On February 5, 2013, the Consecrated Council of Bishops adopted a new edition of the Statutes of the Russian Orthodox Church. The document according to which the internal life of the Church is organized is a written monument of canon law, not frozen in time. This is a document that reflects the most important changes in church life. We offer our readers an excursion into history, which will allow us to see how the statutes of church life have changed over the centuries, what documents were guided in their activities by the First Hierarchs, archpastors and clergy of the Russian Church.

In the first centuries of the existence of the Russian Church

Before gaining autocephaly in the 15th century, the Russian Orthodox Church, as one of the metropolises of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, was guided by the same "Nomokanons" as the Church of Constantinople, all the decrees of its Councils, Patriarchs and Synods were obligatory for the Russian Church as well. The most authoritative sources of Old Russian ecclesiastical law during this period were the letters of the Ecumenical Patriarchs on the affairs of the Russian Church, drawn up in the form of letters to Russian metropolitans, bishops, and princes.

At the same time, as an autonomous metropolis of the Patriarch of Constantinople, the Russian Church carried out its sovereign legislative activity within the limits of this autonomy. The local bodies of church lawmaking were primarily Councils. In addition to conciliar decrees, the canonical epistles and replies of the metropolitans and diocesan bishops also belong to the monuments of the ecclesiastical legislation of ancient Russia.

The peculiarity of Russian history during the period of dependence of the Russian Church on the Patriarch of Constantinople was expressed in the fact that the church-legal documents of state origin that were in force in Russia in this era were published by different authorities: the local grand-ducal and appanage princely power, the Byzantine emperors and the Golden Horde khans.

The legislation of the Russian princes, of course, makes up most of the church-legal material. The so-called princely statutes, in contrast to the laws of the Byzantine emperors, practically do not affect internal church life, but only concern the relationship between the Church and the state: most often they list the benefits provided to the Church. The most important monuments of national law are the Charter of Saint Vladimir and the Charter of Yaroslav the Wise; they were included in the Russian handwritten "Pilot Books", which contained a set of regulations of the life of that time, both secular and ecclesiastical.

Some of the letters of the Byzantine emperors on Russian church affairs have also survived, but the participation of the emperors in the church life of Russia was very limited both because of its political independence from Constantinople and because of the geographical remoteness of the Russian land.

The dependence of our Church on the Golden Horde, which had enslaved Russia, was much more tangible. The Mongol khans gave the so-called labels to the Russian metropolitans. When appointed, each metropolitan had to ask the khan to confirm the previous or issue a new label. It is characteristic that the labels not only confirmed the privileges of metropolitans, bishops and clergy that existed before the conquest of Rus, but also expanded them in comparison with the previous ones. As the researchers noted, "the khans protected the inviolability of faith, worship, laws, courts and property of the Church, freed all clergy from all kinds of taxes and duties, and provided the spiritual authorities with the right to judge their people in all civil and criminal matters."

Statutes of life of the autocephalous Russian Church

With the beginning of the autocephalous existence of the Russian Church, the sources of Russian ecclesiastical law remained unchanged: the "Nomokanon" in the form of the "Helmsman of the Book", the decisions of the Councils, the canonical answers and messages of the hierarchs, the "Statutes" of St. Vladimir and Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Local Councils were the main ecclesiastical legislative body.

Great is the historical significance of the Council of 1551, convened under St. Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow, and under Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The subjects of the conciliar discourse were outlined in 69 questions proposed by the king. The Council issued a Code, divided into 100 chapters. Hence its name - "Stoglav", which was transferred to the Cathedral itself. The Code touches upon the main aspects of church life; it collected and systematized all the norms of the current law of the Russian Church.

After the establishment of the Patriarchate in Moscow in 1589, the Local Council convened the following year issued an act with a letter from Patriarch Jeremiah II of Constantinople on the election of Job as Patriarch and on the Patriarchal title of his successors. This deed is placed at the beginning of the printed Pilot Book.

A number of decisions of Stoglava were canceled by the Great Moscow Council of 1667, convened during the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. The Great Moscow Council expressed the norm of relations between church and state power as follows: the tsar has priority in political affairs, and the Patriarch in church affairs. The resolutions of the Council are mentioned as laws in force in the Spiritual Regulations, which marked the beginning of the Synodal period, and were included in the Complete Collection of Laws of the Russian Empire.

The Council of 1675 established provisions on the advantages and distinctions of the Patriarch, Metropolitan, Archbishop, Bishop and other hierarchical persons.

In addition to conciliar decrees, bishop letters, archpastoral epistles and teachings, also related to the period under review, have come down to us. Some of these documents were subsequently included in the "Complete collection of laws of the Russian Empire" in 1830, and therefore, they retained legal force in the 19th century.

Church legal relations were also regulated by state legislation. In Muscovite Russia, in addition to the Consecrated (Church) Councils, Zemsky Councils were convened. So, adopted by the bicameral Council and published in 1649, the Code included, among other things, chapters devoted to church affairs.

Synodal period

At the beginning of the 18th century, a difficult and controversial period began in the history of the Russian Church. After the death of Patriarch Adrian, Emperor Peter I forbade the election of a new Patriarch, and the Church in Russia was ruled by the Locum Tenens for two decades, then the Theological College was established with the Emperor as "the extreme Judge of this College." Soon the Theological College was renamed the Holy Synod.

The most important church legal monument of the era, on which the foundations of the synodal system of church administration are based, is the Spiritual Regulations, drawn up by Bishop Theophan (Prokopovich) in 1719, signed by the Consecrated Council and approved by Peter I in December 1720.

The "Regulation" consists of three parts. The first part, entitled “What is a Spiritual Collegium, and What Are the Important Faults of Such a Government?” Provides an overview of the collegial form of government and explains its advantages over sole authority. The main argument here is the danger of dual power in the state. In the second part, entitled "Cases of Administration, These Are Subject", describes the range of affairs subordinate to the newly established church government. It also speaks in general terms of the duties of bishops, priests, monks and laity. In the third part - "The position and power of the rulers themselves" - the composition of the Spiritual Collegium and the duties of its members are determined.

In 1722, as a supplement to the "Spiritual Regulations", the "Addendum on the Rules of the Church Clergy and the Order of the Monastic" was drawn up, which contains whole statutes on the parish clergy and monasticism. The document was also supplemented by instructions to the Chief Prosecutor of the Synod. In 1841, the "Charter of Spiritual Consistories" approved by the Synod was first published, which was thoroughly revised four decades later. This is a kind of "Spiritual Regulations" of the diocesan administration.

Restoration of the Patriarchate on the Eve of the Hardest Persecution of the Church

The canonical inferiority of the synodal system burdened the conscience of bishops, clergy and laity. In the second half of the 19th century, the need to transform the church system began to be discussed publicly. The church people have hope for the convocation of an All-Russian Local Council. The idea of ​​restoring the Patriarchate is ripening in the minds of people who were especially painful in the uncanonical nature of the synodal administration.

The specially established Pre-Council Presence prepared materials for the upcoming Local Council, but the tsar considered the convocation of the Council untimely. In 1912, the materials of the Presence were revised by the Pre-Council Meeting, but again the matter did not come to the convocation of the Council. Only the abdication of the emperor opened the way to the Local Council. In 1917, the Pre-Council Council, chaired by Archbishop Sergius, prepared the "Statute on the All-Russian Local Council."

The Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, held in 1917-1918, was an event of epoch-making significance. Having abolished the canonically flawed and finally obsolete synodal system of church government and restored the Patriarchate, he paved the line between the two periods of Russian church history. The main goal of the Council was to organize church life on the basis of full-blooded conciliarity, and in completely new conditions, when, following the fall of the autocracy, the former close union of Church and state collapsed. Therefore, the theme of conciliar acts was, therefore, predominantly of a church-organizing canonical character.

With the restoration of the Patriarchate, the transformation of the entire system of church government was not completed. The brief Definition of November 4, 1917 was subsequently supplemented with a whole series of detailed definitions about the bodies of the highest church authority: "On the rights and duties of the Most Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia", "On the Holy Synod and the Supreme Church Council", "On the range of cases subject to bodies of the highest church administration ”,“ On the procedure for the election of the Most Holy Patriarch ”,“ On the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne ”.

These definitions constituted the present code of the Russian Orthodox Church, replacing the "Spiritual Regulations", "Charter of Spiritual Consistories" and a number of more private legislative acts of the synodal era.

The Council endowed the Patriarch with the rights corresponding to the canonical norms, first of all the 34th Apostolic Canon and the 9th Canon of the Council of Antioch: to take care of the welfare of the Russian Church and represent it before the state authorities, to communicate with the autocephalous churches, to address the All-Russian flock with teaching messages, to take care of timely replacement bishops' chairs, give fraternal advice to bishops. The patriarch received the right to visit all dioceses of the Russian Church and the right to receive complaints against bishops. According to the Definition, the Patriarch is the Diocesan Bishop of the Patriarchal Region, which consists of the Moscow Diocese and the stauropegic monasteries. The administration of the Patriarchal Region under the general leadership of the First Hierarch was entrusted to the Archbishop of Kolomna and Mozhaisk.

Local Cathedral 1917-1918 formed two bodies of collegial management of the Church in the period between Councils: the Holy Synod and the Supreme Church Council. The jurisdiction of the Synod included matters of a hierarchical-pastoral, doctrinal, canonical and liturgical nature, and the jurisdiction of the Supreme Church Council - administrative, economic, school and educational. And, finally, especially important issues related to the protection of the rights of the Russian Orthodox Church, preparations for the upcoming Council, the opening of new dioceses, were to be decided by the joint presence of the Synod and the Supreme Church Council.

The Supreme Church Council existed in the Russian Church for a very short time. Already in 1921, in connection with the expiration of a three-year inter-conciliar term, the powers of the members of the Synod and the Supreme Church Council, elected at the Council, ceased, and the new composition of these bodies was determined by the sole decree of the Patriarch in 1923 by the Decree of Patriarch Tikhon of July 18, 1924, the Synod and the Supreme Church Council were disbanded.

The life of the Russian Church under the yoke of the atheistic state

In May 1927, the Deputy Locum Tenens, Metropolitan Sergius (Stragorodsky), established the Provisional Patriarchal Synod. But it was only a deliberative institution under the First Hierarch, who at that time possessed all the fullness of the highest ecclesiastical authority.

On September 8, 1943, the Council of Bishops was opened in Moscow, which included three metropolitans, eleven archbishops and five bishops. The Council elected Metropolitan Sergius the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

In 1945, a new Local Council took place, at which Metropolitan Alexy (Simansky) of Leningrad was elected Patriarch. The Council issued a short Statute on the Russian Orthodox Church of 48 articles, which replaced the Definitions of the Council of 1917-1918. There is an undoubted continuity between the legislative acts of the two Local Councils, while the changes introduced due to the circumstances of the time, based on the invaluable experience experienced by the Church, consisted, on the whole, in emphasizing the hierarchy of the church system. The "regulations" of the Council of 1945 expanded the competence of the Patriarch, diocesan bishop, parish rector

Unlike the documents of the Council of 1917-1918, in the said Statute our Church is called not Russian, but, as in antiquity, Russian.

The Holy Synod, according to the Regulations on the Administration of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1945, differed from the Synod formed in 1918 in that it did not share its power with the Supreme Church Council and had a different composition, and it differed from the Provisional Synod under the Deputy Locum Tenens by the presence of a real power, since it was not only an advisory body under the First Hierarch.

The Council of Bishops, held in 1961, revised the Statute on the Russian Orthodox Church in the part concerning parish administration; clergy were removed from the disposal of the material resources of parishes, which was now entrusted exclusively to parish meetings and parish councils, headed by their chairmen-elders. This decision was approved in 1971 by the Local Council, at which Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna Pimen (Izvekov) was elected Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

A New Period in the Historical Life of the Russian Orthodox Church

The Local Council, which took place in 1988, the year of the millennium of the Baptism of Rus, issued the Statutes of the Russian Orthodox Church. In it, in incomparably more detail than in the "Statute on the Russian Orthodox Church", the structure of the higher, diocesan and parish administration, the activities of theological schools and monasteries were regulated. The "Rule" incorporated the principles of the church system that had stood the test of life, which formed the basis of the "Determinations" of the Local Council of 1917-1918. and the "Regulations" issued by the Council of 1945.

This document became the basic law of our Local Church for twelve years, and in 2000, according to the decision of the Jubilee Council of Bishops, it was replaced by a new Statute, which also undergoes changes over time, reflecting changes in the life of the Russian Church.

The current Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church was adopted by the Jubilee Bishops' Council in 2000. The document was made up of provisions regulating the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church as a Local Autocephalous Church, which is in doctrinal unity and prayer-canonical communion with other Local Orthodox Churches. The Charter speaks of the procedure for the convocation and work of the Local Council and the Council of Bishops, their status and powers; a separate chapter is devoted to the activities of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

The document also contains provisions concerning the activities of the Holy Synod, the Moscow Patriarchate and Synodal institutions, and the church court. The Charter also contains provisions governing the establishment and life of self-governing Churches within the Moscow Patriarchate, and lists the currently existing self-governing Churches, considers issues related to the activities of the Exarchates of the Russian Orthodox Church, the establishment and life of the Metropolitan Districts within the Moscow Patriarchate.

The Charter regulates the activities of the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church, deaneries, institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church in the far abroad; regulates the establishment and life of parishes and monasteries, the work of educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as other issues related to church administration and the activities of church institutions.

Changes to the Charter were previously introduced by the Determinations of the Councils of Bishops in 2008 and 2011.

The Consecrated Bishops 'Council of 2013, having studied the proposals of the Inter-Council Presence to clarify the powers of the Local and Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, to determine the rules for the election of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, as well as the composition of the Local Council, issued a Decision on the adoption of a new edition of the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church. In addition, the Holy Synod adopted a number of decisions requiring amendments and additions to the Statutes of the Russian Orthodox Church. In particular, these are the decisions on the establishment of the Central Asian Metropolitan District, on the creation of the Supreme Church Council, on the formation of metropolises, on the formation of diocesan vicariates, on amending the composition of the Holy Synod. These changes were reflected in the new version of the Charter. Together with the new edition of this document, the Council approved the Regulation on the election of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Regulation on the composition of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The article uses materials from the book

Archpriest Vladislav Tsypin "Church Law"

The Holy Fathers, the Ecumenical and Local Councils, constantly took care of the observance of church-liturgical discipline. Bearing in mind the gospel example of the Savior, who expelled the merchants from the church, as well as the instruction of the apostle “Cast out the wicked from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:13), they were guided by them when punishing clergy and laity for violation of the Church charter and especially liturgical discipline.

In the Church, everything should be based on the prescriptions of the church canons and the liturgical Rule: everything should be done “in a good manner and according to the order” (1 Cor. 14:40).

Pastors and laity should zealously follow the canons and the Rule, so as not to deviate from the path of grace-filled obedience to the path of self-will and self-interest.

Having created the Church of Christ in different parts of the world on the principles bequeathed by the Savior, the holy apostles demanded from pastors and all Christians unquestioning obedience to their instructions and instructions, but always imbued with the spirit of Christian love and paternal care, as evidenced by the epistles of the Supreme Apostle Paul.

The primates and archpastors of the Russian Orthodox Church strictly monitored the observance of liturgical discipline. His Holiness Patriarch Alexy (1877-1970) said in one of his speeches before the pupils of theological schools: “The pastor has two sacred duties - this is prayer and deed ... Prayer and deed are like two wings that lift the shepherd from earth to heaven area. With prayer, he accompanies each of his sacred rites in the temple; by prayer, he prepares himself at home for the performance of the Divine service. And the deeper this solitary prayer becomes, the more earnestly the pastor fulfills his cell rule, the more accurately he fulfills the requirements established by the Church, the more effective the power of his sacred rites is ... prayer, or only outwardly fulfills what is written in the books. "

An Orthodox Christian needs a prayer-book shepherd. The sincerity of the prayer of the pastor is always gratefully received by those praying.

To perform divine services, to converse with the Lord God Himself, whom the angels stand before with fear and trembling, should be with great reverence and zeal, since the service is performed to God. The whole thought of a priest during the performance of the divine service should be directed towards the Master and Lord, to whom he stands and serves and whose image he bears within himself. Therefore, clergymen should read prayers with all attention and reverence, without omitting or adding anything, and reading from the book so that there is no hesitation.

The heart of a shepherd, when he prays for the living and the dead, should be given to prayer, warmly and sincerely benevolently wish for those for whom prayers are offered up. And the more people he asks for the blessings of the Lord and the higher these blessings, the more the enemy of salvation opposes him. A pastor must fight temptations by patiently staying in prayer, conquering the disembodied enemy by the power of God.

All movements of the clergy during the service should be sedate, the gait free and unhurried. Burning should be done smoothly, slowly, but not tightening. According to church regulations, during prayers, the clergyman must earnestly perform the sign of the cross, as well as bows and bows to the ground.

A pastor should pay particular attention to his behavior at the altar. The uninitiated should not be allowed into the altar, and its cleaning should be entrusted to deacons or psalmists. According to the canonical rules, only bishops and elders can sit in the altar during the readings of the parimias and the Apostle. Walking on the altar, as well as exits from the altar, not prescribed by the Rite, are inadmissible. After the communion of the clergy, the holy gates should be opened and the Holy Gifts should be worn out for the communion of the faithful. Only the words of Holy Scripture and church service books can be heard in the altar.

The shepherd is called to know the ancient liturgical traditions, observe them and instruct the flock to behave reverently in the temple. Should not be allowed during service and attachment to shrines. The priest must explain that at the evening entrance with a censer, six psalms, polyeleos, akathist, singing "The Most Honest", great doxology and the Eucharistic canon of the liturgy, walking around the church is not permissible.

