council and Synod of the Autonomous Church operate within the boundaries determined by the Patriarchal Tomos, this Charter and the Charter regulating the governance of the Autonomous Church.
14. The Autonomous Church receives holy chrism from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
15. Autonomous are:
Chinese Orthodox Church;
Japanese Orthodox Church.
d) be at least 40 years old.
Chapter V. Holy Synod
1 . The Holy Synod, headed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens), is the governing body of the Russian Orthodox Church in the period between Councils of Bishops.
2 . The Holy Synod is responsible to the Council of Bishops and, through the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', submits to it a report on its activities during the inter-Council period.
3 . The Holy Synod consists of a chairman - the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens), nine permanent and five temporary members - diocesan bishops.
4 . The permanent members are: in the department - metropolitans of Kiev and all Ukraine; St. Petersburg and Ladoga; Krutitsky and Kolomensky; Minsky and Slutsky, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus; Chisinau and all Moldova; Astana and Kazakhstan, head of the Metropolitan District in the Republic of Kazakhstan; Tashkent and Uzbekistan, head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District; by position - chairman of the Department for External Church Relations and manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate.
5 . Temporary members are called to attend one session, according to the seniority of the episcopal consecration, one from each group into which the dioceses are divided. A bishop cannot be summoned to the Holy Synod until the expiration of his two-year term of administration of a given diocese.
6 . The synodal year is divided into two sessions: summer (March-August) and winter (September-February).
7 . Diocesan bishops, heads of synodal institutions and rectors of theological academies may be present in the Holy Synod with the right of an advisory vote when considering cases concerning the dioceses, institutions, academies they govern or their exercise of church-wide obedience.
8 . The participation of permanent and temporary members of the Holy Synod in its meetings is their canonical duty. Members of the Synod who are absent without good reason are subject to fraternal admonition.
9 . In exceptional cases, the quorum of the Holy Synod consists of 2/3 of its members.
10 . Meetings of the Holy Synod are convened by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Locum Tenens). In the event of the death of the Patriarch, no later than on the third day, the Patriarchal Vicar - Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna - convenes a meeting of the Holy Synod to elect a Locum Tenens.
11 . As a rule, meetings of the Holy Synod are closed. Members of the Holy Synod are seated according to the protocol adopted in the Russian Orthodox Church.
12 . The Holy Synod works on the basis of an agenda presented by the chairman and approved by the Holy Synod at the beginning of the first meeting. Issues requiring preliminary study are sent by the chairman to the members of the Holy Synod in advance. Members of the Holy Synod may make proposals on the agenda and raise issues with prior notification of the chairman.
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14 . In the event that the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', for any reason, is temporarily unable to exercise chairmanship duties in the Holy Synod, the duties of the chairman are performed by the oldest permanent member of the Holy Synod by episcopal consecration. The Temporary Chairman of the Holy Synod is not a canonical Locum Tenens.
15 . The secretary of the Holy Synod is the manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate. The secretary is responsible for preparing the materials necessary for the Holy Synod and compiling the journals of the meetings.
16 . Matters in the Holy Synod are decided by the general consent of all members participating in the meeting or by a majority vote. In case of equality of votes, the vote of the chairman is decisive.
17 . No one present in the Holy Synod may abstain from voting.
18 . Each of the members of the Holy Synod, in case of disagreement with the decision made, may submit a separate opinion, which must be stated at the same meeting outlining its reasons and submitted in writing no later than three days from the date of the meeting. Individual opinions are attached to the case without stopping its decision.
19 . The chairman does not have the right, by his own authority, to remove matters proposed on the agenda from discussion, to prevent their resolution or to suspend the implementation of such decisions.
20 . In those cases when the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' recognizes that the decision made will not bring benefit and benefit to the Church, he protests. The protest must be made at the same meeting and then stated in in writing within seven days. After this period, the case is again considered by the Holy Synod. If the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' does not find it possible to agree with the new decision of the case, then it is suspended and referred to the Council of Bishops for consideration. If it is impossible to postpone the matter and a decision must be made immediately, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' acts at his own discretion. The decision made in this way is submitted for consideration to an extraordinary Council of Bishops, on which the final resolution of the issue depends.
21 . When the Holy Synod is considering a case of a complaint against members of the Holy Synod, the interested person may be present at the meeting and give explanations, but when the case is decided, the accused member of the Holy Synod is obliged to leave the meeting room. When considering a complaint against the chairman, he transfers the chairmanship to the oldest hierarch according to episcopal consecration from among the permanent members of the Holy Synod.
22 . All journals and decisions of the Holy Synod are signed first by the chairman, then by all members present at the meeting, at least some of them did not agree with the decision made and submitted a separate opinion on it.
23 . The determinations of the Holy Synod come into force after they are signed and are not subject to revision, except in cases where new data is presented that changes the essence of the matter.
24 . The Chairman of the Holy Synod exercises supreme supervision over the exact implementation of the adopted resolutions.
25 . The duties of the Holy Synod include:
a) care for the intact preservation and interpretation of the Orthodox faith, norms of Christian morality and piety;
b) serving the internal unity of the Russian Orthodox Church;
c) maintaining unity with other Orthodox Churches;
d) organizing the internal and external activities of the Church and resolving issues of general church significance arising in connection with this;
e) interpretation of canonical decrees and resolution of difficulties associated with their application;
f) regulation of liturgical issues;
g) issuing disciplinary decisions concerning clergy, monastics and church workers;
h) assessment major events in the field of interchurch, interfaith and interreligious relations;
i) maintaining interfaith and interreligious ties, both on the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate and beyond its borders;
j) coordination of the actions of the entire Russian Orthodox Church in its efforts to achieve peace and justice;
k) expression of pastoral concern for social problems;
l) addressing special messages to all children of the Russian Orthodox Church;
m) maintaining proper relations between and the state in accordance with this Charter and current legislation;
o) approval of the statutes of Self-Governing Churches, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts;
n) adoption of civil statutes of the Russian Orthodox Church and its canonical divisions, as well as introducing changes and additions to them;
p) consideration of the journals of the Synods of the Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts;
c) resolving issues related to the establishment or abolition of canonical divisions of the Russian Orthodox Church accountable to the Holy Synod with subsequent approval at the Council of Bishops;
r) establishing the procedure for ownership, use and disposal of buildings and property of the Russian Orthodox Church;
s) approval of decisions of the General Church Court in cases provided for by the Regulations on the Church Court.
26 . Holy Synod:
a) elects, appoints, in exceptional cases moves bishops and dismisses them;
b) calls bishops to attend the Holy Synod;
c) if necessary, on the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', considers the reports of bishops on the state of the dioceses and makes decisions on them;
d) through its members, inspects the activities of bishops whenever it deems it necessary;
e) determines the content of bishops.
27 . The Holy Synod appoints:
a) heads of synodal institutions and, on their recommendation, their deputies;
b) rectors of theological academies and seminaries, abbots (abbesses) and governors of monasteries;
c) bishops, clergy and laity to undergo responsible obedience in distant countries;
d) on the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', members of the Supreme Church Council from among the heads of synodal or other church-wide institutions, divisions of the Moscow Patriarchate;
e) on the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', members of the Inter-Council Presence.
28 . The Holy Synod may create commissions or other working bodies to care for:
a) on solving important theological problems related to the internal and external activities of the Church;
Chapter XI. Self-Governing Churches
1 . Self-governing Churches that are part of the Moscow Patriarchate carry out their activities on the basis and within the limits provided by the Patriarchal Tomos, issued in accordance with the decisions of the Local or Bishops' Council.
2 . The decision on the formation or abolition of the Self-Governing Church, as well as the determination of its territorial boundaries, is made by the Local Council.
3 . The bodies of ecclesiastical power and administration of the Self-Governing Church are the Council and the Synod, headed by the Primate of the Self-Governing Church in the rank of metropolitan or archbishop.
