RESOLUTION
of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

On May 11/24, 2005, the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

HEARD:

The report of Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, Secretary of the Commission on discussions with the corresponding Commission of the Moscow Patriarchate, on the last joint meeting of the Commissions held on March 2-4, 2005, near Paris. The documents drafted and agreed upon at this meeting were read aloud.

DECREED:

1. To take under consideration the report of the Secretary of the Commission.

2. To confirm and approve the documents drafted at the last joint meeting near Paris.

3. To approve the publication of those documents drafted at the joint meetings of the Commissions which have received the confirmation of both the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, specifically:

a. "On the Relationship Between the Church and State."

b. "On the Attitude of the Orthodox Church Towards the Heterodox and Towards Inter-Confessional Organizations."

c. "On the Joint Work of the Commissions of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia."

d. "Commentary on the Joint Document of the Commissions of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Entitled 'On the Relationship Between Church and State.'"

4. To instruct His Eminence Archbishop Mark, Chairman of the Commission on discussions with the Moscow Patriarchate, to coordinate with the Chairman of the corresponding Commission the exact day and hour for the simultaneous publication of the indicated documents, after the preliminary verification of the texts.

5. To send a copy of this Resolution to the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

+Bishop Gabriel
Secretary of the Synod of Bishops