NUMBER OF DIOCESES OF RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH PASSES 300
On Tuesday, the synod of the Russian Orthodox Church created six new dioceses, discussed the upcoming 1000th anniversary of the passing of Prince Vladimir, and called for prayer for a speedy end to the conflict in Ukraine and continuation of help for victims, RIA Novosti was told by the head of the synod's Information Department, Vladimir Legoida.
The process of subdividing dioceses in the Russian Church began with Patriarch Kirill''s arrival (2009): at the time of his enthronement there were 150 dioceses, three years later there were 225, and in April 2015 there were 287, according to data on the RPTs website. The heads of dioceses constitute the main governing agency of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Bishops' Council, which meets every few years and the rest of the time leaves in its place the synod of 15 persons led by the patriarch. The preceding synod met in December 2014 in Moscow.
The synod confirmed documents adopted at the Bishops' Conference that was held in Moscow on 2 to 4 February, and it also founded six new dioceses. Out of the central Siberian Barnaul diocese were carved the Biisk, Rubtsovsk, and Slavgorod dioceses, out of the eastern Siberian Ulan-Ude diocese was carved the North Baikal diocese, from the Ural Kurgan diocese, the Shadrinsk, and from the Smolensk diocese, the Viazemskii. It was also decided to create the Altai, Buriat, Kurgan, and Smolensk metropolitanates.
"The Holy Synod resolved to encourage dioceses, monasteries, parishes, clergy, and laity of the Russian Orthodox Church to provide further help to civilian residents who have suffered from the armed conflict in Ukraine, to encourage archpastors, clerics, monastics, and laity to continue fervent prayer for the establishment of peace in the Ukrainian land, and also to address to all a call to do everything possible for ending bloodshed and establishing peace," says a report of the Information Department regarding the results of the synod's session that arrived at RIA Novosti.
Speaking about humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees who have suffered during the conflict in the east of the country, Legoida reported that between 1 August 2014 and 24 April 2015, more than 75 million rubles' worth had been sent to help refugees. "The balance in the account of the synodal Department for Church Charity totals more than 52 million rubles," the head of the synodal Information Department added.
Legoida said that the session, which was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Patriarch Kirill, was "rather arduous;" its agenda comprised 30 points. A substantial portion was devoted to the upcoming 1000th anniversary of the passing of the baptizer of Rus, Holy Prince Vladimir, which will be observed in Ukraine, in Russia, and in Belorussia. (tr. by PDS, posted 6 May 2015)
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