4 . The Primate of the Self-Governing Church is elected by the Council from among candidates approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod.
5 . The Primate takes office after approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
6 . The Primate is the diocesan bishop of his diocese and heads the Self-Governing Church on the basis of the canons, the present Charter and the Charter of the Self-Governing Church.
7 . The name of the Primate is commemorated in all churches of the Self-Governing Church after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
8 . Decisions on the formation or abolition of dioceses included in the Self-Governing Church and on the determination of their territorial boundaries are made by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod on the proposal of the Synod of the Self-Governing Church with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.
9 . The bishops of the Self-Governing Church are elected by the Synod from candidates approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod.
10 . The bishops of the Self-Governing Church are members of the Local and Bishops' Councils and participate in their work in accordance with Sections II and III of this Charter and in meetings of the Holy Synod.
11 . The decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils and the Holy Synod are binding on the Self-Governing Church.
12 . The General Church Court and the Court of the Council of Bishops are the highest ecclesiastical courts for the Self-Governing Church.
13 . The Council of the Self-Governing Church adopts the Charter regulating the management of this Church on the basis and within the limits provided by the Patriarchal Tomos. The Charter is subject to approval by the Holy Synod and approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
14 . The Council and Synod of the Self-Governing Church operate within the boundaries determined by the Patriarchal Tomos, the present Charter and the Charter regulating the management of the Self-Governing Church.
17 . The self-governing part of the Russian Orthodox Church is the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in the historically established totality of its dioceses, parishes and other church institutions.
The norms of this Charter are applied therein taking into account the Act on Canonical Communion of May 17, 2007, as well as the Regulations on the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad with amendments and additions made by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad on May 13, 2008.
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In her life and work, she is guided by the Tomos 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'.
Chapter XII. Exarchates
1 . The dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church can be united into Exarchates. The basis of such a unification is the national-regional principle.
2 . Decisions on the creation or dissolution of Exarchates, as well as on their name and territorial boundaries, are made by the Holy Synod with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.
3 . The decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils and the Holy Synod are binding on the Exarchates.
4 . The General Church Court and the Court of the Council of Bishops are the highest ecclesiastical courts for the Exarchate.
5 . The highest ecclesiastical authority in the Exarchate belongs to the Synod of the Exarchate, chaired by the Exarch.
6 . The Synod of the Exarchate adopts the Charter regulating the management of the Exarchate. The Charter is subject to the approval of the Holy Synod and approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
7 . The Synod of the Exarchate acts on the basis of the canons, this Charter and the Charter regulating the management of the Exarchate.
8 . The journals of the Synod of the Exarchate are presented to the Holy Synod and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
9 . The Exarch is elected by the Holy Synod and appointed by Patriarchal Decree.
10 . The Exarch is the diocesan bishop of his diocese and heads the management of the Exarchate on the basis of the canons, this Charter and the Charter regulating the management of the Exarchate.
11 . The name of the Exarch is exalted in all churches of the Exarchate after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
12 . Diocesan and suffragan bishops of the Exarchate are elected and appointed by the Holy Synod on the proposal of the Synod of the Exarchate.
13 . Decisions on the formation or abolition of dioceses included in the Exarchate and on the determination of their territorial boundaries are made by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod on the proposal of the Synod of the Exarchate with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.
14 . The Exarchate receives the Holy Chrism from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
15 . The Russian Orthodox Church currently has a Belarusian Exarchate, located on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. “Belarusian Orthodox” is another official name of the Belarusian Exarchate.
Chapter XIII. Metropolitan districts
1 . The dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church can be united into Metropolitan districts.
2 . Decisions on the creation or abolition of Metropolitan districts, as well as on their names and territorial boundaries, are made by the Holy Synod with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.
3 . The decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils and the Holy Synod are binding for the Metropolitan districts.
4 . The General Church Court and the Court of the Council of Bishops are the highest ecclesiastical courts for the Metropolitan District.
5 . The highest ecclesiastical authority in the Metropolitan District belongs to the Synod of the Metropolitan District, chaired by the head of the Metropolitan District. The Synod of the Metropolitan District consists of diocesan and suffragan bishops of the dioceses of the Metropolitan District.
6 . The Synod of the Metropolitan District submits, at the discretion of the Holy Synod and the approval of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', the draft Charter of the Metropolitan District, and, if necessary, the draft internal regulations on the Metropolitan District, as well as draft subsequent amendments to these documents.
7 . The Synod of the District submits, at the discretion of the Holy Synod and the approval of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', draft Statutes of the dioceses of the Metropolitan District, parishes, monasteries, theological schools and other canonical units, as well as changes (additions) to them.
8 . The District Synod operates on the basis of the canons, this Charter, the Charter regulating the management of the Metropolitan District, and (or) the internal regulations of the Metropolitan District.
9 . The journals of the Synod of the Metropolitan District are submitted to the Holy Synod and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
10 . The bishop heading the Metropolitan District is elected by the Holy Synod and appointed by Patriarchal Decree.
11 . The bishop heading the Metropolitan District is the diocesan bishop of his diocese and heads the administration of the Metropolitan District on the basis of the canons, this Charter and the Charter regulating the management of the Metropolitan District.
12 . The name of the bishop heading the Metropolitan District is exalted in all churches of the Metropolitan District after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
13 . The diocesan and suffragan bishops of the Metropolitan District are elected and appointed by the Holy Synod.
14 . Decisions on the formation or abolition of dioceses included in the Metropolitan District and on the determination of their territorial boundaries are made by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod, followed by approval by the Council of Bishops.
15 The Metropolitan District receives the Holy Chrism from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
16 . The Russian Orthodox Church currently has:
· Metropolitan district in the Republic of Kazakhstan;
· Central Asian Metropolitan District.
Chapter XIV. Metropolises
1 . Two or more dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church can be united into metropolitanates.
2 . Metropolises are formed for the purpose of coordinating the liturgical, pastoral, missionary, spiritual and educational, educational, youth, social, charitable, publishing, information activities of dioceses, as well as their interaction with society and authorities state power.
3 . Decisions on the creation or abolition of metropolises, on their name, borders, and on the composition of their dioceses are made by the Holy Synod with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.
4 . The dioceses that are part of the metropolises are under the direct canonical subordination of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', the Holy Synod, the Bishops' Council and the Local Council.
5 . The highest authority for the diocesan church courts of the dioceses that are part of the metropolises is the General Church Court.
6 . As needed, but at least twice a year, the metropolitan bishops’ council is convened in the metropolis, consisting of all diocesan and vicar bishops of the metropolis, as well as the secretary of the bishops’ council appointed by the head of the metropolis.
The powers of the bishops' council, as well as the procedure for its activities, are determined by the Regulations on Metropolises, approved by the Holy Synod.
7 . Vicar bishops of the metropolitan dioceses participate in the bishops' council with the right to a decisive vote.
8 . The head of the metropolitanate (metropolitan) is the diocesan bishop of one of the dioceses that are part of the metropolitanate, and is appointed by the Holy Synod, receiving a decree from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
9 . The name of the head of the metropolitanate (metropolitan) is exalted in all churches of the metropolitanate after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus':
· within the boundaries of his diocese with the wording “Our Lord, His Eminence (name), Metropolitan (title)” (in short form: “Our Lord, His Eminence, Metropolitan (name)”);
· within other dioceses with the wording “Mr. Most Reverend (name), Metropolitan (title)” (in short form: “Mr. Most Reverend Metropolitan (name)”).
10 . The affairs of the metropolitanate are carried out by the diocesan administration of the diocese, headed by the metropolitan.
11 . The powers of the head of the metropolis (metropolitan) are determined by the Regulations on Metropolises.
Chapter XV. Dioceses
1 . The Russian Orthodox Church is divided into dioceses - local Churches, headed by a bishop and uniting diocesan institutions, deaneries, parishes, monasteries, metochions, monastic hermitages, spiritual educational institutions, brotherhood, sisterhood, mission.
