NEW YORK: December 10, 2019
Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany is elevated to the rank of metropolitan

From the Editors: On Tuesday, December 10, 2019, the feast day of the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, at the end of Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Deputy Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, read the following decree, after which His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of ROCOR, elevated His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany to the rank of metropolitan.

During a meeting of the Synod of Bishops on June 15/28, 2019, in San Francisco, which coincided with the 25th anniversary of the glorification of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Miracle-worker, the Synod HEARD: the intercession of the President for the elevation of Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany to the rank of metropolitan on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his archpastoral service.

Background: The President raises this issue in the absence of Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany, presenting a series of examples when hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia were elevated to the rank of metropolitan not in connection with being appointed the head of an existing metropoliate district, but for their special achievements and many years of archpastoral service. Among these were Archbishop Methodius of Harbin and Manchuria and Archbishop Innokenty of Peking and China, who were promoted for this award by the blessed Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) of Kiev and Galicia, as were other renowned hierarchs. In accordance with the Regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the elevation of bishops may be executed by the Synod of Bishops, “but not otherwise than by requiring the written opinions of all the bishops.

Having exhaustively considered the proposal of the President, the Synod DECREES: “1) on the eve of the 40th anniversary of his archpastoral service, for special service before the Church of Christ and for the prestige of the German Diocese that he heads, to present Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany for elevation to the rank of metropolitan, and to inquire of the members of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia for their opinion on his elevation, in accordance with its Regulations. 2) In case of the positive decision on the intercession of the President, to leave to the discretion of His Eminence the time and place of the elevation of Archbishop Mark.”

Now, having studied the responses of the Hierarchs of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, with great joy we report to Your Eminence that your brethren archpastors, prayerfully glorifying Christ the Chief Pastor, piously venerating the miracle-working image, the Hodigitria of the Russian diaspora, boldly and with kind heart declare “axios” as you are being elevated to the lofty rank of metropolitan.

For which this ukase is issued, with fraternal good wishes for good health, boldness of spirit and the continued aid of God for many blessed years.

+HILARION,
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
President of the Synod of Bishops.

+KYRILL,
Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America,
Secretary of the Synod of Bihops.

November 27/December 10, 2019.