LONDON: May 16, 2025
A meeting of the Synod of Bishops was held at the Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral

On May 9-10, 2025, a meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia took place in the lower church of the Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral in London, England. It was chaired by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. Participants in this meeting included His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany; His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America; His Eminence His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Grace Bishop Irinei of London and Western Europe; His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle and His Grace Bishop Iov of Stuttgart.

After praying at Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral, the Chairman opened the meeting with a greeting and a report on his recent visits, ministries, and plans moving forward. His Eminence recalled how the late Metropolitan Lavr consecrated the lower church of this cathedral in 2005, while the upper church was consecrated by the ever-memorable Metropolitan Hilarion in 2018. Metropolitan Nicholas expressed condolences to Archbishop Kirill and Bishop Theodosius in connection with the passing of Archpriest Alexei Kotar, who spent all his years of priestly service at St Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, WA, and established a small, yet splendid chapel in the cell where St John (Maximovich) passed away.

Having approved the agenda, which was sent out in advance by Bishop Theodosius, the archpastors ratified and signed journals No. 412 and No. 413.

After listening to the reports of Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Secretary of the Diocesan Administration of the Mid-American Diocese, regarding the work of the commission on the distribution of the property of the ever-memorable Archbishop Peter (Loukianoff), and on the state of affairs in the Mid-American diocese, the Most Reverend archpastors deliberated on candidates for the Chicago bishopric. Then, the Synod heard the report of Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia).

Hearing a report of Vladyka Irenei, Secretary of the Holy Synod for Inter-Orthodox Relations, the Synod discussed the state of affairs in the Orthodox world and blessed the bringing of the myrrh-streaming icon of the Mother of God "Iveron-Hawaiian" into the boundaries of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

A short film prepared by Bishop Iov regarding the capital renovationof the Synodal residence in New York was then viewed. Expressing gratitude to Bishop Iov, the Synod blessed His Grace to continue his work, taking into account the advice of the archpastors.

After hearing the report by Andrey Fastovsky, reader and choir director of the Cathedral of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church in Munich, Germany, on the publication of an additional Menology with services composed in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, the Synod of Bishops instructed him to present in a petition to the Holy Synod the amendments proposed by him and Archpriest Nikolai Artemoff to certain ordination sequences, invoking God's blessing on this unique work.

Discussing church disciplinary matters, the archpastors reviewed the correspondence of His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse with Varvara Georgievna Larina, formerly Nun Vassa, in which His Grace informs her of the removal of her cassock and veil for disobedience. The Synod confirmed Bishop Luke's decision prohibiting the former Nun Vassa from wearing monastic clothing (thus removing her from the ranks of the monastics) and using the name given at her tonsure, as well as from representing herself as a nun of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia in her statements.

Regarding the case of Archpriest Peter Heers, the Synod resolved to remind the clergy and faithful that he is not blessed to serve, preach, or give lectures in parishes, monasteries or other institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia until his canonical status is clarified.

Preparing for the Council of Bishops next year, the Synod formed a pre-council commission comprising Bishop Theodosius, Bishop Job, Archpriest Seraphim Gan, and Archpriest Andrey Berezovsky. The Council will take place from April 29-May 5, 2026, at the Convent of of St Elizabeth Feodorovna in Buchendorf, Germany. Following the Council, a jubilee conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the German Diocese will commence in Munich.

On Sunday, May 11, during the Sunday of the Paralytic, Metropolitan Nicholas led Divine Liturgy at the Nativity of the Mother of God Cathedral in London, with a vigil service held the night before. His Eminence was co-celebrated by the members of the Synod as well as His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan of Great Britain and Ireland (Antiochian Orthodox Church), the cathedral clergy, local representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches, and guests in holy orders.

In the middle of the cathedral lay the chief relic of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia – the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, which numerous believers venerated. The fellowship of the First Hierarch, archpastors, clergy, and pilgrims continued at a festive meal provided by the efforts of the cathedral sisterhood.

The next meeting of the Synod of Bishops will take place on September 8, 2025.