The earnestness of divine services, its both external and internal spiritual beauty primarily depend on the clergy themselves. The simplicity and severity of worship are the best adornments that contribute to its full comprehension. Everything should be simple, but with a warm feeling and reverence.

The zealous performance of worship places the shepherd highly in the eyes of believers and brings him their love. "The flock will forgive another pastor for some, perhaps, dryness and severity ... they will forgive him even for his weaknesses, but a Russian Orthodox person will never forgive a priest for unbelief and unreasonable, careless, outwardly formal performance of his pastoral duties."

Abbreviations in divine services are unacceptable: the beauty of the Orthodox service is fully revealed only by observing its structure, imbued with deep spiritual meaning. It is impossible to make arbitrary changes in the words of prayers, in litanies and exclamations. It is not necessary to introduce non-church hymns into everyday life during extra-liturgical hours, for our church hymns were created by St. John Damascene (7th-8th centuries), St. Andrew of Crete (7th-8th centuries) and many other church hymnists.

The commemoration during the Great Entrance, especially on Great Saturday, when "all human flesh is silent, thinking nothing earthly in itself" at the sight of their Lord and Savior in the grave, the clergy are supposed to say quietly, reverently, "hear it very much to each other." There cannot and should not be a division of divine services into solemn and simple: every Orthodox service, as a service of God, by its very idea is inherent in solemnity, for every Orthodox service the venerable name of our God is solemnly glorified, so that everyday services should be performed according to the Charter, without cuts and leisurely.

The furnishings of the church should contribute to the prayer mood of the believer: “The Holy Fathers, who established not only the liturgical order in churches, but also their appearance and internal structure, everything was thought out, everything was provided for and arranged to create a special mood in the worshipers, so that nothing in the church would offend neither hearing, nor sight, and so that nothing distracts from striving towards heaven, towards God, towards the heavenly world, the reflection of which should be the temple of God. If in the hospital for bodily ailments everything is foreseen in order to create conditions for the patient that are necessary for his health, then how should everything be provided in the spiritual hospital, in the temple of God, ”wrote His Holiness Patriarch Alexy.

The electric lighting of the temple has no symbolic meaning. Electricity cannot replace lamps and candles in the church. Oil and wax have a symbolic meaning in the Orthodox Church: according to the explanation of Simeon, Archbishop of Thessaloniki (XIV-XV centuries), oil - in the image of Divine mercy; wax, composed of many flowers, as our all-perfect offering and sacrifice from all. Therefore, one should not substitute electric bulbs for candles and lamps in front of icons, on the throne and altar, and use multi-colored bulbs in chandeliers and candelabra. Chandeliers burning with artificial light are permissible; but in no case should you place electric bulbs in a seven-branched candlestick and illuminate revered icons with many lamps. Any light, and even more so electrical effects during services are unacceptable. The lamps should be well filled before the service.

According to the instructions of the Ustav, at all Vespers “it is appropriate to burn candles from the beginning” in front of the image of the Savior, the Mother of God and the temple icon “on the right hand of the country” of the iconostasis, and at the Small and Great Vespers a candle is lit in front of the analogue on which the festive icon is relied. In addition, at Great Vespers, another candle is lit "in front of the image of the Savior on a teabel" - part of the iconostasis above the royal doors, where before the Deisis (the icon with the image of the Savior in the center, the Mother of God and John the Baptist - on the sides) there was a candlestick that went down and lifted by a cord.

In the altar, candles are lit at the throne, and “according to the 1st antiphon of kathisma,” at the beginning of “Lord, I have cried out,” all other lamps are kindled. At the daily Vespers, lamps in front of the analogion, in the table and in the altar near the throne are lit "according to poetry", at the beginning of the singing "Lord, I have cried out", and at Great Vespers at this time, "it is necessary to light other candles." The lamps are extinguished at small vespers, at the evening dismissal, and at other vespers - according to the final Trisagion (Ustav, chapters 24-25). At Compline, Midnight Office and Hours, lamps are lit in front of the images of the Savior and the Mother of God. At the beginning of Matins, lamps are also lit in front of the temple icon.

While singing "God the Lord" the lamps are kindled in front of the analogion and in the stool, at the beginning of the polyeleos "all the lights" are kindled, which burn "until the end of the 3rd canon" of the canon, and then, since the 3rd and 6th the statutory readings are relied on in the songs, they are extinguished, and on the 8th they light up and burn again until the end of the great doxology.

In many churches, candles are burned out at the beginning of the service, and one or two candles flicker when the most important parts are performed. The lighting of candles should be distributed so that they are enough for the polyeleos, the singing of "The Most Honest", the great praise - the main parts of Matins at the All-Night Vigil and, necessarily, for the Eucharistic Canon at the Liturgy. According to the instruction of Izvestiya Uchitelny under the Service Book, at least two candles must be lit on the throne at the main services of the daily liturgical circle - evening, morning and liturgy.

An integral part of the Orthodox liturgical service is the icon. Icons and murals in the church should be of ancient Orthodox writing and be placed in accordance with the rules that have long been accepted in the Orthodox Church. By the 11th century in Byzantium, a certain order was established for placing iconographic images in the altar and temple. This order in its main features was adopted in Russia, and in ancient temples it can be observed to this day. From the point of view of iconography and liturgy, this order is very important, because it reflects in its entirety in the forms of iconography the idea of ​​the Church. Decorating icons with artificial flowers that offend the honor of the shrine should be avoided: “They are reprehensible in church use - not because they are of little value, but because they contain lies,” said His Holiness Patriarch Alexy. Fresh flowers can be placed or placed near icons, but in moderation. Pots or tubs of houseplants should not be placed in the altar and temple.

The Russian Orthodox Church tirelessly cares about the preservation of churches. She carefully treats the heritage of her ancestors - the temples of ancient architecture. Any repairs to the temple are carried out with the knowledge and permission of local authorities, and restoration work in temples - monuments of ancient architecture with the permission and under the supervision of state bodies for the protection of ancient monuments and the Society for the Protection of Monuments by restorers-specialists.

The area of ​​church-liturgical discipline includes the prescriptions about the daily appearance of the pastor: the pastor must always have a neat appearance, he must wear only clothing that befits his clerical title. Clothes made of expensive fabrics are not befitting of clergy. According to ancient traditions, dark clothing should be preferred.

During the service, it is necessary to ensure that the vestments do not move from the shoulders and to the side, and that trousers and boots are not visible from under the cassock and surplice. During divine services, subdeacons and readers should be clothed in surplice of the same color as the vestments of the clergy, and of the same, and not worse, cloth. When choosing the color of vestments on holidays, it is necessary to conform to the traditions that have long been accepted in church practice.

If each divine service for a priest is a bold opening of the future Kingdom of Glory, then the Divine Liturgy, when the great sacrament of the Bloodless Sacrifice is performed, into which the holy angels only wish to penetrate, is for the priest the greatest opening of the future Kingdom. And what holiness, purity and purity of soul and body should be possessed by a priest who stands before the holy throne, which signifies the Throne of God, and performs the bold offering of the Bloodless Sacrifice during the Divine Liturgy.

Therefore, before the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the priest must especially carefully observe the purity of his soul and body in order to appear before the Throne of God with a clear conscience and receive what is asked of the Lord. Otherwise, he must immediately clear his conscience in the sacrament of Repentance. The Old Testament priest of Oz was punished with death only for having unworthily touched the Sacred Kivot (2 Kings 6, 6-7).

All clergymen should appear for divine services fully prepared, sober, decently and neatly dressed and have a fine appearance. Each of them bows with prayer before entering the temple, and upon entering - in front of the iconostasis, venerated icons and other shrines. Before the commencement of the service, the psalmist must make sure that everything is ready for the commencement of the service. The priest does the same. So that there are no stops and confusion in the church service, the psalmist must not only know the Rite well, but also carefully prepare for each service: find the day conception of the Apostle, kathisma, look through the stichera that he will sing, make all the notes and placement of the main stanzas. For help, he must turn to the abbot or another priest. After praying before the royal doors, the priest turns his face to the pilgrims and bows to them, then passes through the southern door to the altar, and the psalmist and deacon bow to him, and when he venerates the throne, they receive a blessing from him.

One should not look at the people when opening the doors and curtains of the altar. You cannot lean on the throne and the altar. During the divine service, a priest should not give orders aloud to anyone, and even more so interrupt, even if some mistake has been made in the kliros. The remark or instruction must be made imperceptibly so that the mistake does not become a temptation for those praying. When censing a priest with a deacon around the altar, the table at the blessing of water, ecumenical requiems and at the tomb of the deceased, one must begin to incense when the deacon stands on the opposite side with a candle. At the same time, both do bows at the same time. Neither the deacons, when they stand on the ambo, nor the psalmists from the kliros, should turn around and look at those standing in the church. Psalm-makers and choir singers should read or sing without leaning on the lectern.

Church elders monitor the maintenance of order during divine services, in all their actions they are called to strictly observe decency and decency.

According to the current regulations on the structure and administration of the Russian Orthodox Church, the church headman is the chairman of the executive body of the church, which includes the assistant headman, if any, the accountant, the chairman of the audit committee and the treasurer. The executive body is responsible for carrying out all financial and economic activities of the temple.

The pastor is obliged to accompany each church service with the preaching of the Word of God for spiritual guidance in the salvation of believers, and the departure of the requirements should be preceded by a conversation of the pastor, explaining the essence and meaning of the upcoming divine services and prayers.

It is important for an Orthodox pastor to observe a reverent attitude towards the Church liturgical rule.

Both the Jerusalem and the Studian editions of the Orthodox liturgical Rule were created in monasteries: the first - in the Lavra of Saint Sava the Sanctified, near Jerusalem, the second - in the Studia monastery, near Constantinople. The Russian Orthodox Church has long developed a high respect for the Divine Service Rule, fanned by the holiness of its compilers.

For a long time, the requirements of the Church charter were strictly fulfilled. In order to bring the fulfillment of the Rule closer to the conditions of parish life, over time, a special liturgical technique was applied, known as polyphony - the simultaneous reading and singing of various, successive parts of the divine service. But the very content of the Charter remained unchanged. The instructions of the Charter on the order of performing the liturgical sequences and their number, as before, were respected and fulfilled.

At the end of the 17th century, polyphony was prohibited. Then a new method of bringing the Charter closer to practice arose, which significantly differed from polyphony: the list of requirements of the Charter began to be reduced. This did not happen immediately. The tradition of punctual treatment of the Charter has been observed for a long time. But gradually they began to treat the Charter freely and the lofty goals of the Charter began to be forgotten.

The liturgy of the Orthodox Church, in accordance with the dogmatic teaching on the connection between the triumphant Heavenly Church and the militant earthly Church, attaches special importance to the thought of believers to be constantly directed towards strengthening this connection in religious consciousness. The content of the divine services constantly mentions her as an immutable path to salvation. This is recalled in litanies, dismissals, and other parts of the successions. To assimilate this thought by believers, the introduction of the prayer “Save, O God, Thy people and bless Thy heritage,” which is the euchological (gerch. “Evkhi” - prayer, “logos” - word = prayerful), the disclosure of the dogma about the connection between the Heavenly and the earthly Churches. The Heavenly Church, to whose intercession believers pray prayerfully, intercedes for them before God. The prayer contains a liturgical catalog of the saints as an obligatory part. Without it, first of all, the dogmatic character of prayer is weakened. On the other hand, through this catalog, the thematic connection of prayer is preserved with the subsequent content of the all-night vigil (canon), revealing the patristic thought that “she is dear to the angels and men of the memory of the saints” (Saint Ephraim of Syria; † 373). All this determines the dogmatic and liturgical essence of prayer, although sometimes it is completely rejected by our liturgical practice. The catalog of saints is usually skipped, and the text of the prayer is sometimes shortened so much that only the opening and closing phrases remain.

It is possible to cite facts when deviation from the instructions of the Rule does not shorten, but lengthens the duration of worship. The practice, for example, included the singing of prayers "Grant me, Lord, this evening", "Now let go" and the verses before the six psalms "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth" and "Lord, open my mouth". In the latter case, not only the reading of the Six Psalms is delayed, but the vocal preludes are in complete contradiction with the intention of the author of the study to provide the psychological side of the reading of the Six Psalms - “the conversation of the human soul with God,” as the Church calls the Six Psalms, - the achievement of deep concentration of the worshipers when listening to the reading of the Psalms of the Six Psalms ... The chant we hear before the psalms carries with it an element of entertainment. The basis of prayer concentration collapses, and it is not possible to restore it until the very end of the reading.

Undoubtedly, the difficulties of the statutory divine service exist, since the existing Statute, when it was drawn up, was intended for monasteries, and not for parish churches. But when solving them, one must remember that Orthodox worship has a great impact on the religious mood of the worshipers, and it is especially strong in the statutory service.

Orthodox worship attracts worshipers with its word. The Monks Sava the Sanctified (+ 532) and Theodore the Studite (+ 829), together with the successors of the work they had begun - drawing up the Rite, used the riches of ancient Christian literature. What can compare with the canons of St. Andrew, Archbishop of Crete (+ 712), St. Cosmas, Bishop of Maium (+ c. 787), St. Theophanes, Bishop of Nicea (+ 850), who created a "crown" in honor of his brother St. Theodore the Inscribed, confessor († c. 840), or with the stichera of the nun Cassia (IX century) and other hymnographers, with marvelous prayer texts included in the Orthodox liturgical sequences ?! All this is the inexhaustible liturgical wealth of Orthodox theology, to which the Rule attracts worshipers in the church.

And this moral aspect of Orthodox divine services is especially vividly revealed during the persistent performance of divine services in accordance with the Rule.

The charter of the Orthodox Church prescribes certain rules for the external expression of the state of prayer of a Christian during public worship and in private prayer. Such an expression of Christian prayer is the performance of the sign of the cross, various obeisances and adoration of the shrine.

In individual prayer, performed in private, every Christian, prompted to this by his personal religious feeling and state of mind at the moment, is free to use one or another external sign. But the behavior of the worshiper, and even more so of the clergyman, during public worship is strictly determined by the Church charter, which serves both as the law of the performance of the service and external behavior in the church, and the rule for the education of the internal spiritual discipline of an Orthodox Christian. Here are the most important of his prescriptions in this regard.

An Orthodox Christian must enter the church quietly and reverently, as into the house of God, into the mysterious dwelling of the Heavenly King; noise, conversation, and even more so laughter, at the entrance to the church offend the holiness of the house of God and the greatness of God who dwells in it - “I will enter Your house, I will worship Your holy temple in Your passion” (Psalm 5: 8).

After entering the temple, you need to stop, make three bows (on ordinary days - earthly, and on Saturday, Sunday and holidays - belt) with the prayer "God, cleanse me, sinful" and bow right and left to people who entered the church before you ...

Once in place, it is relied with reverence and fear of God to pray the words: "God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me!", "Having created me, Lord, have mercy on me!" “We bow to Your Cross, O Lord, and glorify Your Holy Resurrection!” Honest Cherubim and the most glorious Seraphim without comparison, without the corruption of God the Word, giving birth to the Mother of God, We magnify Thee! " Amen". "Lord have mercy!" (three times), "Bless." “Through the prayers of the saints, our Father, Lord, Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us” (prayer with bows).

The same prayers are said when leaving the temple.

The church service is performed with many great and small bows. The Holy Church requires bowing with inner reverence and outer grace. Before bowing, you need to overshadow yourself with the sign of the cross and then bow. The sign of the cross must be portrayed correctly, reverently and slowly. The church charter strictly requires us to do everything in the temple of God not only earnestly and decorously, but in a timely manner and unhurriedly, that is, where it is indicated.

In general, obeisances should be made at the end of each short petition; for example: "Lord, have mercy" or prayer, and not during its execution. “Not in conjunction with prayer,” as the Typicon says.

Before the beginning of any divine service, three bows should be made. Then, at all services, at every "Come, let us bow down", on "Holy God", on "Glory to you who showed us the light", on the threefold "Alleluia" and on "Be the name of the Lord" bows with the sign of the cross are relied on.

At all litanies, one should attentively listen to each petition, mentally raise a prayer to God and, having covered oneself with the sign of the cross when exclaiming: “Lord, have mercy” or “Give, Lord,” put a bow at the waist. When singing and reading stichera, poems and other prayers, bow is supposed only when the words of the prayers encourage this, for example, when the words “fall,” “worship,” “pray Tis,” etc.

When reading the akathist, a bow is required at each kontakion and ikos.

On the polyeleos, after each glorification - one bow.

Before reading the Gospel and after reading it on "Glory to Thee, Lord," one bow at the waist is always relied upon.

When you start reading or chanting the Creed, the words "I believe", "And in the One Lord Jesus Christ" and "And in the Holy Spirit" overshadow yourself with the sign of the cross, without bowing.

When a priest says: "Peace be to all" or proclaims: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and love God and the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all," you should bow, but without the sign of the cross; The same bow is also due with any blessing by the priest to all those praying, as well as with the release, if such is performed without the Cross. When the dismissal is said by the priest with the Cross, with which he overshadows the worshipers, the bow should be done with the sign of the cross.

When proclaiming "Bow your head, the Lord," you should bow your head.

One should apply to the Holy Gospel, the Cross, relics and icons as follows: approach in the proper order, without haste and without disturbing others, not pushing anyone and not pushing back; put two bows before kissing and one after kissing the holy thing. Applying to the icon of the Savior, one should kiss the feet; to the icon of the Mother of God and the saints - a hand. Applying to the Holy Gospel, you can say to yourself the prayers "With fear and love I approach Ty, Christ, and I believe with Thy word," "Christ God, help me and save me."