2 . Dioceses are established by decision of the Holy Synod, with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.
3 . The boundaries of dioceses are determined by the Holy Synod.
4 . In each diocese there are diocesan governing bodies that operate within the limits determined by the canons and this Charter.
5 . To satisfy church needs, the necessary institutions can be created in dioceses, the activities of which are regulated by regulations (statutes) approved by the Holy Synod.
1. Diocesan bishop
6 . The diocesan bishop, by succession of power from the holy apostles, is the head of the local Church - the diocese, canonically governing it with the conciliar assistance of the clergy and laity.
7 . The diocesan bishop is elected by the Holy Synod, receiving a decree from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
8 . Whenever necessary, the Holy Synod appoints vicar bishops to assist the diocesan bishop with a range of responsibilities determined by the Regulations on Diocesan Vicariates, or at the discretion of the diocesan bishop.
9 . Bishops bear a title that includes the name of the cathedral city. Bishop's titles are determined by the Holy Synod.
10 . Candidates for bishops are elected at least 30 years of age from monastic or unmarried white clergy with mandatory tonsure as a monk. The elected candidate must correspond to the high rank of bishop in moral qualities and have a theological education.
11 . Bishops enjoy all the fullness of hierarchical power in matters of religious doctrine, sacred rites and shepherding.
12 . The diocesan bishop ordains and appoints clergy to their place of service, appoints all employees of diocesan institutions and blesses monastic tonsures.
13 . The diocesan bishop has the right to accept into the clergy of his diocese clergy from other dioceses in the presence of letters of leave, and also to release clergy to other dioceses, providing, at the request of the bishops, their personal files and letters of leave.
14 . Without the consent of the diocesan bishop, not a single decision of the diocesan government bodies can be implemented.
15 . The diocesan bishop can address archpastoral messages to the clergy and laity within his diocese.
16 . The duty of the diocesan bishop is to submit to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' an annual report in the prescribed form on the religious, administrative, financial and economic state of the diocese and on his activities.
17 . The diocesan bishop is the authorized representative of the Russian Orthodox Church before the relevant government authorities and bodies local government on issues related to the activities of the diocese.
18 . In administering the diocese, the bishop:
a) takes care of maintaining the faith, Christian morality and piety;
b) oversees the correct performance of divine services and the observance of church splendor;
c) bears responsibility for the implementation of the provisions of this Charter, resolutions of the Councils and the Holy Synod;
d) convenes the diocesan meeting and the diocesan council and presides over them;
e) if necessary, exercises the right of veto on decisions of the diocesan meeting with subsequent transfer of the relevant issue for consideration by the Holy Synod;
f) approves the civil charters of parishes, monasteries, farmsteads and other canonical units included in the diocese;
g) in accordance with the canons, visits the parishes of his diocese and exercises control over their activities directly or through his authorized representatives;
h) has senior management supervision over diocesan institutions and monasteries included in his diocese;
i) oversees the activities of the diocesan clergy;
j) appoints (dismisses) rectors, parish priests and other clergy;
k) submits for approval by the Holy Synod candidates for the positions of rectors of religious educational institutions, abbots (abbesses) and governors of monasteries of diocesan subordination and, based on the decision of the Holy Synod, issues decrees on the appointment of these officials;
l) approves the composition of parish meetings;
m) partially or completely changes the composition of the parish meeting if members of the parish meeting deviate from the canonical rules and regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as if they violate the parish charter;
n) decides to convene a parish meeting;
o) approves (dismisses) from office the chairmen of audit commissions and treasurers of parishes elected by the parish assembly;
p) removes from the parish councils members of parish councils who violate canonical norms and parish statutes;
c) approves financial and other reports of parish councils and parish audit commissions;
r) has the right to appoint (dismiss) the chairman of the parish council, assistant rector (church warden) with their inclusion in (removal from) the parish meeting and the parish council;
s) approves the minutes of parish meetings;
t) provides vacations to the clergy;
x) takes care of improving the spiritual and moral state of the clergy and raising their educational level;
c) has care for the training of clergy and clergy, in connection with which he directs worthy candidates for admission to religious educational institutions;
h) monitors the state of church preaching;
w) petitions the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' to reward worthy clergy and laity with appropriate awards and, in accordance with the established procedure, awards them himself;
y) gives a blessing for the establishment of new parishes;
e) gives a blessing for the construction and repair of churches, houses of worship and chapels and takes care that their appearance and interior decoration correspond to the Orthodox church tradition;
j) consecrates temples;
i) has care for the state of church singing, icon painting and applied church arts;
z1) petitions government and administrative bodies for the return of churches and other buildings and structures intended for church purposes to the diocese;
z2) resolves issues related to the ownership, use and disposal of diocese property;
z3) manages the financial resources of the diocese, concludes contracts on its behalf, issues powers of attorney, opens accounts in banking institutions, has the right of first signature of financial and other documents;
z4) exercises control over religious, administrative and financial activities parishes, monasteries, educational institutions and other divisions of the diocese;
z5) issues its own executive and administrative acts on all issues of the life and activities of the diocese;
z6) confirms that all parishes, monasteries and other canonical divisions of the diocese located on its territory belong to the headed diocese;
z7) takes care directly or through the relevant diocesan institutions:
· about acts of mercy and charity;
· on providing parishes with everything necessary for performing divine services;
· about meeting other church needs.
19 . Supervising canonical order and church discipline, the diocesan bishop:
a) has the right of paternal influence and discipline in relation to clergy, including punishment by reprimand, removal from office and temporary prohibition in the priesthood;
b) admonishes the laity, if necessary, in accordance with the canons, imposes bans on them or temporarily excommunicates them from church communion. Serious offenses are referred to the ecclesiastical court;
c) approves the penalties of the church court and has the right to mitigate them;
d) in accordance with the canons, resolves issues arising during church marriages and divorces.
20 . The dowager diocese is temporarily governed by a bishop appointed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. During the period of widowhood of the bishop's see, no business is undertaken regarding the reorganization of diocesan life, and no changes are made in the work begun during the period of administration of the previous bishop.
21 . In the event of widowhood of the diocese, transfer of the ruling bishop or his retirement, the diocesan council creates a commission that begins to audit the diocesan property and draws up an appropriate act for the transfer of the diocese to the newly appointed bishop.
22 . Church property, which the bishop possessed by virtue of his position and position and which is located in the official bishop's residence, after his death is entered into the inventory book of the diocese and passes to it. The personal property of a deceased bishop is inherited in accordance with current laws.
23 . A diocese cannot be widowed for more than forty days, except in special cases where there are sufficient grounds for extending the widowhood.
24 . Diocesan bishops are given the right to leave their dioceses for good reasons for a period of no more than 14 days, without first seeking permission from the highest church authority; for a longer period, bishops request such permission in the prescribed manner.
25 . The content of diocesan bishops is determined by the Holy Synod. Upon leaving service, they are assigned a bishop's pension, the amount of which is determined by the Holy Synod.
26 . Upon reaching the age of 75, the bishop submits a request for retirement to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. The question of when to satisfy such a petition is decided by the Holy Synod.
2. Diocesan vicariates
27 . A diocesan vicariate is a canonical division of a diocese, uniting one or more deaneries of the diocese.
28 . belongs to the diocesan bishop supreme authority on vicariate management.
29 . A vicar bishop is appointed to a position (removed from office) upon the recommendation of the diocesan bishop by determination of the Holy Synod.
The vicar bishop assists the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese. The powers of the vicar bishop managing the vicariate are determined by the Regulations on diocesan vicariates, approved by the Holy Synod, as well as written or oral instructions of the diocesan bishop.
To assist the diocesan bishop, suffragan bishops who do not administer vicariates may also be appointed. Their powers are determined by written and oral instructions of the diocesan bishop.
