Paris, December 17, 2024
L to R: Bp. Syméon, Met. John, Met. Anthony. Photo: mospat.ru
The Archdiocese of Orthodox Churches of Russian Tradition in Western Europe celebrated the 5th anniversary of its return to the Moscow Patriarchate over the weekend.
Thought established by St. Tikhon of Moscow in 1921, the Archdiocese had been under the Patriarchate of Constantinople for several decades when its exarchate status was suddenly revoked in November 2018. The following September, its ruling hierarch was suddenly released by Constantinople, which led him to join the Moscow Patriarchate, with the majority of the former exarchate following him.
Archdiocese of Russian Churches in Western Europe confirms its dissolution, says decision came as surpriseThis decision of the Holy Synod, which has not yet been officially received by the Archdiocese, was in no way requested by the Archdiocese. Vladyka John was not previously consulted on this decision.
Vast majority of clergy of Western European Archdiocese follow Abp. John into Russian ChurchGathered in Paris on Saturday, the vast majority of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Russian Churches in Western Europe, formerly of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, voted to follow the example of their beloved hierarch His Eminence Archbishop John of Dubna, formerly of Chariopoulis, and join the Russian Orthodox Church.
Archdiocese of Russian Churches of Western Europe officially received into Moscow PatriarchateThe Synod was scheduled to meet tomorrow, but His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia explained at the beginning of today’s extraordinary session: “Due to the fact that there are issues that need to be discussed right now, we decided not to wait for the scheduled meeting of the Synod.” 
Photo: mospat.ru
This reunification was formally celebrated in Moscow on November 3, and the ruling hierarch, His Eminence Archbishop John of Dubna, was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan.
Archdiocese of Western Europe formally reunites with Russian Church, Abp. John elevated to MetropolitanA great event in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church occurred on Sunday, as the reunion of the Archdiocese of Russian Churches of Western Europe with its Mother Church of the Moscow Patriarchate was formally liturgically celebrated.The anniversary of this joyous occasion was celebrated on Sunday, December 15, in the Archdiocese’s main cathedral, dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky, in Paris. Met. John was joined by his vicar, His Grace Bishop Syméon of Domodedovo, and His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, who heads the Russian Church’s Department for External Church Relations.
The hierarchs were also joined by clergy from throughout Western Europe, the DECR reports.
Photo: mospat.ru
At the end of the service, Met. Anthony read out a greeting from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and congratulated all those who joined in the celebration.
In his address, Met. John noted that the reunification with the Moscow Patriarchate allowed the Archdiocese to continue its saving work in Western Europe, to be able to elect vicar bishops, and to ensure the continuity of its traditions. He expressed gratitude to Pat. Kirill and the Russian Synod for receiving the Archdiocese.
Western Archdiocese, recently reunited with Russian Church, elects two vicar bishopsOn January 24, the Western European Archdiocese held its first General Assembly after its reunification with the Russian Orthodox Church on November 3.Watch the Divine Liturgy:
After the service, the bishops, clergy, and parishioners were treated to tea and refreshments in the parish house.
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