The Holy Synod has Chosen Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad as Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne

Moscow, December 6, 2008

On December 6, 2008, a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church was opened in the Patriarchal residence in Peredelkino. The meeting was called in connection with the repose of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia.

The members of the Holy Synod raised a prayer by the coffin of Patriarch Alexy for the repose of his soul, reports the communication service of the Department of Church External Relations.

His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir of Saint Petersburg and Ladoga, a member of Holy Synod, opened the meeting.

During the meeting, over which the Metropolitan of Saint Petersburg and Ladoga presided (paragraph 13, chapter IV of the Rule of the Russian Orthodox Church), the Holy Synod stated with deep sorrow that on December 5, 2008, in the eightieth year of his life and the nineteenth year of his Patriarchal service, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia reposed in the Lord, in the Patriarchal residence in Peredelkino.

In accordance with paragraph 13, chapter IV of the Rule of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal throne was chosen, reports the Moscow Patriarchate's press service.

Out of the seven constant members of the Holy Synod (Paragraph 13, Chapter IV), Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad was chosen to be the Locum Tenens by secret ballot.

The Synod resolved:

1. To commemorate the name of the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church as follows: "For our lord, the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad."

2. In accordance with Paragraph 15, Chapter IV of the Regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsa and Kolomensk assumes the administration of the Moscow Diocese. His name is to be commemorated during divine services in all the churches of Moscow following the name of the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne.

3. The funeral of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy is to be held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on December 9 of this year, and his burial, in accordance with his wishes, at Theophany Cathedral in Moscow.

The members of the Holy Synod are:

Vladimir, Metropolitan of Saint Petersburg and Ladoga

Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev and the Ukraine

Philaret, Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutzk, the Patriarchal Exarch of Belorussia

Juvenaly, Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna

Kirill, Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, head of the Department of Church External Relations

Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kishinev and All Moldavia

Valentine, Metropolitan of Orenburgh and Buzuluk

Alexander, Archbishop of Kostroma and Galich

Tikhon, Archbishop of Novosibirsk and Berdsk

Theophylact, Bishop of Bransk and Sevsk

Stephan, Bishop of Tura and Mozyr

Clement, Metropolitan of Kaluga and Borovsk, Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate

12/8/2008

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