30 . The vicar bishop is ex-officio a member of the diocesan council and the diocesan assembly of the diocese with the right of casting vote.
31 . To carry out his activities, the vicar bishop:
a) convenes a meeting of the clergy of the vicariate;
b) creates a council and records management service for the vicariate.
The meeting of clergy of the vicariate and the council of the vicariate are advisory bodies under the vicar bishop.
32 . The assembly of clergy of the vicariate consists of clergy from all canonical divisions of the vicariate.
The powers, as well as the procedure for the activities of the meeting of clergy of the vicariate, are determined by the Regulations on diocesan vicariates.
The decisions of the meeting of clergy of the vicariate come into force after their approval by the diocesan bishop.
33 . The Vicariate Council includes:
a) suffragan bishop;
b) deans of the districts that are part of the vicariate;
c) confessor of the vicariate;
d) one clergyman elected for a term of three years by the meeting of clergy of the vicariate from each deanery that is part of the vicariate;
e) no more than three clergy at the discretion of the diocesan bishop.
The chairman of the vicariate council is the vicar bishop. The secretary of the vicariate council is a member of the vicariate council, appointed to this position by order of the vicar bishop.
The composition of the vicariate council is approved by the diocesan bishop.
The powers, as well as the procedure for the activities of the vicariate council, are determined by the Regulations on diocesan vicariates.
The decisions of the vicariate council come into force after their approval by the diocesan bishop.
34 . A secretariat may function under the vicariate, whose employees are appointed by order of the vicar bishop.
35 . The head of the secretariat of the vicariate reports to the vicar bishop and is appointed by him to the position.
3. Diocesan Assembly
36 . The diocesan assembly, headed by the diocesan bishop, is the governing body of the diocese and consists of clergy, monastics and laity living in the territory of the diocese and representing the canonical units that make up the diocese.
37 . The diocesan meeting is convened by the diocesan bishop at his discretion, but at least once a year, as well as by decision of the diocesan council or at the request of at least 1/3 of the members of the previous diocesan meeting.
The procedure for convening members of the diocesan assembly is established by the diocesan council.
Vicar bishops are ex-officio members of the diocesan assembly with voting rights.
38 . Diocesan Assembly:
a) elects delegates to the Local Council;
b) elects members of the diocesan council and diocesan court;
c) creates the necessary diocesan institutions and takes care of their financial support;
d) develops general diocesan rules and regulations in accordance with conciliar decrees and decisions of the Holy Synod;
e) observes the course of diocesan life;
f) hears reports on the state of the diocese, on the work of diocesan institutions, on the life of monasteries and other canonical units that are part of the diocese, and makes decisions on them;
g) considers annual reports on the activities of the diocesan council.
39 . The chairman of the diocesan meeting is the diocesan bishop. The diocesan meeting elects a deputy chairman and a secretary. The vice-chairman may preside over the meeting at the direction of the chairperson. The secretary is responsible for preparing the journals of the meetings of the diocesan assembly.
40 . The quorum of the meeting is a majority (more than half) of the members. Decisions are made by majority vote. In case of equality of votes, the vote of the chairman is decisive
41 . The diocesan meeting operates in accordance with the adopted regulations.
42 . The journals of the meetings of the diocesan meeting are signed by the chairman, his deputy, the secretary and two members of the meeting elected for this purpose.
43 . The Diocesan Council, headed by the diocesan bishop, is the governing body of the diocese.
The diocesan council is formed with the blessing of the diocesan bishop and consists of at least four persons in the priestly rank, half of whom are appointed by the bishop, and the rest are elected by the diocesan assembly for three years.
Vicar bishops are ex-officio members of the diocesan council with voting rights.
44 . If members of the diocesan council violate the doctrinal, canonical or moral norms of the Orthodox Church, as well as if they are under ecclesiastical court or investigation, they are removed from their positions by decision of the diocesan bishop.
45 . The chairman of the diocesan council is the diocesan bishop.
46 . The Diocesan Council meets regularly, but at least once every six months.
47 . The quorum of the diocesan council is a majority of its members.
48 . The Diocesan Council works on the basis of an agenda presented by the chairman.
49 . The chairman presides over the meeting in accordance with the adopted rules.
50 . The bishop appoints the secretary of the diocesan council from among its members. The secretary is responsible for preparing materials necessary for the council and compiling minutes of meetings.
51 . If disagreements arise during the consideration of a case, the case is resolved by a majority vote; In case of equality of votes, the vote of the chairman is decisive.
52 . The journals of the meetings of the diocesan council are signed by all its members.
53 . The Diocesan Council, in accordance with the instructions of the diocesan bishop:
a) carries out the decisions of the diocesan meeting that fall under the jurisdiction of the council, reports to it on the work done;
b) establishes the procedure for electing members of the diocesan assembly;
c) prepares meetings of the diocesan meeting, including proposals for the agenda;
d) submits its annual reports to the diocesan meeting;
e) considers issues related to the opening of parishes, deaneries, monasteries, production and economic activities, governing bodies and other divisions of the diocese;
f) takes care of finding funds to satisfy the material needs of the diocese, and, if necessary, parishes;
g) determines the boundaries of deaneries and parishes;
h) considers the reports of deans and makes appropriate decisions on them;
i) oversees the activities of parish councils;
j) considers plans for the construction, major repairs and restoration of churches;
k) keeps records and takes measures to preserve the property of the canonical divisions of the diocese, including buildings of churches, houses of worship, chapels, monasteries, and religious educational institutions;
l) within the limits of its competence, resolve issues related to the ownership, use and disposal of the property of parishes, monasteries and other canonical units of the diocese; real estate canonical units included in the diocese, namely buildings, structures, land plots can be alienated only on the basis of a decision of the diocesan council;
m) carries out an audit of diocesan institutions;
o) takes care of provision for casual clergy and church workers;
o) discusses preparatory activities for anniversaries, general diocesan celebrations and other important events;
p) resolves any other matters that the diocesan bishop sends to the diocesan council for their resolution or for study in order to provide it with the necessary recommendations;
c) considers issues of liturgical practice and church discipline.
5. Diocesan administrations and other diocesan institutions
54 . The diocesan administration is the executive body of the diocese, under the direct supervision of the diocesan bishop and called upon, together with other diocesan institutions, to assist the bishop in the exercise of his executive power.
55 . The bishop carries out senior management supervision over the work of the diocesan administration and all diocesan institutions and appoints their employees in accordance with the staffing table.
56 . The activities of diocesan administrations, like other diocesan institutions, are regulated by regulations (statutes) approved by the Holy Synod and by bishop's orders.
57 . Each diocesan department must have an office, accounting, archive and the required number of other departments that provide missionary, publishing, social and charitable, educational, restoration and construction, economic and other types of diocesan activities.
58 . The secretary of the diocesan administration is responsible for the records management of the diocese and, within the limits determined by the diocesan bishop, assists him in the management of the diocese and in the management of the diocesan administration.
6. Deanery
59 . The diocese is divided into dean districts headed by deans appointed by the diocesan bishop.
60 . The boundaries of deaneries and their names are determined by the diocesan council.
61 . The responsibilities of the dean include:
a) concern for the purity of the Orthodox faith and the worthy church and moral education of believers;
b) monitoring the correct and regular performance of divine services, the splendor and decorum in churches, and the state of church preaching;
c) concern for the implementation of decrees and instructions of the diocesan authorities;
d) care for the timely receipt of parish contributions to the diocese;
e) giving advice to clergy both regarding the performance of their duties and regarding their personal lives;
f) eliminating misunderstandings between the clergy, as well as between the clergy and the laity, without formal legal proceedings and with a report on the most significant incidents to the ruling bishop;
g) preliminary investigation of church offenses at the direction of the diocesan bishop;
h) petition to the bishop for awards to clergy and laity deserving of encouragement;
i) making proposals to the ruling bishop to fill the vacant positions of priests, deacons, psalm-readers and regents;
j) taking care of satisfying the religious needs of believers in parishes that temporarily do not have clergy;
k) supervision of construction and repairs church buildings within the deanery;
l) concern for the presence at churches of everything necessary for the correct performance of divine services and normal parish office work;
m) fulfillment of other duties assigned to him by the bishop.
