NEW YORK: 12 December, 2024
The final session this year of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia takes place

From December 6-9, 2024, the final session of 2024 of the Synod of Bishops was held at the Synodal residence of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, in New York City. Participating in the meeting, chaired by the Primate, were: His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany; His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America; His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe; His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle and His Grace Bishop Job of Stuttgart.

On Friday, the meeting opened with greetings from the President of the Synod of Bishops, who announced the agenda for the upcoming days. His Eminence then proposed to prayerfully commemorate Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America, who reposed in eternity on November 8 of this year. Intoning "Memory Eternal" to its departed brother, the Synod of Bishops decided to send Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada to Chicago to preside over divine services on the fortieth day of Archbishop Peter's repose on Tuesday, December 17. Participating in the services for the departed will be not only clergymen of the Diocese of Mid-America, but also local representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches in the rank of bishop.

Approving the agenda distributed in advance by Bishop Theodosius following a few questions by the archpastors, the members of the Synod of Bishops began their work.

At the suggestion of Archbishop Kyrill, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, the archpastors gave their blessing to Hieromonk Peter (Karakozov) to continue the work of the late Archbishop Peter on the liturgical traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia), reported on the state of affairs in the churches and monasteries under his jurisdiction. Nicholas Ohotin, member of the Synod administration, then read a report on legal and property matters.

Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine of AZCC Builders Inc., then briefed the members of the Synod on the progress of the renovation and construction work on the Synodal building. Representatives of Zimmerman Agency, a firm engaged in the restoration of historic buildings and architectural monuments in Manhattan, reported in detail on the state of the Synodal residence and proposed a plan for the phased repair of its façade.

Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Secretary of the Diocesan Administration of the Diocese of Mid-America, reported to the archpastors on the repose, funeral and burial of the late Archbishop Peter and the state of affairs in the Diocese of Mid-America. After the report of Fr Gregory, a serious and thoughtful discussion took place among the bishops about possible candidates for the widowed Mid-American cathedra.

Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops for Inter-Orthodox Relations, then reported on events in the Orthodox world since the last Synod session.

Having been made aware of ongoing discussions in some ecclesiastical circles regarding the administration of the Mystery of Holy Communion to those who suffer from certain ailments such as coeliac disease and its associated conditions of gluten-intolerance, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia considered this a welcome opportunity to restate its age-old confession on the reception of this Sacrament, which remains unchanged: Namely, that in the Divine Liturgy we, as Christians grafted into the Body of Christ through Baptism, receive our Lord in His own Precious Body and Life-creating Blood. Not only is communion in the full offering of His Body and Blood together not a source of illness or danger, but it is instead the very source of Life, healing and sanctification. As such, those suffering from any condition relating to either of the earthly gifts offered in the Liturgy, namely bread and wine, should have no fear in approaching the Chalice to receive therefrom both the Body and Blood of their Saviour, for that which was offered in human frailty is transformed by Divine Grace into that which bestows Life unto all. For any further practical counsel based on personal circumstances or concerns, the individual should, as always, seek the guidance of his or her priest.

On Monday, December 9, Bishop Luke of Syracuse, Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, joined the meeting to give a talk on Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary. Discussing with Bishop Luke certain amendments to the English service books published by Holy Trinity Monastery Press, the Synod of Bishops renewed the composition of the commission for the verification of liturgical texts compiled in English. It includes His Eminence Archbishop George of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand, Chairman; Bishop Irenei and Bishop Luke. The chairman of the commission was given the authority to involve the necessary specialists and assistants in the work.

On the same day, the Synod of Bishops supported the "Ascension Wines" project of the Diocese of Mid-America and blessed the use of church wine produced by it in churches and monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the USA.

On Tuesday, December 10, the feast of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," His Eminence Nicholas celebrated feast-day Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral, and the day before, all-night vigil. Concelebrating with His Eminence were members of the Synod of Bishops, cathedral clergy, local representatives of other Local Orthodox Churches, clergy of the Eastern American Diocese, and visiting priests, including Archpriest Vladimir Malchenko from Toronto, Canada, with a large group of pilgrims from Holy Trinity Cathedral in that city. In the middle of the cathedral was the main holy icon of the Russian Church Abroad, the Kursk Icon of the Mother of God, which was venerated by a multitude of the faithful.

The First Hierarch, archpastors, clergy and worshipers then took part in a festal luncheon offered by the cathedral sisterhood.

The next meeting of the Synod of Bishops will be held on 25 February, 2025.