NEW YORK: August 18, 2010
The Synod of Bishops Holds a Teleconference 

On August 16, 2010, the feast day of St Anthony of Rome, Miracle-worker of Novgorod, a teleconference was held by the members of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Chaired by its President, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, it included participation by His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany; His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America; His Grace Bishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Grace Bishop Peter of Cleveland, Administrator of the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America, and His Grace Bishop Jerome, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese. 

Opening the session, Metropolitan Hilarion announced that during Divine Liturgy that day, Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky, +1936), the first Primate of the Russian Church Abroad, was commemorated, as well as his disciple and tonsure, Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev, +2000). Following this, the Synod members sang Eternal Memory to the late hierarchs.  

This was followed by a report by Archbishop Mark, Administrator of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, and by Bishop Peter, Treasurer of the Synod of Bishops.  

The Synod of Bishops then heard and confirmed the appeal by Archimandrite Alexei (Rosentool), Abbot of Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Bombala, Australia, to relieve him of his duties. The new abbot will be Hieromonk Sergii (Shatrov), who was nominated by the monastery monks, while Fr Alexei was appointed spiritual father of the brethren.  

The Synod of Bishops, noting the 25th anniversary of the repose of His Eminence Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky), decreed that the clergy and flock of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia are to commemorate him this year on the day of his death, the Synaxis of Archangel Michael and the Heavenly Hosts, 8/21 November.

In addition to the reports, administrative matters were discussed, as were intercessions by the member hierarchs for ecclesiastical awards to clergymen and laity.

The next teleconference of the Synod of Bishops will be held on October 12 of this year.