62 . Carrying out his duties, the dean, at least once a year, visits all the parishes of his district, checking the liturgical life, internal and external condition temples and other church buildings, as well as the correct conduct of parish affairs and church archives, becoming familiar with the religious and moral state of believers.
63 . At the direction of the diocesan bishop, at the request of the rector, the parish council or the parish meeting, the dean may hold meetings of the parish meeting.
64 . With the blessing of the diocesan bishop, the dean can convene priests for fraternal conferences to consider the church needs common to the deanery.
65 . Every year the dean submits to the diocesan bishop a report on the state of the deanery and on his work in the prescribed form.
66 . Under the dean there may be an office, the employees of which are appointed by the dean with the knowledge of the diocesan bishop.
67 . The activities of the dean are financed from the funds of the parish he heads, and, if necessary, from general diocesan funds.
Chapter XVI. Parishes
1 . A parish is a community of Orthodox Christians, consisting of clergy and laity, united at the church.
The parish is a canonical division of the Russian Orthodox Church and is under the supervision of its diocesan bishop and under the leadership of the priest-rector appointed by him.
2 . The parish is formed by the voluntary consent of believing citizens of the Orthodox faith who have reached the age of majority, with the blessing of the diocesan bishop. To obtain the status of a legal entity, the parish is registered government agencies in the manner determined by the legislation of the country where the parish is located. Parish boundaries are set by the diocesan council.
3 . The parish begins its activities after the blessing of the diocesan bishop.
4 . The parish in its civil legal activities is obliged to comply with canonical rules, internal regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church and the legislation of the country of location.
5 . The parish obligatorily allocates funds through the diocese for general church needs in the amount established by the Holy Synod, and for diocesan needs in the manner and amount established by the diocesan authorities.
6 . The parish in its religious, administrative, financial and economic activities is subordinate and accountable to the diocesan bishop. The parish carries out the decisions of the diocesan meeting and the diocesan council and the orders of the diocesan bishop.
7 . In the event of the separation of any part or the withdrawal of all members of the parish assembly from the parish, they cannot claim any rights to the parish property and funds.
8 . If the parish meeting makes a decision to withdraw from the hierarchical structure and jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, the parish is deprived of confirmation of belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, which entails the cessation of the parish’s activities as a religious organization of the Russian Orthodox Church and deprives it of the right to property that belonged to the parish as a right property, use or on any other legal basis, as well as the right to use the name and symbols of the Russian Orthodox Church in the name.
9 . Parish churches, houses of worship and chapels are established with the blessing of the diocesan authorities and in compliance with the order established by law.
10 . The administration of the parish is carried out by the diocesan bishop, the rector, the parish assembly, the parish council, and the chairman of the parish council.
The diocesan bishop has the highest management of the parish.
The audit commission is the body monitoring the activities of the parish.
11 . Brotherhoods and sisterhoods are created by parishioners only with the consent of the rector and with the blessing of the diocesan bishop. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods have the goal of attracting parishioners to participate in the care and work of maintaining churches in proper condition, in charity, mercy, religious and moral education and upbringing. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods at parishes are under the supervision of the rector. In exceptional cases, the charter of a brotherhood or sisterhood, approved by the diocesan bishop, may be submitted for state registration.
12 . Brotherhoods and sisterhoods begin their activities after the blessing of the diocesan bishop.
13 . In carrying out their activities, brotherhoods and sisterhoods are guided by this Charter, decisions of Local and Bishops' Councils, decisions of the Holy Synod, decrees of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, decisions of the diocesan bishop and rector of the parish, as well as the civil statutes of the Russian Orthodox Church, diocese, parish under which they created, and by their own charter, if the fraternities and sororities are registered as a legal entity.
14 . Brotherhoods and sisterhoods allocate funds through parishes for general church needs in the amounts established by the Holy Synod, for diocesan and parish needs in the manner and amount established by diocesan authorities and parish rectors.
15 . Brotherhoods and sisterhoods in their religious, administrative, financial and economic activities, through the rectors of parishes, are subordinate and accountable to the diocesan bishops. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods carry out the decisions of the diocesan authorities and parish rectors.
16 . In the event of the separation of any part or the withdrawal of all members of the brotherhood and sisterhood from their composition, they cannot claim any rights to the brotherhood and sisterhood property and funds.
17 . If accepted general meeting brotherhood and sisterhood decisions to leave the hierarchical structure and jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, brotherhood and sisterhood are deprived of confirmation of belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, which entails the cessation of the activities of the brotherhood and sisterhood as a religious organization of the Russian Orthodox Church and deprives them of the right to property that belonged to the brotherhood or sisterhood on the rights of ownership, use or other legally, as well as the right to use the name and symbols of the Russian Orthodox Church in the name.
1. Abbot
18 . At the head of each parish is the rector of the church, appointed by the diocesan bishop for the spiritual guidance of the believers and the management of the clergy and parish. In his activities, the rector is accountable to the diocesan bishop.
19 . The rector is called upon to bear responsibility for the proper performance of divine services, in accordance with the Church Charter, for church preaching, the religious and moral state and appropriate education of the members of the parish. He must conscientiously perform all liturgical, pastoral and administrative duties determined by his position, in accordance with the provisions of the canons and this Charter.
20 . The duties of the rector, in particular, include:
a) leadership of the clergy in the performance of its liturgical and pastoral duties;
b) monitoring the condition of the temple, its decoration and the availability of everything necessary for performing divine services in accordance with the requirements of the liturgical Charter and the instructions of the clergy;
c) concern for correct and reverent reading and singing in church;
d) concern for the exact fulfillment of the instructions of the diocesan bishop;
e) organization of catechetical, charitable, church-public, educational and outreach activities of the parish;
f) convening and presiding at meetings of the parish meeting;
g) if there are grounds for this, suspension of the execution of decisions of the parish meeting and parish council on issues of a doctrinal, canonical, liturgical or administrative-economic nature, with the subsequent transfer of this issue to the diocesan bishop for consideration;
h) monitoring the implementation of decisions of the parish meeting and the work of the parish council;
i) representing the interests of the parish in state and local government bodies;
j) submitting directly to the diocesan bishop or through the dean annual reports on the state of the parish, on the activities carried out in the parish and on one’s own work;
k) carrying out official church correspondence;
l) maintaining a liturgical journal and storing the parish archive;
m) issuance of baptism and marriage certificates.
21 . The rector may receive leave and temporarily leave his parish solely with the permission of the diocesan authorities, obtained in the prescribed manner.
2. Pritch
22 . The clergy of the parish is determined as follows: priest, deacon and psalm-reader. The number of members of the clergy can be increased or reduced by the diocesan authorities at the request of the parish and in accordance with its needs; in any case, the clergy must consist of at least two persons - a priest and a psalm-reader.
Note: the position of psalm-reader can be filled by a person in holy orders.
23 . The election and appointment of clergy and clergy belongs to the diocesan bishop.
24 . To be ordained as a deacon or priest you must:
a) be a member of the Russian Orthodox Church;
b) be an adult;
c) have the necessary moral qualities;
d) have sufficient theological training;
e) have a confessor’s certificate confirming the absence of canonical obstacles to ordination;
f) not be subject to ecclesiastical or civil court;
g) take the church oath.
25 . Members of the clergy may be moved and dismissed from their places by the diocesan bishop upon personal request, by ecclesiastical court, or by ecclesiastical expediency.
26 . The duties of the members of the clergy are determined by the canons and orders of the diocesan bishop or rector.