When praying for the living and the dead and calling them by their names, one should pronounce the names with love, for, due to the duty of Christian love, they demand from us heartfelt sympathy and love.

One should pray for the departed as follows: "Remember, Lord, the souls of the departed Thy servant (names) and forgive them their sins, voluntary and involuntary, grant them the Kingdom and the communion of Thy eternal blessings and Thy endless and blessed life pleasure."

When a clergyman performs incense for worshipers, respond to it by tilting the head.

While reading the Gospel - stand with bowed head, as if listening to Jesus Christ Himself.

While singing the Cherubic song, one should carefully read to oneself the penitential psalm "Have mercy on me, O God," at the end of the first half of the Cherubic song, one should bow in the waist. During the Great Entrance, at the commemoration of His Holiness the Patriarch and other persons, one must stand reverently, with the head bowed, and at the end of the commemoration, with the words "All of you Orthodox Christians", say: "May your hierarchy remember the Lord God in His Kingdom" - during the ministry of the bishop; during the ministry of other clergy, it is said: “Holy abomination, or priesthood, or your priesthood may the Lord God remember in His Kingdom,” then with a deep feeling of repentance and a prayerful spirit you should say: “Remember me, Lord, when you come in Your Kingdom.”

During the celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist itself, one should pray with special attention and, at the end of the song "We Sing To Thee," bow down to the earth, the Body and Blood of Christ. The significance of this moment is so great that nothing in our life can compare with it. It contains our salvation and God's love for the human race, for “God appeared in the flesh” (1 Tim. 3:16).

While singing “It is Worthy to Eat,” or during the sacrifice, the priest prays for the living and the dead and commemorates them by name, and especially those for whom the Liturgy is served; those present in the temple should at this time remember their loved ones, living and dead.

After "It is worthy to eat" or a backward - bow to the earth. At the words "And everyone and everything" - say in yourself "Through the prayers of all Your saints, Lord, visit and have mercy on us."

At the beginning of the Lord's Prayer "Our Father" - make the sign of the cross and bow down to earth.

At the opening of the royal gates and the manifestation of the Holy Gifts, which signifies the appearance of Jesus Christ after the Resurrection, with the proclamation "With the fear of God and faith come!" - bow to the ground.

At the last appearance of the Holy Gifts (which depicts the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven), at the words of the priest "Always, now and ever, and forever and ever" - also an earthly bow.

Starting to accept the Holy Mysteries - the body and Blood of Christ, you need to bow down to the ground, fold your hands crosswise on your chest and, slowly, reverently and with the fear of God, approach the holy cup, loudly calling your name. After accepting the Holy Mysteries, one should kiss the edge of the cup, as if the very edge of Christ, and then calmly walk away, not placing the sign of the cross and bowing, but mentally thanking the Lord for His great mercy: "Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!"

Bows to the ground on this day are not performed until evening. The holy antidor and the blessed bread should be received reverently and kissing the priest's giving hand. Antidor is distributed to those present at the Liturgy for the blessing and consecration of soul and body, so that those who have not partaken of the Holy Gifts can taste the consecrated bread.

From Holy Easter to the Day of the Holy Trinity and from the Nativity of Christ to the Baptism of the Lord and on all Lord's feasts in general, bows to the earth by the Holy Church are completely canceled.

When people are overshadowed in a church with the Cross, the Gospel, an icon or a chalice, everyone must be baptized, bowing their heads, and when they overshadow the people with candles, hand or cense the people, there is no need to be baptized, but only bow. Only on the holy week of Easter, when the priest censes with the Cross in his hand, everyone is baptized and, responding to his greeting "Christ is risen!", They say: "Truly he is risen!"

When Christians accept the blessing of a priest or bishop, they kiss his right hand and do not get baptized before that.

While in the temple of God, one must remember that you are in the presence of the Lord God, and therefore stand as before His very Face, before His eyes, in the presence of the Mother of God, the Holy Angels and all the saints, for it is said: “In the temple there is Your glory ΄, in heaven we think of standing ”(Follow-up of Matins).

The saving power of church prayers, chants, and readings depends on their effect on our hearts, minds and feelings. Therefore, we need to understand everything that happens in church worship, to penetrate and feed on it. Doing everything nicely and according to the church order, we should glorify our Lord and God in our bodies and souls.

1. The Russian Orthodox Church is a multinational Local Autocephalous Church, which is in doctrinal unity and prayer-canonical communion with other Local Orthodox Churches.

2. The Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches, Exarchates, Metropolitan Districts, Metropolises, Dioceses, Vicariates, Synodal Institutions, Deaneries, Parishes, Monasteries, Brotherhoods, Sisterhoods, Spiritual Educational Institutions, Missions, Representatives and Courtyards (hereinafter referred to as the Charter referred to as "canonical divisions") canonically constitute the Moscow Patriarchate.

3. The jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church extends to persons of the Orthodox confession living in the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church: in the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania , Mongolia, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Estonia, Japan, as well as Orthodox Christians who voluntarily enter it living in other countries.

4. The Russian Orthodox Church, with respect and observance of the laws existing in each state, carries out its activities on the basis of:

a) Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition;

b) canons and rules of the holy apostles, holy Ecumenical and Local Councils and holy fathers;

c) decisions of their Local and Bishops' Councils, the Holy Synod and decrees of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia;

d) this Charter.

5. The Russian Orthodox Church is registered as a legal entity in the Russian Federation as a centralized religious organization.

The Moscow Patriarchate and other canonical subdivisions of the Russian Orthodox Church located on the territory of the Russian Federation are registered as legal entities as religious organizations.

Canonical subdivisions of the Russian Orthodox Church located on the territory of other states can be registered as legal entities in accordance with the laws existing in each country.

6. The Russian Orthodox Church has a hierarchical structure of government.

7. The highest bodies of church power and administration are the Local Council, the Bishops' Council, the Holy Synod, headed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

Under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod, the Supreme Church Council acts as an executive body.

The advisory body that assists the supreme ecclesiastical authority of the Russian Orthodox Church in the preparation of decisions concerning the most important issues of the internal life and external activities of the Russian Orthodox Church is the Inter-Council Presence.

8. In the Russian Orthodox Church, there is a church court in three instances:

a) the diocesan court;

b) general church court;

c) the court of the Bishops' Council.

9. Officials and employees of canonical subdivisions, as well as clergy and laity cannot apply to state authorities and civil courts on issues related to internal church life, including canonical administration, church organization, liturgical and pastoral activities.

10. The canonical subdivisions of the Russian Orthodox Church do not conduct political activities and do not provide their premises for holding political events.

Chapter II. Local Cathedral

1. The Local Council shall have the highest power in the Russian Orthodox Church in the election of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and his retirement, the granting of autocephaly, autonomy or self-government to parts of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as in the consideration of those, the list of which is determined by this Statute.

2. The Local Council is convened as and when necessary by the Council of Bishops. In exceptional cases, the Local Council may be convened by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens) and the Holy Synod.

3. The Local Council consists of bishops, representatives of the clergy, monastics and laity who are included in the Local Council ex officio or elected in accordance with the Regulations on the composition of the Local Council.

The regulations on the composition of the Local Council, as well as amendments and additions to it, are approved by the Council of Bishops.

4. Responsibility for the preparation of the Local Council is borne by the Bishops' Council, which develops, preliminarily approves and submits for the approval of the Local Council the rules of procedure for meetings, the program, agenda, structure of this Council, and also makes other decisions related to the conduct of the Local Council.

In the event that the Local Council is convened by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens) and the Holy Synod, proposals on the schedule of meetings, the program, agenda and structure of the Local Council are approved by the Bishops' Council, whose meeting must necessarily precede the Local Council.

5. Local Cathedral:

a) serves as an expression of the doctrinal and canonical unity of the Russian Orthodox Church and has as its main task its preservation;

b) makes decisions related to the granting of autocephaly, autonomy or self-government to parts of the Russian Orthodox Church;

c) elects the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia in accordance with the Regulations on the election of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and decides on his retirement;

The regulation on the election of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, as well as amendments and additions to it, shall be approved by the Council of Bishops;

d) at the suggestion of the Bishops' Council, develops a position of ecclesiastical completeness on the most important issues concerning the internal church life, relations with other Local Churches, with heterodox confessions and non-Christian religious communities, relations between the Church and states, as well as the Church and society in the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church ;

e) in necessary cases, appeals to the Council of Bishops with a proposal to reconsider the decisions previously adopted by it in the field of doctrine and canonical order, taking into account the opinions expressed by the majority of the participants in the Local Council;

f) initiates consideration of significant issues within the framework of the Inter-Council Presence;

g) cares about the preservation of the purity of the Orthodox faith, Christian morality and piety;

h) approves, changes, cancels and explains its decisions.

6. The Chairman of the Council is the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, in the absence of the Patriarch - the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne.

7. The quorum of the Local Council is 2/3 of the members of the Council, including 2/3 of the bishops of the total number of hierarchs who are members of the Council.

8. The Local Council approves the timetable of meetings, the program, agenda and its structure, as well as elects a presidium and a secretariat by a simple majority of the present members of the Council and forms the necessary working bodies.

9. The Presidium of the Local Council consists of a chairman (Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia or Locum Tenens) and twelve members of the hierarchy. The Presidium presides over the meetings of the Council.

10. The Secretariat of the Local Council consists of a secretary in the rank of bishop and two assistants - a cleric and a layman. The Secretariat is responsible for providing the members of the Council with the necessary working materials and for keeping minutes of meetings. The minutes are signed by the secretary and approved by the chairman.

11. The Council elects the chairmen (in the rank of bishop), members and secretaries of the working bodies established by it by a simple majority of votes.

12. The presidium, secretary and chairmen of the working bodies constitute the cathedral council.

The Cathedral Council is the governing body of the Local Council. His competence includes:

a) consideration of emerging issues on the agenda and submission of proposals on the procedure for their study by the Council;

b) coordination of all activities of the Council;

c) consideration of procedural and protocol issues;

d) administrative and technical support for the normal activities of the Cathedral.

13. All bishops who are members of the Local Council constitute the Bishops' Conference. The meeting is convened by the chairman of the Council on his initiative, by decision of the Council of the Council, or on the proposal of at least 1/3 of the bishops. The task of the Meeting is to discuss those decisions of the Local Council that are of particular importance and that raise doubts from the point of view of compliance with Holy Scripture, Holy Tradition, dogmas and canons, as well as maintaining church peace and unity.

If any decision of the Local Council or part of it is rejected by the majority of the bishops present, then it is submitted for reconsideration. If, after that, the majority of the hierarchs present at the Local Council reject it, then it loses the force of a council decision.

14. The opening of the Local Council and its daily sessions are preceded by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy or other appropriate statutory service.

15. Sessions of the Local Council are chaired by the chairman or, at his suggestion, one of the members of the presidium of the Council.

16. In open sessions of the Local Council, in addition to its members, invited theologians, specialists, observers and guests may take part. The degree of their participation is determined by the regulations, but in any case they are not eligible to vote. Members of the Local Council have the right to submit a proposal to hold a closed session.

17. Decisions at the Local Council are adopted by a majority vote, with the exception of special cases stipulated by the rules of procedure adopted by the Council. In the event of an equality of votes in the event of an open vote, the vote of the chairman is decisive. In case of equality of votes in the event of a secret ballot, a second vote shall be held.

18. Decisions of the Local Council in the form of resolutions and rulings are signed by the chairman and members of the presidium of the Council. Other documents approved by the decisions (resolutions) of the Council are endorsed by the Secretary of the Council.

19. All official documents of the Local Council are signed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens), members of the presidium and the secretary.

20. Resolutions of the Local Council enter into force immediately after their adoption.

Chapter III. Bishops' Council

1. The Council of Bishops belongs to the highest authority in the Russian Orthodox Church in doctrinal, canonical, liturgical, pastoral, administrative and other matters concerning both the internal and external life of the Church; in the field of maintaining fraternal relations with other Orthodox Churches, determining the nature of relations with heterodox confessions and non-Christian religious communities, as well as with states and secular society.

2. The Council of Bishops consists of diocesan and vicar bishops.

3. The Council of Bishops is convened by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens) and the Holy Synod at least once every four years and on the eve of the Local Council, as well as in exceptional cases provided for, in particular, by Article 20 of Chapter V of this Charter.

At the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod or 1/3 of the members of the Council of Bishops - diocesan bishops, an extraordinary Council of Bishops may be convened, which in this case meets no later than six months after the corresponding synodal decision or the appeal of a group of bishops to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod.

4. The Holy Synod is responsible for the preparation of the Council of Bishops.

5. The duties of the Council of Bishops include:

a) preserving the purity and intactness of the Orthodox teaching and the norms of Christian morality and the interpretation of this teaching on the basis of Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, while maintaining the doctrinal and canonical unity with the fullness of Ecumenical Orthodoxy;

b) preserving the dogmatic and canonical unity of the Russian Orthodox Church;

c) the adoption of the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church and the introduction of amendments and additions to it;

d) the solution of fundamental theological, canonical, liturgical and pastoral issues concerning both the internal and external activities of the Church;

e) canonization of saints;

f) competent interpretation of the holy canons and other church statutes;

g) the expression of pastoral concern with the problems of our time;

h) determination of the nature of relations with state institutions;

i) submission to the Local Council of proposals for the creation, reorganization and abolition of Autonomous and Self-Governing Churches;

j) approval of decisions of the Holy Synod on the creation, reorganization and abolition of Exarchates, Metropolitan districts, metropolitanates and dioceses, determination of their boundaries and names, as well as approval of decisions of the Synods of Self-Governing Churches on the creation, reorganization and abolition of metropolises and dioceses;

k) approval of decisions of the Holy Synod on the creation, reorganization and abolition of synodal institutions and other bodies of church administration;

l) on the eve of the Local Council - making proposals on the rules of procedure for meetings, the program, agenda and structure of the Local Council;

m) overseeing the implementation of the decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils;

n) judgment on the activities of the Holy Synod, the Supreme Church Council and synodal institutions;

o) approval, cancellation and amendment of legislative acts of the Holy Synod;

p) establishing a procedure for all ecclesiastical courts;

c) consideration of reports on financial matters submitted by the Holy Synod, and approval of the principles for planning future church-wide income and expenses;

r) approval of new church-wide awards.

6. The Council of Bishops is the ecclesiastical court of the highest instance. As such, he is competent to consider and make decisions.

As part of the Local Council: in the first and last instance on dogmatic and canonical deviations in the activities of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia;

Last resort:

a) on disagreements between two or more bishops;

b) in cases of ecclesiastical offenses of bishops and heads of synodal institutions;

c) on all matters delegated to him by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod.

7. The Chairman of the Council of Bishops is the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia or the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne.

8. The Presidium of the Council of Bishops is the Holy Synod. The Presidium is responsible for the conduct of the Council, as well as for the direction of it. The Presidium proposes the rules of procedure for meetings, the program and agenda of the Council of Bishops, makes proposals on the procedure for the Council to study emerging problems, and considers procedural and protocol issues.

9. The Secretary of the Bishops' Council is elected from among the members of the Holy Synod. The secretary is responsible for providing the Council with the necessary working materials and for keeping minutes. The minutes are signed by the secretary and approved by the chairman of the Council.

10. The opening of the Bishops' Council and its daily sessions are preceded by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy or other appropriate statutory divine service.

11. Sessions of the Council of Bishops are chaired by the chairman or, at his suggestion, one of the members of the presidium.

12. Theologians, specialists, observers and guests may be invited to certain sessions of the Council of Bishops without the right to vote. The degree of their participation in the work of the Council is determined by the regulations.

13. Decisions at the Council of Bishops are adopted by a simple majority of votes, open or secret ballot, with the exception of cases specially stipulated by the rules of procedure adopted by the Council. In the event of an equality of votes in the event of an open vote, the vote of the chairman is decisive. In case of equality of votes by secret ballot, a second vote shall be taken.

14. Decisions of the Council of Bishops in the form of resolutions and rulings are signed by the chairman and members of the presidium of the Council. Other documents approved by the decisions (resolutions) of the Council are endorsed by the Secretary of the Council.

15. None of the bishops who are members of the Council of Bishops may refuse to participate in its sessions, except in cases of illness or other reason, which is recognized by the Council as valid.

16. The quorum of the Bishops' Council is 2/3 of the hierarchs who are its members.

17. The resolutions of the Council of Bishops enter into force immediately after their adoption.

Chapter IV. Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

1. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church bears the title: "His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia."

2. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia has the primacy of honor among the episcopate of the Russian Orthodox Church and is accountable to the Local and Bishops' Councils.

3. The name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia is ascended during divine services in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church according to the following formula: "About our Great Lord and Father (name), His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia."

4. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia takes care of the internal and external well-being of the Russian Orthodox Church and administers it jointly with the Holy Synod, being its chairman.

5. The relationship between the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod, in accordance with the common Orthodox tradition, is determined by the 34th Canon of the Holy Apostles and the 9th Canon of the Council of Antioch.

6. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, together with the Holy Synod, convenes Bishops' Councils, in exceptional cases - Local Councils, and presides over them. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia convenes meetings of the Holy Synod.