27 . The parish clergyman is responsible for the spiritual and moral state of the parish and for the fulfillment of his liturgical and pastoral duties.
28 . Members of the clergy cannot leave the parish without permission from the church authorities, obtained in the prescribed manner.
29 . A clergyman may take part in a divine service in another parish with the consent of the diocesan bishop of the diocese in which the parish is located, or with the consent of the dean or rector, if he has a certificate confirming his canonical legal capacity.
30 . In accordance with the 13th rule of the IV Ecumenical Council, clergy can be accepted into another diocese only if they have a letter of release from the diocesan bishop.
3. Parishioners
31 . Parishioners are persons of the Orthodox confession who maintain a living connection with their parish.
32 . Each parishioner has the duty to participate in divine services, regularly confess and receive communion, observe the canons and church regulations, perform works of faith, strive for religious and moral improvement and contribute to the well-being of the parish.
33 . The responsibility of parishioners is to take care of the material maintenance of the clergy and the temple.
4. Parish meeting
34 . The governing body of the parish is the parish meeting, headed by the parish rector, who is ex officio the chairman of the parish meeting.
The parish assembly includes the clergy of the parish, as well as parishioners who regularly participate in the liturgical life of the parish, who, due to their commitment to Orthodoxy, moral character and life experience, are worthy to participate in the resolution of parish affairs, who have reached the age of 18 and are not under prohibition, and also not brought to justice by ecclesiastical or secular courts.
35 . Admission as a member of the parish meeting and withdrawal from it is carried out on the basis of a petition (application) by decision of the parish meeting. If a member of the parish assembly is recognized as not corresponding to the position he occupies, he may be removed from the parish assembly by decision of the latter.
If members of the parish assembly deviate from the canons, this Charter and other regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as if they violate the parish charter, the composition of the parish assembly by decision of the diocesan bishop may be changed in whole or in part.
36 . The parish meeting is convened by the rector or, by order of the diocesan bishop, the dean, or another authorized representative of the diocesan bishop at least once a year.
Parish meetings dedicated to the election and re-election of members of the parish council are held with the participation of the dean or another representative of the diocesan bishop.
37 . The meeting is held in accordance with the agenda presented by the chairman.
38 . The chairman presides over the meetings in accordance with the adopted rules.
39 . The parish meeting has the authority to make decisions with the participation of at least half of the members. Resolutions of the parish meeting are adopted by simple majority vote; in the event of a tie, the vote of the chairman is decisive.
40 . The parish meeting elects a secretary from among its members who is responsible for drawing up the minutes of the meeting.
41 . The minutes of the parish meeting are signed by the chairman, secretary and five elected members of the parish meeting. The minutes of the parish meeting are approved by the diocesan bishop, after which decisions made come into force.
42 . The decisions of the parish meeting can be announced to parishioners in the church.
43 . The responsibilities of the parish meeting include:
a) maintaining the internal unity of the parish and promoting it spiritual and moral increasing;
b) adoption of the civil Charter of the parish, amendments and additions to it, which are approved by the diocesan bishop and come into force from the moment of state registration;
c) admission and exclusion of members of the parish meeting;
d) election of the parish council and audit commission;
e) planning the financial and economic activities of the parish;
f) ensuring the safety of church property and taking care of its increase;
g) adoption of spending plans, including the amount of contributions for charity and religious and educational purposes, and submitting them for approval by the diocesan bishop;
h) approval of plans and consideration of design estimates for the construction and repair of church buildings;
i) review and submission for approval to the diocesan bishop of financial and other reports of the parish council and reports of the audit commission;
j) approval of the staffing table and determination of content for members of the clergy and parish council;
k) determining the procedure for disposing of the property of the parish on the terms determined by this Charter, the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church (civil), the charter of the diocese, the charter of the parish, as well as current legislation;
l) concern for the availability of everything necessary for the canonical performance of worship;
n) concern for the state of church singing;
o) initiating parish petitions before the diocesan bishop and civil authorities;
o) consideration of complaints against members of the parish council, audit commission and submission of them to the diocesan administration.
44 . The parish council is the executive body of the parish and is accountable to the parish meeting.
45 . The parish council consists of a chairman, an assistant rector and a treasurer.
46 . Parish Council:
a) implements the decisions of the parish meeting;
b) submit plans of economic activity, annual expenditure plans and financial reports for consideration and approval by the parish meeting;
c) is responsible for the safety and maintenance in proper order of church buildings, other structures, buildings, premises and adjacent territories belonging to the parish land plots and all property owned or used by the parish, and keeps records of it;
d) acquires property needed for the parish and maintains inventory books;
e) resolves current economic issues;
f) provides the parish with the necessary property;
g) provides housing to members of the parish clergy in cases where they need it;
h) takes care of the protection and splendor of the temple, maintaining decorum and order during services and religious processions;
i) takes care of providing the temple with everything necessary for the splendid performance of divine services.
47 . Members of the parish council may be removed from the parish council by a decision of the parish meeting or by order of the diocesan bishop if there are due grounds.
48 . The chairman of the parish council, without a power of attorney, exercises the following powers on behalf of the parish:
· issues orders (orders) on the hiring (dismissal) of parish employees; concludes labor and civil contracts, as well as agreements on financial liability (these powers are exercised by the chairman of the parish council, who is not a rector, in agreement with the rector);
· disposes of the property and funds of the parish, including concluding relevant agreements on behalf of the parish and making other transactions in the manner prescribed by this Charter;
· represents the parish in court;
· has the right to issue powers of attorney to carry out, on behalf of the parish, the provided this article th Charter of powers, as well as to carry out contacts with state bodies, local governments, citizens and organizations in connection with the exercise of these powers.
49 . The rector is the chairman of the parish council.
The diocesan bishop has the right, by his sole decision:
a) relieve the rector from the post of chairman of the parish council at his own discretion;
b) appoint an assistant rector (church warden) or another person, including a parish clergyman, to the post of chairman of the parish council (for a period of three years with the right to appoint for a new term without limiting the number of such appointments), with his inclusion in the parish assembly and the parish advice.
The diocesan bishop has the right to remove from work a member of the parish council if he violates the canons, provisions of this Charter or the civil charter of the parish.
50 . All documents officially emanating from the parish are signed by the rector and (or) the chairman of the parish council within the limits of their competence.
51 . Banking and other financial documents are signed by the chairman of the parish council and the treasurer. In civil legal relations, the treasurer performs the duties of the chief accountant. The treasurer records and stores funds, donations and other income, and prepares an annual financial report. The parish maintains accounting records.
52 . In the event of re-election by the parish meeting or a change in the composition of the parish council by the diocesan bishop, as well as in the event of re-election, removal by the diocesan bishop or death of the chairman of the parish council, the parish meeting forms a commission of three members, which draws up an act on the availability of property and funds. The parish council accepts material assets on the basis of this act.
53 . The duties of the assistant chairman of the parish council are determined by the parish meeting.
54 . The responsibilities of the treasurer include recording and storing cash and other donations, maintaining receipts and expenditure books, and performing, as directed by the chairman of the parish council, financial transactions within budget and preparation of annual financial statements.
6. Audit Commission
55 . The parish meeting, from among its members, elects a parish audit committee, consisting of a chairman and two members, for a period of three years. The Audit Committee is accountable to the parish meeting. The Audit Commission checks the financial and economic activities of the parish, the safety and accounting of property, its use for its intended purpose, conducts an annual inventory, audits the entry of donations and receipts and the expenditure of funds. The audit commission presents the results of the audits and corresponding proposals for consideration by the parish meeting.
If abuse is detected, the audit commission immediately informs the diocesan authorities. The Audit Commission has the right to send an inspection report directly to the diocesan bishop.
56 . The right to audit the financial and economic activities of the parish and parish institutions also belongs to the diocesan bishop.
57 . Members of the parish council and the audit commission cannot be closely related.