7. Exercising his canonical power, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia:

a) is responsible for the implementation of the decisions of the Councils and the Holy Synod;

b) submit to the Councils reports on the state of the Russian Orthodox Church during the inter-Council period;

c) supports the unity of the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church;

d) convene meetings of the Supreme Church Council and preside over them;

e) submits candidates for the members of the Inter-Council Presence for approval by the Holy Synod;

f) carry out supervising supervision over all synodal institutions;

g) addresses with pastoral epistles to the fullness of the Russian Orthodox Church;

h) signs general church documents after appropriate approval by the Holy Synod;

i) exercise executive and administrative powers in the management of the Moscow Patriarchate;

j) communicates with the Primates of the Orthodox Churches in fulfillment of the decisions of the Councils or the Holy Synod, as well as on his own behalf;

k) represents the Russian Orthodox Church in relations with the highest bodies of state power and administration;

l) has a duty of petition and grieving before state authorities, both in the canonical territory and beyond;

m) approves the statutes of Self-Governing Churches, Exarchates, Metropolitan Districts and Dioceses;

n) approves the journals of the Synods of Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts;

o) accepts appeals from the diocesan bishops of the Self-Governing Churches;

p) approves the decisions of the General Church Court in the cases provided for by the Regulations on the Church Court;

c) issues decrees on the election and appointment of diocesan bishops, heads of synodal institutions, vicar bishops, rectors of religious educational institutions, as well as other officials appointed by the Holy Synod, with the exception of rectors of religious educational institutions, as well as abbots (abbesses) and abbots of monasteries of the diocesan subordination;

r) takes care of the timely replacement of bishops' chairs;

s) entrust the bishops with the temporary administration of dioceses in the event of a prolonged illness, death, or being under the ecclesiastical court of diocesan bishops;

t) oversees the fulfillment by the bishops of their archpastoral duty of nourishing the dioceses;

u) has the right to visit, if necessary, all dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church (rule 34 of the Holy Apostles, rule 9 of the Council of Antioch, rule 52 (63) of the Council of Carthage);

v) approves the annual reports of diocesan bishops;

w) teaches the bishops fraternal advice both regarding their personal life and regarding the fulfillment of their archpastoral duty; in case of inattention to his advice, invites the Holy Synod to make an appropriate resolution;

w) accepts for consideration cases related to misunderstandings between bishops who voluntarily apply to his mediation without formal legal proceedings; the decisions of the Patriarch in such cases are binding on both sides;

y) accepts complaints against bishops and gives them a proper course;

z) allows bishops to leave for more than 14 days;

e) rewards bishops with established titles and highest ecclesiastical distinctions;

y) rewards clergy and laity with church awards;

i) on the recommendation of the Study Committee, approves the creation of new departments in theological educational institutions;

z1) approves the award of academic degrees and titles;

z2) takes care of the timely preparation and consecration of the holy world for general church needs.

8. The external distinguishing marks of patriarchal dignity are a white cockle, a green mantle, two panagias, a great paraman and an altar cross.

9. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia is the diocesan bishop of the Moscow diocese, which consists of the city of Moscow and the Moscow region.

The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia is assisted in the administration of the Moscow diocese by the Patriarchal Viceroy as a diocesan bishop with the title of Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna.

The territorial boundaries of government exercised by the Patriarchal Viceroy as a diocesan bishop are determined by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

10. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia is the Holy Archimandrite of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra, a number of other monasteries of particular historical significance, and governs all church stavropegia.

The formation of stauropegic monasteries and farmsteads in the Moscow diocese is carried out by decrees of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

The formation of stavropegia within other dioceses is carried out with the consent of the diocesan bishop by decision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod.

11. San of the Patriarch is life-long.

12. The right to consider the question of the retirement of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia belongs to the Local Council. The right to try the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia belongs to the Bishops' Council, acting as part of the Local Council. The court decision of the Council of Bishops comes into force after the approval of 2/3 of the votes of the members of the Local Council.

13. In the event of the death of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, his retirement, being under a church court or any other reason that makes it impossible for him to fulfill his patriarchal office, the Holy Synod, under the chairmanship of the oldest permanent member of the Holy Synod by ordination, immediately elects a Locum Tenens from among its permanent members. Of the Patriarchal See.

The procedure for the election of the Locum Tenens is established by the Holy Synod.

14. Church property owned by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia by virtue of his position and office is the property of the Russian Orthodox Church. The personal property of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia is inherited in accordance with the law.

15. During the inter-patriarchy:

a) The Russian Orthodox Church is governed by the Holy Synod under the chairmanship of the Locum Tenens;

b) the name of the Locum Tenens is ascended during the divine services in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church;

c) The Locum Tenens perform the duties of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia as they are set forth in Article 7 of Chapter IV of this Charter, except for paragraphs c and h;

d) Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomensky enters into independent administration of the entire Moscow diocese.

16. Not later than six months after the liberation of the Patriarchal Throne, the Locum Tenens and the Holy Synod, in the manner prescribed by Article 2 of Chapter II of this Statute, shall convene a Local Council to elect a new Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

17. A candidate for Patriarchs must meet the following requirements:

a) be a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church;

b) have a higher theological education, sufficient experience in diocesan administration, be distinguished by adherence to the canonical legal order;

c) enjoy the good reputation and trust of hierarchs, clergy and people;

d) “have a good testimony from outsiders” (1 Tim. 3, 7);

e) be at least 40 years old.

Chapter V. Holy Synod

1. The Holy Synod, headed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens), is the governing body of the Russian Orthodox Church in the period between the Councils of Bishops.

2. The Holy Synod is responsible to the Council of Bishops and through the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia submits to him a report on its activities for the inter-Council period.

3. The Holy Synod consists of a chairman - the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens), nine permanent and five temporary members - diocesan bishops.

4. Permanent members are: in the department - Metropolitans of Kiev and All Ukraine; St. Petersburg and Ladoga; Krutitsky and Kolomensky; Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus; Chisinau and All Moldova; Astanaai and Kazakhstan, head of the Metropolitan District in the Republic of Kazakhstan; Tashkent and Uzbekistan, head of the Central Asian metropolitan district; ex officio - Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations and Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate.

5. Temporary members are summoned to attend one session, according to the seniority of the episcopal consecration, one from each group into which the dioceses are divided. The summons of a bishop to the Holy Synod cannot follow before the expiration of the two-year term of his administration of this diocese.

6. The synodal year is divided into two sessions: summer (March-August) and winter (September-February).

7. Diocesan bishops, heads of synodal institutions and rectors of theological academies may be present in the Holy Synod with the right of an advisory vote when considering matters relating to the dioceses, institutions, academies they govern or carrying out general church obedience.

8. The participation of permanent and temporary members of the Holy Synod in its meetings is their canonical duty. Members of the Synod who are absent without good reason are subject to fraternal admonition.

9. In exceptional cases, the quorum of the Holy Synod is 2/3 of its members.

10. Sessions of the Holy Synod are convened by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens). In the event of the death of the Patriarch, no later than on the third day, the Patriarchal Governor - Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna - convenes a meeting of the Holy Synod to elect the Locum Tenens.

11. As a rule, the sessions of the Holy Synod are closed. Members of the Holy Synod are seated according to the protocol adopted by the Russian Orthodox Church.

12. The Holy Synod works on the basis of the agenda presented by the chairman and approved by the Holy Synod at the beginning of the first meeting. Questions requiring preliminary study, the chairman directs in advance to the members of the Holy Synod. Members of the Holy Synod can make proposals on the agenda and raise issues with prior notification to the chairman.

13. The Chairman shall preside over the meetings in accordance with the adopted rules of procedure.

14. In the event that the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, for any reason, is temporarily unable to exercise presidential duties in the Holy Synod, the duties of the chairman shall be performed by the oldest permanent member of the Holy Synod by episcopal consecration. The temporary chairman of the Holy Synod is not a canonical Locum Tenens.

15. The secretary of the Holy Synod is the manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate. The secretary is responsible for preparing the materials necessary for the Holy Synod and compiling the journals of the meetings.

16. Matters in the Holy Synod are decided by the general consent of all members participating in the meeting or by a majority vote. In case of equality of votes, the vote of the chairman is decisive.

17. None of those present in the Holy Synod can abstain from voting.

18. Each of the members of the Holy Synod, in case of disagreement with the adopted decision, may submit a separate opinion, which must be announced at the same meeting, setting out his reasons and submitted in writing no later than three days from the date of the meeting. Separate opinions are attached to the case without stopping its decision.

19. The chairman does not have the right to remove from the discussion, obstruct their decision or suspend the implementation of such decisions by his authority.

20. In those cases when the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia recognizes that the decision taken will not bring any benefit and benefit to the Church, he declares a protest. The protest must be made at the same meeting and then set out in writing within seven days. After this period, the case is again considered by the Holy Synod. If the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia does not find it possible to agree with the new decision of the case, then it shall be suspended and submitted to the Council of Bishops for consideration. If it is impossible to postpone the case and a decision must be made immediately, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia acts at his own discretion. The decision taken in this way is submitted to the extraordinary Council of Bishops, on which the final resolution of the issue depends.

21. When the Holy Synod is considering a case on a complaint against members of the Holy Synod, the person concerned may be present at the meeting and give explanations, but when deciding the case, the accused member of the Holy Synod is obliged to leave the meeting room. When considering a complaint against the chairman, he delegates the presidency to the oldest hierarch of the episcopal consecration from among the permanent members of the Holy Synod.

22. All journals and resolutions of the Holy Synod are signed first by the chairman, then by all members present at the meeting, at least some of them did not agree with the decision and submitted a separate opinion about it.

23. The rulings of the Holy Synod come into force after they are signed and are not subject to revision, except for cases when new data are presented that change the essence of the matter.

24. The Chairman of the Holy Synod carries out the highest supervision over the exact execution of the adopted decisions.

25. The duties of the Holy Synod include:

a) care for the intact preservation and interpretation of the Orthodox faith, the norms of Christian morality and piety;

b) serving the inner unity of the Russian Orthodox Church;

c) maintaining unity with other Orthodox Churches;

d) the organization of the internal and external activities of the Church and the solution of issues of general church significance that arise in connection with this;

e) interpretation of canonical regulations and resolution of difficulties associated with their application;

f) regulation of liturgical issues;

g) issuance of disciplinary orders concerning clergy, monastics and church workers;

h) assessment of the most important events in the field of interchurch, interfaith and interreligious relations;

i) maintaining interfaith and interreligious ties, both in the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate and beyond;

j) coordination of the actions of the entire fullness of the Russian Orthodox Church in its efforts to achieve peace and justice;

k) expression of pastoral concern for social problems;

l) addressing special messages to all children of the Russian Orthodox Church;

m) maintaining proper relations between the Church and the state in accordance with this Charter and current legislation;

n) approval of the statutes of the Self-Governing Churches, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts;

o) the adoption of the civil statutes of the Russian Orthodox Church and its canonical divisions, as well as the introduction of amendments and additions to them;

p) consideration of the journals of the Synods of Exarchates, Metropolitan Districts;

c) resolving issues related to the establishment or abolition of canonical subdivisions of the Russian Orthodox Church accountable to the Holy Synod with subsequent approval at the Bishops' Council;

r) establishing the order of ownership, use and disposal of buildings and property of the Russian Orthodox Church;

s) approval of decisions of the General Church Court in the cases provided for by the Regulations on the Church Court.

26. Holy Synod:

a) elects, appoints, in exceptional cases displaces bishops and dismisses them to retire;

b) summons bishops to attend the Holy Synod;

c) if necessary, upon the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, examines the reports of the bishops on the state of the dioceses and makes decisions on them;

d) inspects through its members the activities of bishops whenever it deems it necessary;

e) determines the content of bishops.

27. The Holy Synod appoints:

a) heads of synodal institutions and, on their submission, their deputies;

b) rectors of theological academies and seminaries, abbots (abbesses) and abbots of monasteries;

c) bishops, clergy and laity for the passage of responsible obedience in the far abroad;

d) on the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, members of the Supreme Church Council from among the heads of synodal or other church-wide institutions, subdivisions of the Moscow Patriarchate;

e) on the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, members of the Inter-Council Presence.

The Holy Synod approves diocesan bishops in the position of holy archimandrites of especially significant monasteries, according to their submission.

28. The Holy Synod may create commissions or other working bodies to take care of:

a) on the solution of important theological problems related to the internal and external activities of the Church;

b) on the storage of the text of the Holy Scriptures, on its translations and publication;

c) on the storage of the text of liturgical books, on its correction, editing and publication;

d) about the canonization of saints;

e) on the publication of collections of holy canons, textbooks and teaching aids for theological educational institutions, theological literature, official periodicals and other necessary literature;

f) on improving the theological, spiritual and moral training of the clergy and on the activities of theological educational institutions;

g) about mission, catechesis and religious education;

h) about the state of spiritual enlightenment;

i) about the affairs of monasteries and monastics;

j) about deeds of mercy and charity;

k) the proper state of church architecture, icon painting, singing and applied arts;

l) about church monuments and antiquities under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church;

m) on the manufacture of church utensils, candles, vestments and everything necessary to maintain the liturgical tradition, grandeur and decency in churches;

n) on the provision of pensions for the clergy and church workers;

o) about solving economic problems.

29. Exercising leadership of the synodal institutions, the Holy Synod:

a) approves the regulations (charters) on their activities;

b) approves the annual work plans of the synodal institutions and accepts their reports;

c) makes decisions on the most important aspects of the current work of synodal institutions;

d) if necessary, carry out an audit of such institutions.

30. The Holy Synod approves the general church plan of expenditures, if necessary, considers the estimates of synodal institutions, theological educational institutions, as well as the corresponding financial reports.

31. In caring for dioceses, monasteries and theological educational institutions, the Holy Synod:

a) forms and abolishes Exarchates, Metropolitan districts, metropolises and dioceses, defines (changes) their boundaries and names with the subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops;

b) adopts model regulations on diocesan institutions;

c) approves the statutes of monasteries and exercises general supervision over monastic life;

d) establishes stavropegia;

e) on the recommendation of the Study Committee, approves standard charters and standard curricula for theological educational institutions, as well as standard programs for theological seminaries;

f) monitors that the actions of all organs of ecclesiastical authority in dioceses, deaneries and parishes comply with legal regulations;

g) conducts audits, if necessary.

32. The Holy Synod issues opinions on controversial issues arising in connection with the interpretation of this Charter.

1. The Supreme Church Council is the executive body of the Russian Orthodox Church, acting under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod. During the period of inter-patriarchy, the Supreme Church Council operates under the Locum Tenens and the Holy Synod.

2. The Supreme Church Council is subordinate and accountable to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens) and the Holy Synod.

3. The Supreme Church Council considers:

a) issues of theological education, enlightenment, mission, church social service, information activities of the canonical divisions of the Russian Orthodox Church and church media;

b) questions of the relationship of the Church with the state, society, Local Orthodox Churches, heterodox confessions and non-Christian religions;

c) issues of church administration and management;

d) other issues referred to the Supreme Church Council for consideration by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens).

4. The tasks of the Supreme Church Council include:

a) coordination of the activities of synodal and other church-wide institutions;

b) discussion of current issues of church life, requiring concerted action on the part of synodal and other church-wide institutions;

c) taking measures to fulfill the rulings of the Local and Bishops' Councils, decisions and rulings of the Holy Synod, decrees and orders of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens).

5. Supreme Church Council:

a) hears reports from the heads or representatives of synodal and other church-wide institutions on the activities of these institutions;

b) within the limits of his competence, gives instructions to the synodal institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church and supervises their implementation;

c) submits proposals for consideration by the Holy Synod or the Inter-Council Presence.

6. The Supreme Church Council consists of the chairman - the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens), members of the Supreme Church Council by office, as well as members appointed by the Holy Synod in the manner established by the Regulations on the Supreme Church Council.

7. The members of the Supreme Church Council ex officio are the heads of the synodal institutions listed in Article 6 of Chapter VIII of this Charter. If they leave their office, they cease to be members of the Supreme Church Council.

8. The Holy Synod may, upon the recommendation of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, appoint members of the Supreme Church Council from among the heads of subdivisions of the Moscow Patriarchate, synodal or other church-wide institutions. Members of the Supreme Church Council appointed by the Holy Synod may be removed from the Supreme Church Council on the basis of the decision of the Holy Synod on the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (Locum Tenens).

9. The procedure for the activity of the Supreme Church Council is determined by the Regulations on the Supreme Church Council, approved by the Holy Synod.

Chapter VII. Inter-Council Presence

1. In the periods between the holding of Local and Bishops' Councils, the Inter-Council Presence operates to prepare decisions concerning the most important issues of the internal life and external activities of the Russian Orthodox Church.

2. The tasks of the Inter-Council Presence include preliminary study of the issues considered by the Local Council, preparation of draft decisions on these issues, as well as, on behalf of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia or the Holy Synod, preparation of decisions of the Council of Bishops and the Holy Synod.

3. Members of the Inter-Council Presence are elected by the Holy Synod from among the bishops, clergy, monastics and laity of the Russian Orthodox Church.

4. The composition of the Inter-Council Presence is reviewed by the Holy Synod on the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia every four years. If necessary, the Holy Synod, upon the proposal of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, may decide to replace a member of the Inter-Council Presence.

5. Permanent members of the Holy Synod and members of the Supreme Church Council shall be members of the Inter-Council Presence ex officio. If they leave their post, they continue to participate in the activities of the Inter-Council Presence, unless otherwise decided by the Holy Synod.

6. The decision to include an issue on the agenda of the Inter-Council Presence is taken by the Local or Bishops' Council, the Holy Synod, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

7. The Inter-Council Presence carries out its activities in the manner determined by the Regulations on the Inter-Council Presence, which is approved by the Holy Synod.

Chapter VIII. Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions

1. The Moscow Patriarchate is an institution of the Russian Orthodox Church, uniting structures directly led by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

The Moscow Patriarchate is governed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

2. A synodal institution is an institution of the Russian Orthodox Church in charge of the range of general church affairs within its competence.

3. The Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions are the executive bodies of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod.

The Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions have the exclusive right to plenipotentiously represent the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod within the scope of their activities and within their competence.

4. Synodal institutions are created or abolished by decision of the Holy Synod and are accountable to them.

The regulations (statutes) of the Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions and amendments to them are approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia with the approval of the Holy Synod.

5. Synodal institutions are headed by persons appointed by the Holy Synod.

6. The synodal institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church are:

a) the Administration of Affairs, acting as part of the Moscow Patriarchate as a synodal institution;

b) Department for External Church Relations;

c) Publishing Council;

d) Study Committee;

e) Financial and economic management;

f) Department for Monasteries and Monasticism;

g) Department of Religious Education and Catechesis;

h) Department for Church Charity and Social Service;

i) Missionary department;

j) Department for Interaction with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies;

k) Department of Youth Affairs;

l) Department for Church Relations with Society and Mass Media;

m) Prison Ministry Department;

o) Committee for interaction with the Cossacks;

o) Patriarchal Council for Culture.

7. If necessary, other synodal institutions may be created.

8. Synodal institutions are coordinating bodies in relation to similar institutions operating in Self-Governing Churches, Exarchates, Metropolitan Districts and Dioceses, and as such have the right to apply, within their competence, to diocesan bishops and heads of other canonical divisions, send them their normative documents and request relevant information.

9. The activities of the synodal institutions are governed by the provisions (statutes) approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia with the approval of the Holy Synod.

Chapter IX. Ecclesiastical court

1. Judicial power in the Russian Orthodox Church is exercised by ecclesiastical courts through ecclesiastical legal proceedings.

2. The judicial system in the Russian Orthodox Church is established by the sacred canons, this Statute and the Regulations on the Church Court.

3. The unity of the judicial system of the Russian Orthodox Church is ensured by:

a) the observance by all church courts of the established rules of church legal proceedings;

b) recognition of the obligation for canonical subdivisions and all members of the Russian Orthodox Church to comply with judicial decisions that have entered into legal force.

4. Court in the Russian Orthodox Church is carried out by ecclesiastical courts of three instances:

a) diocesan courts having jurisdiction within their dioceses;

b) a general church court, with jurisdiction within the Russian Orthodox Church;

c) the highest court - the court of the Bishops' Council.

5. Canonical bans, such as a lifelong ban in the priesthood, ejection from dignity, excommunication from the Church, are imposed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia or the diocesan bishop with the subsequent approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine and Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church).

6. The procedure for empowering judges of ecclesiastical courts is established by the sacred canons, this Statute and the Regulations on the ecclesiastical court.

7. Lawsuits are accepted for consideration by the ecclesiastical court in the manner and under the conditions established by the Regulations on the ecclesiastical court.

8. The decisions of the church courts, which have entered into legal force, as well as their orders, demands, instructions, summons and other orders, are binding on all clergy and laity without exception.

9. The proceedings in all ecclesiastical courts are closed.

10. The Diocesan Court is the court of first instance.

11. Judges of diocesan courts may be clergy who have been empowered by the diocesan bishop to administer justice in the diocese entrusted to him.

The president of the court can be either a vicar bishop or a person in the priestly dignity. Members of the court must be persons in the priestly dignity.

12. The Diocesan Court is composed of at least five judges who hold the episcopal or priestly rank. The chairman, deputy chairman and secretary of the diocesan court shall be appointed by the diocesan bishop. The Diocesan Assembly elects, upon the recommendation of the Diocesan Bishop, at least two members of the Diocesan Court. The term of office of the diocesan court judges is three years, with the possibility of reappointment or re-election for a new term.

13. Early recall of the chairman or a member of the diocesan court is carried out by decision of the diocesan bishop.

14. Church proceedings are carried out in a court session with the participation of the chairman and at least two members of the court.

15. The jurisdiction and procedure for the proceedings of the diocesan court are determined by the Regulations on the ecclesiastical court.

16. The decisions of the Diocesan Court come into legal force and are subject to execution after their approval by the Diocesan Bishop, and in the cases provided for in Article 5 of this Chapter, from the moment of approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, by the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine and Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church).

17. Diocesan courts are funded from diocesan budgets.

18. The Church-wide Court considers as a court of first instance cases on ecclesiastical offenses of bishops and heads of synodal institutions. The Church-wide Court is a court of second instance in cases of ecclesiastical offenses of clergy, monastics and laity, subject to the jurisdiction of the diocesan courts.

19. The general church court consists of a chairman and at least four members of the hierarchical rank, who are elected by the Council of Bishops for a term of 4 years.

20. The early recall of the chairman or member of the general church court is carried out by a decision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod, with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.

21. The right to appoint an interim president or a member of the Church-wide court in the event of a vacancy arises belongs to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod.

22. The competence and procedure for the proceedings of the general church court are determined by the Regulations on the church court.

23. The decisions of the general church court are subject to execution after their approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod.

If the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod disagree with the decision of the General Church Court, the decision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod shall enter into force.

In this case, for a final decision, the case may be referred to the court of the Council of Bishops.

24. The general church court exercises judicial supervision over the activities of the diocesan courts in the procedural forms provided for by the Regulations on the Church Court.

25. The general church court is financed from the general church budget.

26. The Court of the Bishops' Council is the ecclesiastical court of the highest instance.

27. The court of the Council of Bishops, acting as part of the Local Council, is the first and last instance for dogmatic and canonical deviations in the activities of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

28. The Council of Bishops carries out legal proceedings in accordance with the Regulations on the Church Court.

29. Maintenance of the activities of church courts is carried out by the apparatus of these courts, which are subordinate to their presidents and act on the basis of the Regulations on the church court.

Chapter X. Autonomous Churches

1. The Autonomous Churches, which are part of the Moscow Patriarchate, carry out their activities on the basis and within the limits provided by the Patriarchal Tomos, issued in accordance with the decisions of the Local or Bishops' Council.

2. The decision on the formation or abolition of the Autonomous Church, as well as the determination of its territorial boundaries, is taken by the Local Council.

3. The organs of ecclesiastical authority and administration of the Autonomous Church are the Council and the Synod, headed by the Primate of the Autonomous Church in the rank of metropolitan or archbishop.

4. The Primate of the Autonomous Church is elected by its Council.

6. The Primate is the diocesan bishop of his diocese and heads the Autonomous Church on the basis of the canons, this Statute and the Statute of the Autonomous Church.

7. The name of the Primate is commemorated in all churches of the Autonomous Church after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

8. Bishops of the Autonomous Church are elected by its Synod.

9. Bishops of the Autonomous Church are members of the Local and Bishops' Councils and participate in their work in accordance with Sections II and III of this Statute and in meetings of the Holy Synod.

10. The decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils and the Holy Synod are binding on the Autonomous Church.

11. The general ecclesiastical court and the court of the Council of Bishops are ecclesiastical courts of higher jurisdiction for the Autonomous Church.

12. The Council of the Autonomous Church adopts the Statutes governing the administration of this Church on the basis and within the limits provided by the Patriarchal Tomos. The draft Statute of the Autonomous Church is subject to written agreement with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

13. The Council and Synod of the Autonomous Church operate within the boundaries determined by the Patriarchal Tomos, this Statute and the Statute governing the administration of the Autonomous Church.

14. The Autonomous Church receives holy chrism from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

15. Autonomous are:

Chinese Orthodox Church;

Japanese Orthodox Church.

Chapter XI. Self-governing Churches

1. Self-governing Churches that are part of the Moscow Patriarchate carry out their activities on the basis and within the limits provided by the Patriarchal Tomos, issued in accordance with the decisions of the Local or Bishops' Council.

2. The decision on the formation or abolition of the Self-governing Church, as well as the determination of its territorial boundaries, is taken by the Local Council.

3. The organs of ecclesiastical authority and administration of the Self-Governing Church are the Council and the Synod, headed by the Primate of the Self-Governing Church in the rank of metropolitan or archbishop.

4. The Primate of the Self-Governing Church is elected by the Council from among candidates approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod.

5. The Primate assumes office after approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

6. The Primate is the diocesan bishop of his diocese and heads the Self-governing Church on the basis of the canons, this Statute and the Statute of the Self-governing Church.

7. The name of the Primate is commemorated in all churches of the Self-Governing Church after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

8. Decisions on the formation or abolition of dioceses that are part of the Self-Governing Church and on the determination of their territorial boundaries are made by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod on the proposal of the Synod of the Self-Governing Church with subsequent approval by the Bishops' Council.

9. Bishops of the Self-Governing Church are elected by the Synod from candidates approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod.

10. Bishops of the Self-Governing Church are members of the Local and Bishops' Councils and participate in their work in accordance with Sections II and III of this Statute and in meetings of the Holy Synod.

11. The decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils and the Holy Synod are binding on the Self-governing Church.

12. The general ecclesiastical court and the court of the Council of Bishops are ecclesiastical courts of the highest instance for the Self-governing Church.

13. The Council of the Self-Governing Church adopts the Charter governing the administration of this Church on the basis and within the limits provided by the Patriarchal Tomos. The charter is subject to approval by the Holy Synod and confirmation by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

14. The Council and Synod of the Self-Governing Church act within the boundaries determined by the Patriarchal Tomos, this Charter and the Charter governing the administration of the Self-Governing Church.

15. The self-governing Church receives holy chrism from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

16. Self-governing are:

Latvian Orthodox Church;

Orthodox Church of Moldova;

Estonian Orthodox Church.

17. The self-governing part of the Russian Orthodox Church is the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the historical totality of its dioceses, parishes and other church institutions.

The provisions of this Statute are applied in it taking into account the Act of Canonical Communion of May 17, 2007, as well as the Regulations on the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, as amended and supplemented by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad on May 13, 2008.

18. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is self-governing with the rights of broad autonomy.

In her life and work, she is guided by the 1990 Tomos of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Charter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is approved by its Primate and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

Chapter XII. Exarchates

1. Dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church may be united in Exarchates. The basis of such an association is the national-regional principle.

2. Decisions on the creation or dissolution of Exarchates, as well as on their names and territorial boundaries, are taken by the Holy Synod with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.

3. The decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils and the Holy Synod are binding on the Exarchates.

4. The general church court and the court of the Council of Bishops are for the Exarchate the ecclesiastical courts of the highest instance.

5. The highest ecclesiastical authority in the Exarchate belongs to the Synod of the Exarchate under the chairmanship of the Exarch.

6. The Synod of the Exarchate adopts the Charter governing the administration of the Exarchate. The charter is subject to the approval of the Holy Synod and approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

7. The Synod of the Exarchate acts on the basis of the canons, this Charter and the Charter governing the administration of the Exarchate.

8. The journals of the Synod of the Exarchate are submitted to the Holy Synod and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

9. The Exarch is elected by the Holy Synod and appointed by the Patriarchal Decree.

10. The Exarch is the diocesan bishop of his diocese and heads the administration of the Exarchate on the basis of the canons, this Charter and the Charter governing the administration of the Exarchate.

11. The name of the Exarch is ascended in all churches of the Exarchate after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

12. Diocesan and vicar bishops of the Exarchate are elected and appointed by the Holy Synod on the proposal of the Synod of the Exarchate.

13. Decisions on the formation or abolition of dioceses that are part of the Exarchate and on the determination of their territorial boundaries are taken by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod on the proposal of the Synod of the Exarchate with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.

14. The Exarchate receives the Holy Myrrh from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

15. The Russian Orthodox Church currently has a Belarusian Exarchate located on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. “Belarusian Orthodox Church” is another official name of the Belarusian Exarchate.

Chapter XIII. Metropolitan districts

1. Dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church may be united into Metropolitan districts.

2. Decisions on the creation or abolition of Metropolitan districts, as well as on their name and territorial boundaries, are taken by the Holy Synod with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.

3. The decisions of the Local and Bishops' Councils and the Holy Synod are binding on the Metropolitan Districts.

4. The general church court and the court of the Council of Bishops are for the Metropolitan District the ecclesiastical courts of the highest instance.

5. The highest ecclesiastical authority in the Metropolitan District belongs to the Synod of the Metropolitan District, chaired by the head of the Metropolitan District. The Synod of the Metropolitan District consists of the diocesan and vicar bishops of the dioceses of the Metropolitan District.

6. The Synod of the Metropolitan District submits, at the discretion of the Holy Synod and the approval of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, a draft Statute of the Metropolitan District, if necessary - a draft internal regulation on the Metropolitan District, as well as drafts of subsequent amendments to these documents.

7. The District Synod submits, at the discretion of the Holy Synod and the approval of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, the draft Statutes of the dioceses of the Metropolitan District, parishes, monasteries, theological schools and other canonical divisions, as well as amendments (additions) to them.

8. The District Synod acts on the basis of the canons, this Charter, the Charter governing the administration of the Metropolitan District, and (or) the internal regulation on the Metropolitan District.

9. The journals of the Synod of the Metropolitan District are submitted to the Holy Synod and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

10. The Bishop, who heads the Metropolitan District, is elected by the Holy Synod and appointed by the Patriarchal Decree.

11. The Bishop, who heads the Metropolitan District, is the diocesan bishop of his diocese and heads the administration of the Metropolitan District on the basis of the canons, this Charter and the Charter governing the administration of the Metropolitan District.

12. The name of the bishop who heads the Metropolitan District is exalted in all churches of the Metropolitan District after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

13. Diocesan and vicar bishops of the Metropolitan District are elected and appointed by the Holy Synod.

14. Decisions on the formation or abolition of dioceses that are part of the Metropolitan District and on the determination of their territorial boundaries are taken by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod with subsequent approval by the Bishops' Council.

15. The Metropolitan District receives the Holy Myrrh from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

16. The Russian Orthodox Church currently has:

Metropolitan District in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

Central Asian Metropolitan District.

Chapter XIV. Metropolises

1. Two or more dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church may be united in metropolises.

2. Metropolises are formed in order to coordinate the liturgical, pastoral, missionary, spiritual and educational, educational, youth, social, charitable, publishing, informational activities of dioceses, as well as their interaction with society and government bodies.

3. Decisions on the creation or abolition of metropolises, on their names, boundaries, on the composition of the dioceses included in them are taken by the Holy Synod with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.

4. The dioceses that are part of the metropolitanates are in direct canonical subordination to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, the Holy Synod, and the Bishops' and Local Councils.

5. The higher authority for the diocesan church courts of dioceses that are part of the metropolitanate is the General Church Court.

6. As required, but at least twice a year, the Metropolitan Council is convened in the Metropolitanate, consisting of all the diocesan and vicar bishops of the Metropolitanate, as well as the Secretary of the Episcopal Council appointed by the head of the Metropolitanate.

The powers of the bishops' council, as well as the procedure for its activity, are determined by the Statute on the Metropolitanates, approved by the Holy Synod.

7. The vicar bishops of the dioceses of the metropolis participate in the bishops' council with the right of a decisive vote.

8. The head of the metropolitanate (metropolitan) is the diocesan bishop of one of the dioceses that make up the metropolitanate, and is appointed by the Holy Synod, receiving a decree from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

9. The name of the head of the metropolitanate (metropolitan) is ascended in all churches of the metropolitanate after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia:

within its diocese with the wording “Our Lord, Most Reverend (name), Metropolitan (title)” (in a short form: “Our Lord, Most Reverend Metropolitan (name)”);

within other dioceses with the wording “Mister Eminence (name), Metropolitan (title)” (in short form: “Mister Eminence Metropolitan (name)”).

10. The affairs of the metropolitanate are handled by the diocesan administration of the diocese, headed by the metropolitan.

11. The powers of the head of the metropolitanate (metropolitan) are determined by the Statute on the metropolitanates.

Chapter XV. Dioceses

1. The Russian Orthodox Church is divided into dioceses - local Churches headed by a bishop and uniting diocesan institutions, deaneries, parishes, monasteries, metochions, monastic sketes, spiritual educational institutions, brotherhoods, sisterhoods, missions.

2. Dioceses are established by decision of the Holy Synod, with subsequent approval by the Council of Bishops.

3. The boundaries of the dioceses are determined by the Holy Synod.

4. Each diocese has diocesan administration bodies operating within the limits determined by the canons and this Charter.

5. For the satisfaction of church needs in dioceses, the necessary institutions may be created, the activities of which are regulated by the provisions (statutes) approved by the Holy Synod.

1. Diocesan Bishop

6. The diocesan bishop, by succession of power from the holy apostles, is the primate of the local Church - the diocese, who canonically administer it with the conciliar assistance of the clergy and laity.

7. The Diocesan Bishop is elected by the Holy Synod, receiving a decree from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

8. As required, to help the diocesan bishop, the Holy Synod appoints vicar bishops with a range of duties determined by the Regulations on diocesan vicariates, or at the discretion of the diocesan bishop.

9. Bishops carry a title that includes the name of the cathedral city. Bishop titles are determined by the Holy Synod.

10. Candidates for bishops are elected at the age of at least 30 from among monastics or unmarried persons of the white clergy with the obligatory tonsure of monasticism. The elected candidate must correspond to the high rank of bishop in moral character and have a theological education.

11. Bishops enjoy full hierarchical authority in matters of doctrine, sacred rites and pastorship.

12. The diocesan bishop ordains and appoints clergy to their place of service, appoints all employees of diocesan institutions and blesses monastic tonsure.

13. A diocesan bishop has the right to admit clergy from other dioceses to the clergy of his diocese in the presence of letters of leave, as well as to release clergy to other dioceses, providing, at the request of the bishops, their personal files and letters of leave.