58 . The responsibilities of the audit commission include:
a) regular audit, including checking the availability of funds, the legality and correctness of expenses made and the maintenance of expense books by the parish;
b) carrying out, as necessary, an inspection of the financial and economic activities of the parish, the safety and accounting of property belonging to the parish;
c) annual inventory of parish property;
d) control over the removal of mugs and donations.
59 . The Audit Commission draws up reports on the inspections carried out and submits them to the regular or emergency meeting of the parish meeting. If there are abuses, shortages of property or funds, as well as if errors are detected in the conduct and execution of financial transactions, the parish meeting makes an appropriate decision. It has the right to bring a claim in court, having previously received the consent of the diocesan bishop.
Chapter XVII. Monasteries
1 . A monastery is a church institution in which a male or female community lives and operates, consisting of Orthodox Christians who have voluntarily chosen the monastic way of life for spiritual and moral improvement and joint confession of the Orthodox faith.
2 . The decision on the opening (abolition) of monasteries belongs to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod on the proposal of the diocesan bishop.
In accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of the relevant country, the monastery can be registered as a legal entity.
3 . Stavropegic monasteries are proclaimed by the decision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod in compliance with the canonical procedure.
4 . Stavropegic monasteries are under the superior supervision and canonical management of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' or those synodal institutions to which the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' blesses such supervision and management.
5 . Diocesan monasteries are under the supervision and canonical administration of diocesan bishops.
6 . If one, several or all inhabitants of the monastery leave its composition, they do not have the right and cannot make any claims to the property and funds of the monastery.
7 . Enrollment in the monastery and dismissal from the monastery are carried out by orders of the diocesan bishop upon the proposal of the abbot (abbess) or viceroy.
8 . Monasteries are governed and live in accordance with the provisions of this Charter, the Civil Charter, the Regulations on Monasteries and Monastics and their own charter, which must be approved by the diocesan bishop.
9 . Monasteries may have courtyards. A metochion is a community of Orthodox Christians within the monastery and located outside it. The activities of the monastery are regulated by the charter of the monastery to which the monastery belongs, and by its own civil charter. The metochion is under the jurisdiction of 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 metochion is located are exalted.
10 . If the monastery decides to leave the hierarchical structure and jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, the monastery is deprived of confirmation of belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, which entails the cessation of the monastery’s activities as a religious organization of the Russian Orthodox Church and deprives it of the right to property that belonged to the monastery as a property. , use or on other legal grounds, as well as the right to use the name and symbols of the Russian Orthodox Church in the name.
Chapter XVIII. Theological educational institutions
1 . Theological educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church are higher and secondary specialized educational institutions that prepare clergy and clergy, theologians and church workers.
2 . Theological educational institutions are under the supervision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', carried out through the Educational Committee.
3 . Canonically, religious educational institutions are subject to the jurisdiction of the diocesan bishop in whose diocese they are located.
4 . Theological educational institutions are established by a decision of the Holy Synod on the proposal of the diocesan bishop, supported by the Educational Committee.
5 . The theological educational institution is governed and operates on the basis of this Charter, civil and internal regulations approved by the Holy Synod and approved by the diocesan bishop.
6 . If a religious educational institution makes a decision to leave the hierarchical structure and jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, the religious educational institution is deprived of confirmation of belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, which entails the termination of the activities of the religious educational institution as a religious organization of the Russian Orthodox Church and deprives it of the right to property, which belonged to the spiritual educational institution on the rights of ownership, use or on other legal grounds, as well as the right to use the name and symbols of the Russian Orthodox Church in the name.
Chapter XIX. Church institutions in foreign countries
1 . Church institutions in foreign countries (hereinafter referred to as “foreign institutions”) are dioceses, deaneries, parishes, stauropegial and diocesan monasteries, as well as missions, representative offices and metochions of the Russian Orthodox Church located outside the CIS and Baltic countries.
2 . The highest ecclesiastical authority exercises its jurisdiction over these institutions in the manner determined by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod.
3 . Foreign institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church in their administration and activities are guided by this charter and their own charters, which must be approved by the Holy Synod while respecting the laws existing in each country.
4 . Foreign institutions are created and abolished by decision of the Holy Synod. Representative offices and farmsteads located abroad are stauropegians.
5 . Foreign institutions carry out their ministry in accordance with the goals and objectives of the external activities of the Russian Orthodox Church.
6 . Heads and responsible employees of foreign institutions are appointed by the Holy Synod.
Chapter XX. Property and funds
1 . The funds of the Russian Orthodox Church and its canonical divisions are formed from:
a) donations when performing divine services, Sacraments, services and rituals;
b) voluntary donations of physical and legal entities, state, public and other enterprises, institutions, organizations and funds;
c) donations for the distribution of Orthodox religious items and Orthodox religious literature(books, magazines, newspapers, audio-video recordings, etc.), as well as from the sale of such items;
d) income received from the activities of institutions and enterprises of the Russian Orthodox Church, directed to the statutory purposes of the Russian Orthodox Church;
e) deductions from synodal institutions, dioceses, diocesan institutions, missions, metochions, representative offices, as well as parishes, monasteries, brotherhoods, sisterhoods, their institutions, organizations, etc.;
f) deductions from the profits of enterprises established by canonical divisions of the Russian Orthodox Church independently or jointly with other legal entities or individuals;
g) other income not prohibited by law, including income from securities and deposits placed in deposit accounts.
2 . The church-wide spending plan is formed from funds allocated by dioceses, stauropegial monasteries, parishes of the city of Moscow, as well as those received for designated purposes from the sources mentioned in Article 1 of this chapter.
3 . Manager of church-wide financial resources is the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod.
4 . The Russian Orthodox Church may own buildings, land plots, industrial, social, charitable, cultural, educational and other purposes, religious items, funds and other property necessary to ensure the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church, including those classified as historical monuments and culture, or receive it for use on other legal grounds from state, municipal, public and other organizations and citizens in accordance with the legislation of the country where this property is located.
1 . The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is self-governing with broad autonomy rights.
2 . The Ukrainian Orthodox Church was granted independence and autonomy in its governance 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 Definition of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church of 1990 “On the Ukrainian Orthodox Church”, the Charter 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 bodies of church power and administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are its Council and Synod, headed by its Primate, who bears the title “His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kiev 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 His Holiness Patriarch 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 . The bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are elected by its Synod.
8 . The decision on the formation or abolition of dioceses included in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and on the determination of their territorial boundaries are made by its Synod with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.
9 . The 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 Charter and in meetings of the Holy Synod.
10 . The decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils are binding on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
11 . The decisions of the Holy Synod are valid in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church taking into account the peculiarities determined by the independent nature of its governance.
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 punishments as lifelong ban from the priesthood, defrocking, excommunication are imposed by the diocesan bishop with subsequent approval by the Metropolitan of Kiev 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 . Remove Article 18 from Chapter XI of the Charter.
3 . State paragraph e) of Article 5 Chapter III(“The Council of Bishops”) of the Charter as follows: “e) canonization of saints and church-wide glorification of locally revered saints”;
4 . Introduce into Article 25 of Chapter V of the Charter (“Holy Synod”) the following paragraph: “f) canonization of locally venerated saints and submitting the issue of their church-wide glorification to the Council of Bishops for consideration”;
5 . State paragraph c) of Article 15 of Chapter IV of the Charter in the following wording: “c) The Locum Tenens performs the duties of 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”), stating it as follows:
“Court in the Russian Orthodox Church is carried out by church courts of the following instances:
a) diocesan courts having jurisdiction within their dioceses;
b) the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities 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 judicial authorities in the indicated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) - with jurisdiction within the relevant parts of the Russian Orthodox Church ;
c) the highest church-wide 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 “Common Church Court” is mentioned, change its name to the “Highest Church Court”.
8 . State Article 9 of Chapter XVII (“Monasteries”) of the Charter in the following wording:
“Monasteries can have courtyards. A metochion is a community of Orthodox Christians within the monastery and located outside it. The activities of the monastery are regulated by the charter of the monastery to which the monastery belongs, and by its own civil charter. The metochion in the church-hierarchical (canonical) order is subordinated 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 metochion is located are exalted.”
II. Make the following changes to the Regulations on the ecclesiastical court of the 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 “Highest Church Court”.
2 . Add the third paragraph of paragraph 2 of Article 1 of the Regulations on the Church Court, stating it as follows:
"2. The judicial system of the Russian Orthodox Church includes the following church courts:
· diocesan courts with jurisdiction within their respective dioceses;
· the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities 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 judicial authorities in the indicated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) - with jurisdiction within the corresponding parts of the Russian Orthodox Church;
· The Supreme Church Court – with jurisdiction within the Russian Orthodox Church, with the exception of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church;
· Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church - with jurisdiction within the entire Russian Orthodox Church."
3 . Add paragraph 2 of Article 31 of the Regulations on the Church Court, stating it as follows:
"2. The Council of Bishops considers cases against bishops as an ecclesiastical court of second instance:
· considered by the General Church Court of First Instance and sent by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' or the Holy Synod for consideration by the Council of Bishops to make a final decision;
· on appeals of bishops against the decisions of the Supreme Church Court of First Instance and the highest church judicial authorities 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 refer for consideration to the Council of Bishops other cases within the jurisdiction of lower church courts, if these cases require an authoritative judicial council decision.”
4 . State paragraph 2 of Article 28 of the Regulations on the Church Court in the following wording:
“The Supreme Church Court considers as an appellate instance, in the manner prescribed by Chapter 6 of these Regulations, the following cases:
· considered by diocesan courts and sent by diocesan bishops to the Supreme Church Court for final resolution;
· on appeals of the parties against decisions of diocesan courts;
· considered by the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical judicial authorities in the indicated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church) and transferred by the primates of the corresponding parts of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Supreme Church Court;
· on appeals of the parties against decisions of the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts (if there are higher ecclesiastical judicial authorities in the indicated 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 . Add Chapter 6 of the Regulations on the Church Court with a new article with the following content, shifting the numbering of subsequent articles:
“Consideration of cases in individual higher ecclesiastical judicial authorities.
1 . Appeals against decisions of diocesan courts of dioceses of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts are sent to the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities specified parts Russian Orthodox Church (if there are higher ecclesiastical judicial authorities in them).
2 . The Supreme Church Court considers appeals against decisions made both in the first consideration and on appeal by the highest ecclesiastical judicial authorities of the Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts.
3 . This article does not apply to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church."
III. 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 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 confirmed by the Patriarch (during the period of locum tenens - by the Holy Synod).
Church institutions in foreign countries 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 Foreign Institutions.”
The document was adopted at a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on March 22, 2011 ().
1. The Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (hereinafter referred to as the Supreme Church Council) is the executive body of the Russian Orthodox Church, operating under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (hereinafter referred to as the Patriarch) and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church (hereinafter referred to as the Holy Synod). During the interpatriarchal period, the Supreme Church Council operates under the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne (hereinafter referred to as the Locum Tenens) and the Holy Synod.
2. The Supreme Church Council is subordinate and accountable to the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) and the Holy Synod.
3. The Supreme Church Council considers the following issues:
- issues of theological education, enlightenment, mission, church social service, information activities of canonical divisions of the Russian Orthodox Church and church media;
- issues of relations between the Church and the state, society, Local Orthodox Churches, heterodox confessions and non-Christian religions;
- issues of church administration and management;
- other issues submitted to the Supreme Church Council for consideration by the Patriarch (Locum Tenens).
4. The competence of the Supreme Church Council includes:
1) coordination of the activities of the Synodal and other church-wide institutions;
2) discussion of current issues of church life that require a coordinated response from the Synodal and other church-wide institutions;
3) taking measures to implement the decisions of Local and Bishops' Councils, resolutions and determinations of the Holy Synod, decrees and orders of the Patriarch (Locum Tenens).
5. Supreme Church Council:
4) hears reports from leaders or representatives of Synodal and other church-wide institutions on the activities of these institutions;
5) within the limits of his competence, gives instructions to Synodal institutions and other canonical divisions of the Russian Orthodox Church and controls their implementation;
6) may submit proposals for consideration by the Holy Synod or the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church.
6. The Supreme Church Council consists of the Chairman - the Patriarch (Locum Tenens), members of the Supreme Church Council ex officio, as well as members appointed by the Holy Synod in the manner established by these Regulations.
7. The ex officio members of the Supreme Church Council are the heads of the following Synodal institutions:
1) Administration of the Moscow Patriarchate;
2) Department for External Church Relations;
3) Publishing Council;
4) Educational Committee;
5) Financial and economic management;
6) Department of Religious Education and Catechesis;
7) Department for Church Charity and Social Service;
8) Missionary Department;
9) Department for interaction with the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies;
10) Department of Youth Affairs;
11) Department for Relations between Church and Society;
12) Information Department;
13) Department of Prison Ministry;
14) Committee for Interaction with the Cossacks.
8. The Holy Synod may, upon the recommendation of the Patriarch, appoint members of the Supreme Church Council from among the heads of divisions of the Moscow Patriarchate, Synodal or other church-wide institutions. Members of the Supreme Church Council appointed by the Holy Synod may be removed from the Supreme Church Council on the basis of a determination of the Holy Synod upon the proposal of the Patriarch (Locum Tenens).
9. Meetings of the Supreme Church Council are convened by the Patriarch (Locum Tenens).
10. Meetings of the Supreme Church Council are closed. Meetings of the Supreme Church Council are held under the chairmanship of the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) or, on the basis of the relevant order of the Patriarch (Locum Tenens), under the chairmanship of a member of the Supreme Church Council in the rank of bishop.
11. If it is impossible for a member of the Supreme Church Council to participate in a meeting, another person authorized by a member of the Supreme Church Council, with the right of an advisory vote, takes part in this meeting, in agreement with the Patriarch.
12. On the initiative of the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) or in agreement with him, experts, as well as persons responsible for the areas of church activity considered at these meetings, may be invited to individual meetings of the Supreme Church Council. Persons who are not members of the Supreme Church Council are present at its meetings only during the discussion of those issues to which they are involved. They may present a report and participate in the discussion of the above issues, but are not entitled to vote.
13. The Secretary of the Supreme Church Council is appointed (dismissed from office) by the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) from among the members of the Supreme Church Council.
14. The agenda of the meetings is determined by the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) and sent in advance by the Secretary of the Supreme Church Council to all members of the Supreme Church Council along with an invitation to the next meeting.
15. The Secretary of the Supreme Church Council keeps minutes of meetings of the Supreme Church Council. The protocols are signed by the secretary of the Supreme Church Council and approved by the Patriarch (Locum Tenens), after which they are sent to all members of the Supreme Church Council.
16. Meetings of the Supreme Church Council are valid if the presiding officer and at least 2/3 of the members of the Supreme Church Council are present. In case of absence at the meeting of the Supreme Church Council, the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) votes in absentia. Decisions of the Supreme Church Council are made by a majority vote of the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) and members of the Supreme Church Council present at the meeting. In case of equality of votes, the vote of the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) is decisive.
17. In case of disagreement with the decision adopted by the Supreme Church Council, the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) transfers the controversial issue to the Holy Synod for consideration. If it is not possible to postpone consideration of a controversial issue and a decision must be made immediately, the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) makes the sole decision on this issue. The decision made by the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) is submitted to the next meeting of the Holy Synod for final resolution of the issue.
18. Decisions of the Supreme Church Council come into force after the Patriarch (Locum Tenens) approves the minutes of the relevant meeting.
19. Once every six months, the Holy Synod hears a report from the Patriarch on the work of the Supreme Church Council.