14. Without the consent of the diocesan bishop, not a single decision of the diocesan administration bodies can be implemented.

15. A diocesan bishop may address archpastoral epistles to the clergy and laity within his diocese.

16. It is the duty of the diocesan bishop to submit to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia an annual report in the established form on the religious, administrative, financial and economic state of the diocese and on his activities.

17. The Diocesan Bishop is the plenipotentiary representative of the Russian Orthodox Church before the relevant state authorities and local self-government bodies on issues related to the activities of the diocese.

18. Exercising the administration of the diocese, the bishop:

a) takes care of the preservation of faith, Christian morality and piety;

b) oversees the correct performance of divine services and the observance of church splendor;

c) is responsible for the implementation of the provisions of this Statute, decisions of Councils and the Holy Synod;

d) convene and preside over the diocesan assembly and the diocesan council;

e) if necessary, apply the right of veto to decisions of the diocesan assembly with the subsequent transfer of the relevant issue to the Holy Synod for consideration;

f) approves the civil statutes of parishes, monasteries, households and other canonical divisions that are part of the diocese;

g) in accordance with the canons, visits the parishes of his diocese and exercises control over their activities directly or through their authorized representatives;

h) has the highest commanding supervision over diocesan institutions and monasteries included in its diocese;

i) oversees the activities of the diocesan clergy;

j) appoints to office (dismisses) from office rectors, parish priests and other clergy;

k) submit for the approval of the Holy Synod candidates for the posts of rectors of theological educational institutions, abbots (abbesses) and abbots of monasteries of diocesan subordination and, on the basis of the decision of the Holy Synod, issues decrees on the appointment of these officials;

l) approves the composition of parish meetings;

m) partially or completely changes the composition of the parish meeting when members of the parish meeting deviate from the canonical rules and regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as when they violate the charter of the parish;

n) decides on the convocation of the parish meeting;

o) approve in office (dismiss) from office the chairmen of the audit commissions and treasurers of the parishes elected by the parish meeting;

p) remove from the membership of parish councils members of parish councils who violate the canonical norms and statutes of parishes;

c) approves financial and other reports of parish councils and parish audit commissions;

r) has the right to appoint (dismiss) from office the chairman of the parish council, the assistant rector (church elder) with the introduction of such members (removal from the membership) of the parish meeting and the parish council;

s) approves the minutes of parish meetings;

t) grants vacations to the clergy;

x) takes care of improving the spiritual and moral condition of the clergy and raising their educational level;

v) takes care of the training of clergy and clergymen, in connection with which he sends worthy candidates for admission to theological educational institutions;

w) monitors the state of church preaching;

w) petition the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to award worthy clergy and laity with appropriate awards and, in accordance with the established procedure, awards them himself;

y) gives a blessing for the establishment of new parishes;

e) gives a blessing for the construction and repair of churches, houses of prayer and chapels and takes care that their appearance and interior decoration correspond to the Orthodox church tradition;

y) consecrates temples;

i) takes care of the state of church singing, icon painting and applied church arts;

z1) petitioning the state authorities and administration for the return of churches and other buildings and structures intended for church purposes to the diocese;

z2) resolve issues related to the ownership, use and disposal of the property of the diocese;

z) manages the financial resources of the diocese, concludes contracts on its behalf, issues powers of attorney, opens accounts in banking institutions, has the right to first sign financial and other documents;

z4) exercises control over the religious, administrative and financial activities of parishes, monasteries, educational institutions and other divisions of the diocese;

z5) issues its own executive and administrative acts on all issues of the life and activities of the diocese;

z6) confirms the belonging to the headed diocese of all parishes, monasteries and other canonical divisions of the diocese located on its territory;

z7) cares directly or through the appropriate diocesan institutions:

about deeds of mercy and charity;

on providing parishes with everything necessary for the performance of divine services;

about meeting other church needs.

19. Observing the canonical order and church discipline, the diocesan bishop:

a) has the right of paternal influence and punishment in relation to clergy, including punishment by reprimand, removal from office and temporary ban in the clergy;

b) exhorts the laity, if necessary, in accordance with the canons, imposes bans on them or temporarily excommunicates them from church communion. Submits grave offenses to the ecclesiastical court;

c) approves the penalties of the ecclesiastical court and has the right to mitigate them;

d) in accordance with the canons, resolves issues that arise during the conclusion of church marriages and divorces.

20. The Dowager Diocese is temporarily governed by a bishop appointed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. During the period of widowhood of the episcopal see, no business is undertaken concerning the reorganization of diocesan life, and no changes are made in the work begun during the administration of the previous bishop.

21. In the event of the widowhood of the diocese, the transfer of the ruling bishop or his retirement, the diocesan council creates a commission that proceeds to revise the diocesan property and draws up an appropriate act for the transfer of the diocese to the newly appointed bishop.

22. Church property, which the bishop possessed by virtue of his position and office and which is in the official bishop's residence, after his death is entered into the inventory book of the diocese and transferred to it. The personal property of the deceased bishop is inherited in accordance with the laws in force.

23. The diocese cannot be a widow for more than forty days, except in special cases when there are sufficient grounds for extending widowhood.

24. Diocesan bishops are granted the right to excommunicate from their dioceses for valid reasons for a period of not more than 14 days, without first requesting permission from the highest church authority; for a longer period, the bishops ask for such permission in the prescribed manner.

26. Upon reaching the age of 75, the bishop submits a petition to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to retire. The question of the time for granting such a request is decided by the Holy Synod.

2. Diocesan vicariates

27. The diocesan vicariate is the canonical division of the diocese, uniting one or more deaneries of the diocese.

28. The Diocesan Bishop has supreme authority over the administration of the vicariate.

29. The vicar bishop is appointed to office (dismissed from office) on the proposal of the diocesan bishop by the decision of the Holy Synod.

The vicar bishop assists the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese. The powers of the vicar bishop administering the vicariate are determined by the Statute on diocesan vicariates approved by the Holy Synod, as well as by written or oral instructions of the diocesan bishop.

Vicar bishops who do not manage vicariates may also be appointed to assist the diocesan bishop. The powers of those are determined by written and oral instructions of the diocesan bishop.

30. The vicar bishop is ex officio a member of the diocesan council and the diocesan assembly of the diocese with the right to vote.

31. To carry out his activities, the vicar bishop:

a) convene a meeting of clergymen of the vicariate;

b) creates a council and a clerical service for the vicariate.

The assembly of clergymen of the vicariate and the council of the vicariate are advisory bodies under the vicar bishop.

32. The assembly of clergymen of the vicariate consists of clergymen from all canonical divisions of the vicariate.

The powers, as well as the procedure for the activities of the assembly of clergy of the vicariate, are determined by the Regulations on the diocesan vicariates.

The decisions of the assembly of clergymen of the vicariate come into force after their approval by the diocesan bishop.

33. The vicariate council includes:

a) vicar bishop;

b) deanery districts that are part of the vicariate;

c) the confessor of the vicariate;

d) one clergyman, elected for a term of three years by the assembly of clergymen of the vicariate from each deanery that is part of the vicariate;

e) no more than three clergymen at the discretion of the diocesan bishop.

The vicariate council is chaired by the vicar bishop. The secretary of the council of the vicariate is a member of the council of the vicariate who has been appointed to this position by order of the vicar bishop.

The composition of the vicariate council is approved by the diocesan bishop.

The powers, as well as the procedure for the activity of the vicariate council, are determined by the Regulations on the diocesan vicariates.

The decisions of the vicariate council come into force after their approval by the diocesan bishop.

34. Under the vicariate, a secretariat may function, the employees of which are appointed by the order of the vicar bishop.

35. The head of the vicariate's secretariat is subordinate to the vicar bishop and is appointed by him to office.

3. Diocesan Assembly

36. The diocesan assembly, headed by the diocesan bishop, is the governing body of the diocese and consists of clergy, monastics and laity living in the territory of the diocese and representing the canonical divisions that make up the diocese.

37. The diocesan assembly is convened by the diocesan bishop at his discretion, but at least once a year, as well as by decision of the diocesan council or at the request of at least 1/3 of the members of the previous diocesan assembly.

The procedure for convening members of the diocesan assembly is established by the diocesan council.

The vicar bishops are ex officio members of the diocesan assembly with the right to vote.

38. Diocesan Assembly:

a) elect delegates to the Local Council;

b) elects members of the diocesan council and the diocesan court;

c) creates the necessary diocesan institutions and takes care of their financial support;

d) develops general diocesan rules and regulations in accordance with conciliar decrees and decisions of the Holy Synod;

e) oversees the course of diocesan life;

f) hears reports on the state of the diocese, on the work of diocesan institutions, on the life of monasteries and other canonical divisions that make up the diocese, and makes decisions on them;

g) considers annual reports on the activities of the diocesan council.

39. The chairman of the diocesan assembly is the diocesan bishop. The Diocesan Assembly elects a deputy chairman and a secretary. The deputy chairman may preside over the meeting as directed by the chairman. The secretary is responsible for preparing the journals for the meetings of the diocesan assembly.

40. The quorum of the meeting is a majority (more than half) of the members. Decisions are taken by majority vote. In case of equality of votes, the vote of the chairman is decisive.

41. The Diocesan Assembly works in accordance with the adopted regulations.

42. The journals of the diocesan assembly meetings are signed by the chairman, his deputy, the secretary and two members of the assembly elected for this.

43. The Diocesan Council, headed by the Diocesan Bishop, is the governing body of the Diocese.

The diocesan council is formed with the blessing of the diocesan bishop and consists of at least four persons in the priesthood, half of whom are appointed by the bishop, and the rest are elected by the diocesan assembly for three years.

The vicar bishops are ex officio members of the Diocesan Council with the right to vote.

44. In the event of violations by members of the diocesan council of the doctrinal, canonical or moral norms of the Orthodox Church, as well as in the event of their being under the ecclesiastical court or investigation, they are removed from their office by the decision of the diocesan bishop.

45. The chairman of the diocesan council is the diocesan bishop.

46. ​​The Diocesan Council meets regularly, but at least once every six months.

47. The quorum of the Diocesan Council is the majority of its members.

48. The Diocesan Council works on the basis of the agenda presented by the chairman.

49. The Chairman shall preside over the meeting in accordance with the adopted rules of procedure.

50. The bishop appoints the secretary of the diocesan council from among its members. The secretary is responsible for preparing the materials necessary for the council and compiling the meeting journals.

51. If disagreements arise during the examination of the case, the case shall be decided by a majority vote; in case of equality of votes, the vote of the chairman is decisive.

52. The journals of the diocesan council meetings are signed by all of its members.

53. The Diocesan Council, in accordance with the instructions of the Diocesan Bishop:

a) implements the decisions of the diocesan assembly related to the jurisdiction of the council, reports to it on the work done;

b) establishes the procedure for the election of members of the diocesan assembly;

c) prepares meetings of the diocesan assembly, including proposals for the agenda;

d) submits its annual reports to the diocesan assembly;

e) considers issues related to the opening of parishes, deaneries, monasteries, objects of production and economic activity, governing bodies and other divisions of the diocese;

f) takes care of finding funds to meet the material needs of the diocese, and, if necessary, parishes;

g) defines the boundaries of deaneries and parishes;

h) examines the reports of the deans and makes appropriate decisions on them;

i) oversees the activities of parish councils;

j) considers plans for the construction, major repairs and restoration of churches;

k) keep records and take measures for the preservation of the property of the canonical divisions of the diocese, including the buildings of churches, houses of prayer, chapels, monasteries, religious educational institutions;

l) within the limits of its competence, resolve issues related to the ownership, use and disposal of the property of parishes, monasteries and other canonical divisions of the diocese; immovable property of the canonical divisions of the diocese, namely buildings, structures, land plots, may be alienated only on the basis of a decision of the diocesan council;

m) carry out audits of diocesan institutions;

n) takes care of providing for supernumerary clergy and church workers;

o) discusses preparations for anniversaries, general diocesan celebrations and other important events;

p) decides any other matters that the diocesan bishop directs to the diocesan council for their solution or for study in order to present him with the necessary recommendations;

c) considers issues of liturgical practice and church discipline.

5. Diocesan administrations and other diocesan institutions

54. The diocesan administration is the executive body of the diocese under the direct supervision of the diocesan bishop and called, together with other diocesan institutions, to assist the bishop in exercising his executive power.

55. The Bishop exercises the highest commanding supervision over the work of the diocesan administration and all diocesan institutions and appoints their employees in accordance with the staffing table.

56. The activities of diocesan administrations, as well as other diocesan institutions, are governed by the provisions (statutes) approved by the Holy Synod and bishop orders.

57. Each diocesan administration must have an office, accounting, archives and the required number of other departments providing missionary, publishing, social and charitable, educational, restoration and construction, economic and other types of diocesan activities.

58. The secretary of the diocesan administration is responsible for the administration of the diocese and, within the limits determined by the diocesan bishop, assists him in the administration of the diocese and in the leadership of the diocesan administration.

6. Deanery

59. The diocese is divided into deanery districts, headed by deaneries appointed by the diocesan bishop.

60. The boundaries of deaneries and their names are determined by the diocesan council.

61. The duties of the dean include:

a) concern for the purity of the Orthodox faith and a worthy church-moral education of believers;

b) supervision over the correct and regular administration of divine services, over the grandeur and decency in churches, over the state of church preaching;

c) taking care of the execution of the decisions and instructions of the diocesan authority;

d) care for the timely receipt of parish contributions to the diocese;

e) giving advice to clergymen both regarding the performance of their duties and regarding their personal life;

f) elimination of misunderstandings between the clergy, as well as between the clergy and laity without formal legal proceedings and with a report on the most significant incidents to the ruling bishop;

g) preliminary investigation of ecclesiastical offenses at the direction of the diocesan bishop;

h) a petition to the bishop for rewarding clergy and laity worthy of encouragement;

i) making proposals to the ruling bishop on filling the vacant posts of priests, deacons, psalmists and regents;

j) taking care of meeting the religious needs of believers in parishes temporarily without clergy;

k) supervising the construction and repair of church buildings within the deanery;

l) taking care of the availability at the churches of everything necessary for the correct performance of divine services and normal parish office work;

m) fulfillment of other duties assigned to him by the bishop.

62. In carrying out his duties, the Dean at least once a year visits all the parishes of his district, checking the liturgical life, the internal and external condition of churches and other church buildings, as well as the correctness of parish affairs and church archives, getting acquainted with the religious the moral state of believers.

63. At the direction of the diocesan bishop, at the request of the rector, parish council or parish meeting, the dean may hold meetings of the parish meeting.

64. With the blessing of the diocesan bishop, the dean may call priests to fraternal meetings to consider the church needs common to the deanery.

65. Every year the dean presents to the diocesan bishop a report on the state of the deanery and on his work in the prescribed form.

66. Under the dean, there may be an office, the employees of which are appointed by the dean with the consent of the diocesan bishop.

67. The activity of the dean is financed from the funds of the parish headed by him, and, if necessary, from the general diocesan funds.

Chapter XVI. Parishes

1. A parish is a community of Orthodox Christians, consisting of clergy and laity, united at the church.

The parish is a canonical subdivision of the Russian Orthodox Church, it is under the commanding supervision of its diocesan bishop and under the leadership of the priest-rector appointed by him.

2. A parish is formed by the free consent of believers of citizens of the Orthodox faith who have reached the age of majority, with the blessing of the diocesan bishop. To obtain the status of a legal entity, a parish is registered by state authorities in the manner determined by the legislation of the country where the parish is located. The boundaries of the parishes are established by the diocesan council.

3. The parish begins its activities after the blessing of the diocesan bishop.

4. A parish in its civil legal activities is obliged to observe the canonical rules, the internal regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church and the legislation of the country of residence.

5. The parish shall obligatorily allocate funds through the diocese for general church needs in the amount established by the Holy Synod, and for diocesan needs in the manner and amount established by the diocesan authorities.

6. A parish in its religious, administrative, financial and economic activities is subordinate and accountable to the diocesan bishop. The parish implements the decisions of the diocesan assembly and the diocesan council and the orders of the diocesan bishop.

7. In the event of the separation of any part or the withdrawal of all members of the parish assembly from the parish, they cannot claim any rights to the parish property and funds.

8. If the parish meeting decides to withdraw from the hierarchical structure and jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, the parish is deprived of confirmation of belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, which entails the termination of the parish's activities as a religious organization of the Russian Orthodox Church and deprives it of the right to property that belonged to the parish as property, use or on any other legal basis, as well as the right to use the name and symbols of the Russian Orthodox Church in the name.

9. Parish churches, houses of worship and chapels are built with the blessing of the diocesan authorities and in compliance with the procedure established by law.

10. The administration of the parish is exercised by the diocesan bishop, rector, parish meeting, parish council, chairman of the parish council.

The Diocesan Bishop belongs to the supreme administration of the parish.

The body of control over the activities of the parish is the audit commission.

11. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods are created by parishioners only with the consent of the rector and with the blessing of the diocesan bishop. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods aim to attract parishioners to participate in the cares and works of maintaining churches in proper condition, to charity, mercy, religious and moral education and upbringing. Fraternities and sisterhoods in parishes are under the supervision of the superior. In exceptional cases, the charter of a brotherhood or sisterhood, approved by the diocesan bishop, may be submitted for state registration.

12. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods begin their activities after the blessing of the diocesan bishop.

13. In carrying out their activities, brotherhoods and sisterhoods are guided by this Statute, decisions of Local and Bishops' Councils, decisions of the Holy Synod, decrees of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, decisions of the diocesan bishop and rector of a parish, as well as civil statutes of the Russian Orthodox Church, diocese, parish, which they are created, and by their own statutes, if fraternities and sisterhoods are registered as a legal entity.

14. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods allocate funds through parishes for general church needs in the amount established by the Holy Synod, for diocesan and parish needs in the manner and amount established by the diocesan authorities and parish rectors.

15. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods in their religious, administrative, financial and economic activities through parish rectors are subordinate and accountable to diocesan bishops. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods carry out the decisions of the diocesan authorities and parish rectors.

16. In the event of the separation of any part or the withdrawal of all members of the fraternity and sisterhood from their composition, they cannot claim any rights to fraternal and sister property and funds.

17. If the general meeting of the brotherhood and sisterhood decides to withdraw from the hierarchical structure and jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, the brotherhood and sisterhood are deprived of confirmation of belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, which entails the termination of the activities of the brotherhood and sisterhood as a religious organization of the Russian Orthodox Church and deprives them the right to property that belonged to the brotherhood or sisterhood on the basis of ownership, use or other legal basis, as well as the right to use the name and symbols of the Russian Orthodox Church in the name.

1. Abbot

18. At the head of each parish is the rector of the church, appointed by the diocesan bishop for the spiritual guidance of the believers and management of the parish and parish. In his activities, the rector is accountable to the diocesan bishop.

19. The rector is called to bear responsibility for the proper performance of services in accordance with the Church Statutes, for the church sermon, the religious and moral state and the appropriate upbringing of the members of the parish. He must conscientiously fulfill all liturgical, pastoral and administrative duties determined by his office, in accordance with the provisions of the canons and this Charter.

20. The duties of the prior, in particular, include:

a) leadership of the clergy in the performance of his liturgical and pastoral duties;

b) monitoring the condition of the church, its decoration and the availability of everything necessary for the performance of services in accordance with the requirements of the liturgical charter and the instructions of the hierarchy;

c) caring for correct and reverent reading and singing in the temple;

d) taking care of the exact fulfillment of the instructions of the diocesan bishop;

e) organization of catechetical, charitable, church-social, educational and educational activities of the parish;

f) calling and presiding over meetings of the parish meeting;

g) if there are grounds for that, the suspension of the execution of decisions of the parish meeting and the parish council on issues of a doctrinal, canonical, liturgical or administrative-economic nature, with the subsequent transfer of this issue to the diocesan bishop for consideration;

h) overseeing the implementation of decisions of the parish meeting and the work of the parish council;

i) representing the interests of the parish in state and local government bodies;

j) submission directly to the diocesan bishop or through the dean of the annual reports on the state of the parish, on the activities carried out in the parish and on his work;

k) the implementation of official church correspondence;

l) keeping a liturgical journal and keeping the parish archive;

m) issuance of baptism and marriage certificates.

21. The rector may receive leave and leave his parish for a while only with the permission of the diocesan authority, received in accordance with the established procedure.

2. Divine

22. The parish clerk is determined as follows: priest, deacon and psalmist. The number of members of the clergy can be increased or reduced by the diocesan authority at the request of the parish and in accordance with its needs, in any case, the clergy must consist of at least two persons - a priest and a psalmist.

Note: the position of the psalmist can be replaced by a person in the priesthood.

23. The election and appointment of clergy and clergymen belongs to the diocesan bishop.

24. To be ordained a deacon or priest it is necessary:

a) be a member of the Russian Orthodox Church;

b) be of legal age;

c) have the necessary moral qualities;

d) have sufficient theological training;

e) have a confessor's certificate that there are no canonical obstacles to ordination;

f) not be under an ecclesiastical or civil court;

g) take the church oath.

25. Members of the clergy may be relocated and dismissed from their positions by the diocesan bishop by personal request, by ecclesiastical court or ecclesiastical expediency.

26. The duties of the members of the clergy are determined by the canons and orders of the diocesan bishop or abbot.

27. The parish clerk is responsible for the spiritual and moral state of the parish and for the fulfillment of his liturgical and pastoral duties.

28. Members of the clergy may not leave the parish without the permission of the church authority, which is received in accordance with the established procedure.

29. A clergyman may take part in the celebration of a divine service in another parish with the consent of the diocesan bishop of the diocese in which this parish is located, or with the consent of the dean or rector, if he has a certificate confirming canonical legal capacity.

30. In accordance with Canon 13 of the IV Ecumenical Council, clergymen can be admitted to another diocese only if they have a letter of leave from the diocesan bishop.

3. Parishioners

31. Parishioners are persons of the Orthodox faith who maintain a lively connection with their parish.

32. Each parishioner has a duty to participate in the divine service, to regularly confess and receive communion, to observe the canons and church precepts, to perform deeds of faith, to strive for religious and moral improvement and to contribute to the welfare of the parish.

33. It is the responsibility of the parishioners to take care of the material maintenance of the clergy and the church.

4. Parish meeting

34. The governing body of the parish is the parish meeting, headed by the rector of the parish, who is, by virtue of his position, the chairman of the parish meeting.

The parish assembly includes the clergy of the parish, as well as parishioners who regularly participate in the liturgical life of the parish, who are worthy of their commitment to Orthodoxy, moral character and life experience to participate in the decision of parish affairs, who have reached the age of 18 and are not banned, as well as not held accountable by an ecclesiastical or secular court.

35. Admission to membership in the parish meeting and withdrawal from it is carried out on the basis of a petition (statement) by the decision of the parish meeting. If a member of the parish meeting is recognized as not corresponding to his position, he may be removed from the parish meeting by the decision of the latter.

If members of the parish meeting deviate from the canons, this Statute and other regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as if they violate the statute of the parish, the composition of the parish meeting may be changed in whole or in part by the decision of the diocesan bishop.

36. The parish meeting is convened by the rector or, by order of the diocesan bishop, by the dean, or other plenipotentiary representative of the diocesan bishop at least once a year.

Parish meetings dedicated to the election and re-election of members of the parish council are held with the participation of a dean or other representative of the diocesan bishop.

37. The meeting is held in accordance with the agenda presented by the chairman.

38. The Chairman shall preside over the meetings in accordance with the adopted rules of procedure.

39. The parish meeting is competent to make decisions with the participation of at least half of the members. The decisions of the parish meeting are adopted by a simple majority vote, in case of equality of votes, the vote of the chairman is decisive.

40. The parish meeting elects from among its members a secretary responsible for drawing up the minutes of the meeting.

41. The minutes of the parish meeting are signed by: the chairman, the secretary and five elected members of the parish meeting. The minutes of the parish meeting are approved by the diocesan bishop, after which the decisions taken come into force.

42. The decisions of the parish meeting can be announced to the parishioners in the church.

43. The duties of the parish meeting include:

a) preserving the inner unity of the parish and promoting its spiritual and moral growth;

b) the adoption of the civil Charter of the parish, amendments and additions to it, which are approved by the diocesan bishop and come into force from the moment of state registration;

c) admitting and expelling members of the parish meeting;

d) election of the parish council and the audit commission;

e) planning the financial and economic activities of the parish;

f) ensuring the safety of church property and taking care of its augmentation;

g) adoption of plans of expenditures, including the amount of deductions for charity and religious and educational purposes, and their submission for approval by the diocesan bishop;

h) approval of plans and consideration of design estimates for the construction and repair of church buildings;

i) consideration and submission for approval by the diocesan bishop of financial and other reports of the parish council and reports of the audit commission;

j) approval of the staffing table and determination of the content of members of the clergy and parish council;

k) determining the procedure for disposing of the parish property on the terms determined by this Charter, the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church (civil), the charter of the diocese, the charter of the parish, as well as current legislation;

l) taking care of the availability of everything necessary for the canonical administration of the divine service;

m) concern for the state of church singing;

n) initiation of parish petitions before the diocesan bishop and civil authorities;

o) consideration of complaints against members of the parish council, the audit commission and their presentation to the diocesan administration.

44. The parish council is the executive body of the parish and is accountable to the parish assembly.

45. The parish council consists of a chairman, an assistant rector and a treasurer.

46. ​​Parish council:

a) implements the decisions of the parish meeting;

b) submit for consideration and approval of the parish meeting plans of economic activities, annual plans of expenditures and financial statements;

c) is responsible for the preservation and maintenance in proper order of temple buildings, other structures, structures, premises and adjacent territories belonging to the parish of land plots and all property owned or used by the parish, and keeps records of it;

d) acquires property necessary for the arrival, keeps inventory books;

e) solves current economic issues;

f) provides the parish with the necessary property;

g) provides housing to members of the parish clergy in those cases when they need it;

h) takes care of the protection and beauty of the church, the maintenance of deanery and order during divine services and religious processions;

i) takes care of providing the church with everything necessary for the splendid performance of divine services.

47. Members of the parish council may be removed from the parish council by decision of the parish meeting or by order of the diocesan bishop, if there are due grounds.

48. The chairman of the parish council, without a power of attorney, exercises the following powers on behalf of the parish:

issues orders (orders) on the employment (dismissal) of workers of the parish; concludes labor and civil law contracts with parish employees, as well as agreements on material liability (the chairman of the parish council, who is not a rector, exercises these powers in agreement with the rector);

disposes of the property and funds of the parish, including concluding relevant agreements on behalf of the parish and concluding other transactions in the manner prescribed by this Charter;

represents the parish in court;

has the right to issue powers of attorney to exercise the powers provided for by this Article of the Charter on behalf of the parish, as well as to maintain contacts with state bodies, local self-government bodies, citizens and organizations in connection with the exercise of these powers.

49. The abbot is the chairman of the parish council.

The Diocesan Bishop has the right, by his sole decision:

a) dismiss, at his own discretion, the rector from the post of chairman of the parish council;

b) to appoint to the position of the chairman of the parish council (for a period of three years with the right to appoint for a new term without limiting the number of such appointments) an assistant rector (church elder) or another person, including a parish cleric, with his introduction into the parish meeting and parish advice.

The Diocesan Bishop has the right to remove a member of the parish council from work if he violates the canons, provisions of this Charter or the civil charter of the parish.

50. All documents officially issued by the parish are signed by the rector and (or) the chairman of the parish council within their competence.

51. Banking and other financial documents are signed by the chairman of the parish council and the treasurer. In civil relations, the treasurer acts as the chief accountant. The treasurer keeps track of and stores funds, donations and other receipts, prepares an annual financial report. The parish keeps accounting records.

52. In the event of re-election by the parish meeting or change by the diocesan bishop of the composition of the parish council, as well as in the event of re-election, dismissal by the diocesan bishop or death of the chairman of the parish council, the parish meeting shall form a commission of three members, which draws up an act on the availability of property and funds. The parish council accepts material assets on the basis of this act.

53. The duties of the assistant to the chairman of the parish council are determined by the parish meeting.

54. The duties of the treasurer include accounting and storage of monetary amounts and other donations, maintaining income and expense books, performing financial transactions within the budget on the instructions of the chairman of the parish council and drawing up an annual financial report.

6. Revision Commission

55. The parish assembly shall elect from among its members a parish audit committee, consisting of a chairman and two members, for a period of three years. The audit committee is accountable to the parish meeting. The Audit Commission checks the financial and economic activities of the parish, the preservation and accounting of property, its use for its intended purpose, conducts an annual inventory, audits the enrollment of donations and receipts and the expenditure of funds. The audit committee submits the results of the checks and the corresponding proposals for consideration by the parish meeting.

In the event of abuse, the Audit Commission immediately informs the diocesan authorities. The Auditing Commission has the right to send the inspection report directly to the diocesan bishop.

56. The right to audit the financial and economic activities of the parish and parish institutions also belongs to the diocesan bishop.

57. Members of the parish council and the audit committee cannot be closely related.

58. The duties of the audit commission include:

a) regular audit, including checking the availability of funds, the legality and correctness of the expenses incurred and the keeping of the expense books by the receipt;

b) conducting, as necessary, checking the financial and economic activities of the parish, the safety and accounting of the property belonging to the parish;

c) annual inventory of the parish property;

d) control over the withdrawal of mugs and donations.

59. The Audit Commission draws up acts on the inspections carried out and submits them to a regular or extraordinary meeting of the parish meeting. In the presence of abuse, lack of property or funds, as well as if errors are found in the conduct and execution of financial transactions, the parish meeting makes an appropriate decision. It has the right to bring a claim in court, having previously received the consent of the diocesan bishop.

Chapter XVII. Monasteries

1. A monastery is a church institution in which a male or female community lives and operates, consisting of Orthodox Christians who voluntarily chose the monastic way of life for spiritual and moral improvement and joint confession of the Orthodox faith.

2. The decision on the opening (abolition) of monasteries belongs to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod on the proposal of the diocesan bishop.

In accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of the respective country, the monastery can be registered as a legal entity.

3. Stavropegic monasteries are proclaimed by the decision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod in compliance with the canonical procedure.

4. Stavropegic monasteries are under the commanding supervision and canonical administration of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia or those synodal institutions to which the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia will bless such supervision and administration.

Stavropegic monasteries, on the basis of the decision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod, may have attached monasteries. The activities of a monastery assigned to a stavropegic monastery are regulated by the charter of the stauropegic monastery to which this monastery is assigned, and by its own civil charter.

Monasteries assigned to stavropegic monasteries are under the commanding supervision and canonical administration of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia or those synodal institutions to which the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia will bless such supervision and administration.

5. Diocesan monasteries are under the supervision and canonical administration of diocesan bishops.

On the basis of the determination of the Holy Synod, a diocesan bishop can be appointed as a sacred archimandrite of historically significant or major monasteries of the diocese.

Abbots of diocesan monasteries, of which the diocesan bishop is the holy archimandrite, are called abbots, and at the same time they are elevated to the rank of abbots in accordance with the established order of rank.

6. In the event that one, several or all of the inhabitants of the monastery leave its structure, they have no right and cannot make any claims to the property and funds of the monastery.

7. Enrollment in the monastery and dismissal from the monastery is made by the orders of the diocesan bishop on the proposal of the hegumen (abbess) or governor.

8. Monasteries are governed and live in accordance with the provisions of this Charter, the Civil Charter, the Regulations for Monasteries and Monastics and their own charter, which must be approved by the diocesan bishop.

9. Monasteries can have courtyards. A compound is a community of Orthodox Christians run by the monastery and outside of it. The activities of the courtyard are regulated by the charter of the monastery to which this courtyard belongs, and by its own civil charter. The courtyard is under the jurisdiction of the same bishop as the monastery. If the courtyard is located on the territory of another diocese, then both the name of the diocesan bishop and the name of the bishop, on the territory of the diocese of which the courtyard is located, are ascended during the service in the church of the courtyard.

10. If the monastery makes a decision to withdraw from the hierarchical structure and jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, the monastery is deprived of confirmation of belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, which entails the termination of the monastery's activities as a religious organization of the Russian Orthodox Church and deprives it of the right to property that belonged to the monastery in property rights, use rights or on other legal grounds, as well as the right to use the name and symbols of the Russian Orthodox Church in the name.

Chapter XVIII. Spiritual educational institutions

1. Theological educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church are higher and secondary specialized educational institutions that train clergy and clergymen, theologians and church workers.

2. Theological educational institutions are under the commanding supervision of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, carried out through the Educational Committee.

3. Canonically, theological educational institutions fall under the jurisdiction of the diocesan bishop in whose diocese they are located.

4. Theological educational institutions are established by the decision of the Holy Synod on the proposal of the diocesan bishop, supported by the Educational Committee.

5. The spiritual educational institution is managed and carries out its activities on the basis of this Statute, civil and internal statutes approved by the Holy Synod and approved by the diocesan bishop.

6. If a theological educational institution makes a decision to withdraw from the hierarchical structure and jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, the theological educational institution is deprived of confirmation of belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, which entails the termination of the activity of the theological educational institution as a religious organization of the Russian Orthodox Church and deprives it of the right to property that belonged to a religious educational institution on the basis of property rights, use rights or on other legal grounds, as well as the right to use the name and symbols of the Russian Orthodox Church in the name.

Chapter XIX. Church institutions in the far abroad

1. Church institutions in the far abroad (hereinafter referred to as “foreign institutions”) are dioceses, deaneries, parishes, stauropegic and diocesan monasteries, as well as missions, representations and farmsteads of the Russian Orthodox Church located outside the CIS and Baltic countries.

2. The supreme ecclesiastical authority exercises its jurisdiction over these institutions in the manner determined by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod.

3. Foreign institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church in their management and activities are guided by this charter and their own charters, which must be approved by the Holy Synod, respecting the laws existing in each country.

4. Foreign institutions are created and abolished by the decision of the Holy Synod. Representative offices and farmsteads located abroad are stavropegia.

5. Foreign institutions carry out their ministry in accordance with the goals and objectives of the external activities of the Russian Orthodox Church.

6. The heads and responsible employees of foreign institutions are appointed by the Holy Synod.

Chapter XX. Property and funds

1. The funds of the Russian Orthodox Church and its canonical subdivisions are formed from:

a) donations for the performance of divine services, Sacraments, requirements and rituals;

b) voluntary donations from individuals and legal entities, state, public and other enterprises, institutions, organizations and foundations;

c) donations when distributing items of Orthodox religious significance and Orthodox religious literature (books, magazines, newspapers, audio and video recordings, etc.), as well as from the sale of such items;

d) income received from the activities of institutions and enterprises of the Russian Orthodox Church, directed to the statutory goals of the Russian Orthodox Church;

e) deductions from synodal institutions, dioceses, diocesan institutions, missions, households, representations, as well as parishes, monasteries, brotherhoods, sisterhoods, their institutions, organizations, etc .;

f) deductions from the profits of enterprises established by the canonical subdivisions of the Russian Orthodox Church independently or jointly with other legal entities or individuals;

g) other income not prohibited by law, including income from securities and deposits placed on deposit accounts.

2. The general church plan of expenditures is formed at the expense of funds allocated by dioceses, stauropegic monasteries, parishes of the city of Moscow, as well as funds received for targeted purposes from the sources referred to in Article 1 of this Chapter.

3. The administrator of the general church financial resources is the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod.

4. The Russian Orthodox Church may own buildings, land plots, industrial, social, charitable, cultural, educational and other purposes, religious items, monetary funds and other property necessary to ensure the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church, including attributed to monuments of history and culture, or to receive such for use on other legal grounds from state, municipal, public and other organizations and citizens in accordance with the legislation of the country where this property is located.

The Russian Orthodox Church has its own movable and immovable property in the far abroad.

5. Property belonging to the canonical subdivisions of the Russian Orthodox Church on the basis of property rights, use rights or on other legal grounds, including religious buildings, monastery buildings, general church and diocesan institutions, theological educational institutions, general church libraries, general church and diocesan archives, other buildings and buildings, land plots, objects of religious veneration, social, charitable, cultural, educational and economic objects, funds, literature, other property acquired or created at their own expense, donated by individuals and legal entities, enterprises, institutions and organizations, and also transferred by the state and acquired on other legal grounds, is the property of the Russian Orthodox Church.

6. The procedure for the possession, use and disposal of property belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church on the basis of property rights, use rights and on other legal grounds is determined by this Charter, the rules approved by the Holy Synod, and the Regulations on Church Property.

7. The right to dispose of the property of the Russian Orthodox Church belongs to the Holy Synod.

The possession and use of the said property is carried out by canonical subdivisions on the basis of canonical, legal and material accountability to the higher canonical subdivision of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Holy Synod delegates the right to partially dispose of this property, with the exception of religious buildings, buildings of monasteries, diocesan institutions, religious educational institutions, general church, diocesan and other archives, general church libraries, and objects of religious veneration of historical significance, to the canonical divisions that own this property and use it on the basis of accountability to the corresponding superior canonical subdivision of the Russian Orthodox Church.

8. Autonomous and Self-governing Churches, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts use for their needs land plots, buildings, including places of worship, industrial, social, charitable, cultural and educational and other purposes, including those classified as monuments of history and culture, as well as any other property necessary for them to ensure their activities, provided by state, municipal, public and other organizations and citizens, in accordance with the legislation of the country where the Autonomous and Self-governing Church, Exarchate and Metropolitan District are located, or they own it.

9. Autonomous and Self-governing Churches, Exarchates and Metropolitan Districts shall use their property in accordance with the procedure established by the Regulations on Church Property.

10. The Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions have the right to use for their needs land plots, buildings, including places of worship, industrial, social, charitable, cultural and educational and other purposes, including those classified as monuments of history and culture, as well as any other property, what they need to ensure their activities, provided by state, municipal, public and other organizations and citizens, in accordance with the current legislation, or own it.

11. The Moscow Patriarchate and synodal institutions shall use property belonging to them in accordance with the procedure established by the Regulations on Church Property.

12. The administrator of the funds of the Moscow Patriarchate is the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

13. Synodal institutions are financed from church-wide funds and by self-financing from funds received from the sources referred to in Article 1 of this chapter.

14. The managers of the funds of the synodal institutions within the expenditure plan are their heads.

15. Diocesan budgets are formed from the sources referred to in Article 1 of this section.

16. The administrator of the general diocesan funds is the diocesan bishop.

17. The diocese has the right to use for its needs land plots, buildings, including places of worship, industrial, social, charitable, cultural, educational and other purposes, including those classified as monuments of history and culture, as well as any other property they need to provide their activities, provided by state, municipal, public and other organizations and citizens, in accordance with the legislation of the country where the diocese is located, or own it.

18. Property belonging to the diocese on the basis of property rights, including buildings, structures, religious items, social, charitable, cultural, educational and economic facilities, land plots, monetary funds, literature, other property acquired or created at the expense of its own funds donated by individuals and legal entities - enterprises, institutions and organizations, transferred by the state, as well as acquired on other legal grounds, is the property of the Russian Orthodox Church.

19. In the event of the liquidation of the diocese as a legal entity, its movable and immovable property of religious significance, belonging to it on the basis of property rights, becomes the property of the Russian Orthodox Church, including in the person of the Moscow Patriarchate. Other property is sold to meet obligations to creditors, as well as to fulfill contractual and other legal requirements of legal entities and individuals. The rest of the property, after satisfying the legitimate claims of creditors, becomes the property of the Russian Orthodox Church, including in the person of the Moscow Patriarchate.

20. In the event of the liquidation of the diocese, all property received by it on the basis of economic management, operational management, use and on other legal grounds, in the manner and under the conditions established by the law of the country where the diocese is located, is transferred to the disposal of the Russian Orthodox Church, including in the person of the Moscow Patriarchy.

21. The financial resources of the parish, monastery, theological educational institution, brotherhood and sisterhood are formed from the sources referred to in Article 1 of this chapter.

The cost estimate for theological educational institutions is approved by the diocesan bishop, and if there is general church funding, it is submitted by the diocesan bishop for approval by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia with a preliminary consideration by the Educational Committee.

22. The administrators of the financial resources of the parish, monastery, theological educational institution, brotherhood and sisterhood, on the basis of accountability to the diocesan bishop within the budgets approved by him, are, accordingly, the chairman of the parish council, on the basis of accountability to the parish meeting and taking into account the specifics provided for by this Charter and the charter. parish, abbot (abbess) or abbess of a monastery, rector of a theological educational institution, chairman of a brotherhood or sisterhood together with members of the brotherhood council and the sisterhood council.

23. A parish, monastery, religious educational institution, brotherhood and sisterhood have the right to use for their needs land plots, buildings, including religious, industrial, social, charitable, cultural and educational and other purposes, including those classified as monuments of history and culture, as well as any other property necessary for them to ensure their activities, provided by state, municipal, public and other organizations and citizens, in accordance with the legislation of the country of location of the parish, monastery, theological educational institution, brotherhood or sisterhood, or to own it.

24. A parish, in addition to the main church building, may, with the blessing of the diocesan bishop, have attached churches and chapels, including in hospitals, in boarding houses, in nursing homes, in military units, in places of deprivation of liberty, in cemeteries, as well as elsewhere - subject to the law.

25. In accordance with the established procedure, a parish, monastery, religious educational institution, brotherhood or sisterhood may lease, as well as build or buy ownership of houses and premises for their needs, as well as acquire ownership of other necessary property.

26. Property belonging to a parish, monastery, religious educational institution, brotherhood or sisterhood on the basis of property rights, including buildings, structures, religious items, social, charitable, cultural, educational and economic purposes, land plots, funds, libraries , literature, other property acquired or created at their own expense, donated by individuals and legal entities - enterprises, institutions and organizations, transferred by the state, as well as acquired on other legal grounds, is the property of the Russian Orthodox Church.

27. In the event of the liquidation of a parish, monastery or religious educational institution as a legal entity, their movable and immovable property of religious significance, which belongs to them on the basis of property rights, becomes the property of the diocese. Other property is sold to meet obligations to creditors, as well as to fulfill contractual and other legal requirements of legal entities and individuals. The rest of the property, after satisfying the legitimate claims of creditors, goes to the diocese.

28. Upon liquidation of a parish, monastery or religious educational institution, all property received by them on the basis of economic management, operational management, use and on other legal grounds, in the manner and under the conditions established by the law of the country where the parish, monastery, religious educational institution is located, shall be transferred at the disposal of the diocese.

29. In the event of the liquidation of a brotherhood or sisterhood as a legal entity, their movable and immovable property of religious significance, which belongs to them on the basis of ownership rights, becomes the property of the parish in which they were created. Other property is sold to meet obligations to creditors, as well as to fulfill contractual and other legal requirements of legal entities and individuals. The rest of the property, after satisfying the legitimate claims of creditors, is transferred to the aforementioned parish.

30. In the event of the liquidation of a brotherhood or sisterhood, all property received by them on the basis of economic management, operational management, use and on other legal grounds, in the manner and under the conditions established by the law of the country where the brotherhood and sisterhood are located, is transferred to the disposal of the parish in which they were created. ...

31. Foreign institutions provide themselves with funds in accordance with their capabilities and the laws of the countries in whose territory they are located.

32. Foreign institutions can receive subsidies from church-wide funds. The amount of these subsidies is approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

33. Church sums are deposited in a bank in the name of the relevant foreign institution and are received by checks signed by the credit managers.

34. Foreign institutions use their property in accordance with the procedure established by the Regulations on Church Property.

35. The Holy Synod has the right to financial audit of general church and diocesan funds. To carry out such an audit, he creates a special synodal commission.

36. The financial audit of the stauropegic monasteries is carried out by an audit commission appointed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

37. A financial audit of diocesan monasteries, diocesan institutions and parishes is carried out at the direction of the diocesan bishop by an audit commission appointed by the diocesan authority.

38. Parish audit commissions act in accordance with Articles 55-59 of Chapter XVI of this Charter

39. Management and accounting of church property is carried out by financially responsible persons in accordance with the law of the country of location, the requirements of this Charter and the Regulations on church property.

40. The use in churches of candles and other items of church use, acquired and produced outside the Church, is not allowed.

Chapter XXI. On pension provision and on dismissal by age

1. Clergy and church workers who are citizens of the Russian Federation receive a state pension in accordance with the established procedure if they work in the canonical divisions of the Russian Orthodox Church, which are legal entities.

2. Pension provision for clergy and church workers - citizens of other states is carried out in accordance with the relevant laws of the host country.

3. The Russian Orthodox Church can have its own pension system.

4. Upon reaching the age of 75, each clergyman holding the office of hegumen (abbess) or abbot of a monastery, rector of a parish, chairman of a parish council, dean, secretary of a diocesan council, chairman or deputy chairman of a diocesan department or commission, chairman , a secretary or a member of the diocesan court, is obliged to submit a petition to his diocesan bishop for his release from the relevant official duties. The decision on the time of satisfaction of such a petition is left to the discretion of the diocesan bishop, and in relation to the hegumen (abbess) or abbess of the monastery - to the approval of the Holy Synod on the proposal of the diocesan bishop. The Diocesan Bishop takes care of worthy conditions for the continuation of the liturgical and pastoral ministry of clergy released by age from their official duties.

Chapter XXII. About seals and stamps

1. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the diocesan bishops have a stamp and a round seal with a name and title.

2. The Holy Synod has a stamp and a round seal with the inscription “Moscow Patriarchate - Holy Synod”.

3. The stamp and round seal have: the Moscow Patriarchate, synodal institutions, Autonomous and Self-governing Churches, Exarchates, Metropolitan districts, diocesan administrations, parishes, monasteries, theological educational institutions and other canonical subdivisions that have the status of a legal entity.

Chapter XXIII. Changes to this Charter

1. This Statute is valid for the entire Russian Orthodox Church.

2.From the moment of the adoption of this Statute, the Statute on the Administration of the Russian Orthodox Church, adopted by the Local Council on June 8, 1988 (with additions made by the Council of Bishops of 1990 and the Council of Bishops of 1994), ceases to be in force.

3. The Council of Bishops has the right to amend this Statute.

Used materials

• Pages of the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church:
• http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/4367659.html - "Determination of the Consecrated Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church on amendments and additions to the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church", February 3, 2016

Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church

Chapter XI. Parishes

1. A parish is a community of Orthodox Christians, consisting of clergy and laity, united at the church.
The parish is a canonical subdivision of the Russian Orthodox Church, it is under the commanding supervision of its diocesan bishop and under the leadership of the priest-rector appointed by him.
2. A parish is formed by the free consent of believers of citizens of the Orthodox faith who have reached the age of majority, with the blessing of the diocesan bishop. To obtain the status of a legal entity, a parish is registered by state authorities in the manner determined by the legislation of the country where the parish is located. The boundaries of the parishes are established by the diocesan council.
3. The parish begins its activities after the blessing of the diocesan bishop.
4. A parish in its civil legal activities is obliged to observe the canonical rules, the internal regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church and the legislation of the country of residence.
5. The parish shall obligatorily allocate funds through the diocese for general church needs in the amount established by the Holy Synod, and for diocesan needs in the manner and amount established by the diocesan authorities.
6. A parish in its religious, administrative, financial and economic activities is subordinate and accountable to the diocesan bishop. The parish implements the decisions of the Diocesan Assembly and the Diocesan Council and the orders of the Diocesan Bishop.
7. In the event of the separation of any part or the withdrawal of all members of the parish assembly from the parish, they cannot claim any rights to the parish property and funds.
8. If the parish meeting decides to withdraw from the hierarchical structure and jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, the parish is deprived of confirmation of belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, which entails the termination of the parish's activities as a religious organization of the Russian Orthodox Church and deprives it of the right to property that belonged to the parish as property, use or on any other legal basis, as well as the right to use the name and symbols of the Russian Orthodox Church in the name.
9. Parish churches, houses of worship and chapels are built with the blessing of the diocesan authorities and in compliance with the procedure established by law.
10. The administration of the parish is exercised by the Diocesan Bishop, Rector, Parish Assembly, Parish Council, Chairman of the Parish Council.
The Diocesan Bishop belongs to the supreme administration of the parish.
The body of control over the activities of the parish is the audit commission.
11. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods are created by parishioners only with the consent of the rector and with the blessing of the diocesan bishop. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods aim to attract parishioners to participate in the cares and works of maintaining churches in proper condition, to charity, mercy, religious and moral education and upbringing. Fraternities and sisterhoods in parishes are under the supervision of the superior. In exceptional cases, the charter of a brotherhood or sisterhood, approved by the diocesan bishop, may be submitted for state registration.
12. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods begin their activities after the blessing of the diocesan bishop.
13. In carrying out their activities, brotherhoods and sisterhoods are guided by this Charter, decisions of Local and Bishops' Councils, Determinations of the Holy Synod, Decrees of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, decisions of the diocesan bishop and rector of a parish, as well as the civil Regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church, diocese, parish, which they are created, and by their own statutes, if fraternities and sisterhoods are registered as a legal entity.
14. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods allocate funds through parishes for general church needs in the amount established by the Holy Synod, for diocesan and parish needs in the manner and amount established by the diocesan authorities and parish rectors.
15. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods in their religious, administrative, financial and economic activities through parish rectors are subordinate and accountable to diocesan bishops. Brotherhoods and sisterhoods carry out the decisions of the diocesan authorities and parish rectors.
16. In the event of the separation of any part or the withdrawal of all members of the fraternity and sisterhood from their composition, they cannot claim any rights to fraternal and sister property and funds.
17. If the General Meeting of Brotherhood and Sisterhood makes a decision to withdraw from the hierarchical structure and jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, the brotherhood and sisterhood are deprived of confirmation of their belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, which entails the termination of the activities of the brotherhood and sisterhood as a religious organization of the Russian Orthodox Church and deprives them of the right to property that belonged to the brotherhood or sisterhood on the basis of ownership, use or other legal basis, as well as the right to use the name and symbols of the Russian Orthodox Church in the name.
1. Abbot
18. At the head of each parish is the rector of the church, appointed by the diocesan bishop for the spiritual guidance of the believers and management of the parish and parish. In his activities, the rector is accountable to the diocesan bishop.
19. The rector is called to bear responsibility for the proper performance of services in accordance with the Church Statutes, for the church sermon, the religious and moral state and the appropriate upbringing of the members of the parish. He must conscientiously fulfill all liturgical, pastoral and administrative duties determined by his office, in accordance with the provisions of the canons and this Charter.
20. The duties of the prior, in particular, include:
a) leadership of the clergy in the performance of his liturgical and pastoral duties;
b) monitoring the condition of the church, its decoration and the availability of everything necessary for the performance of services in accordance with the requirement of the liturgical Statute and the instructions of the Hierarchy;
c) caring for correct and reverent reading and singing in the temple;
d) taking care of the exact fulfillment of the instructions of the diocesan bishop;
e) organization of catechetical, charitable, church-social, educational and educational activities of the parish;
f) calling and presiding over meetings of the parish meeting;
g) if there are grounds for that, the suspension of the execution of decisions of the parish meeting and the parish council on issues of a doctrinal, canonical, liturgical or administrative-economic nature, with the subsequent transfer of this issue to the diocesan bishop for consideration;
h) overseeing the implementation of decisions of the parish meeting and the work of the parish council;
i) representing the interests of the parish in state and local government bodies;
j) submission directly to the diocesan bishop or through the dean of the annual reports on the state of the parish, on the activities carried out in the parish and on its work;
k) the implementation of official church correspondence;
l) keeping a liturgical journal and keeping the parish archive;
m) issuance of baptism and marriage certificates.
21. The rector may receive leave and leave his parish for a while only with the permission of the diocesan authority, received in accordance with the established procedure.
2. Divine
22. The parish clerk is determined as follows: priest, deacon and psalmist. The number of members of the clergy may be increased or reduced by the diocesan authority at the request of the parish and in accordance with its needs, in any case, the clerk must consist of at least two persons - a priest and a psalmist.
Note: the position of the psalmist can be replaced by a person in the priesthood.
23. The election and appointment of clergy and clergymen belongs to the diocesan bishop.
24. To be ordained a deacon or priest it is necessary:
a) be a member of the Russian Orthodox Church;
b) be of legal age;
c) have the necessary moral qualities;
d) have sufficient theological training;
e) have a confessor's certificate that there are no canonical obstacles to ordination;
f) not be under an ecclesiastical or civil court;
g) take the church oath.
25. Members of the clergy may be relocated and dismissed from their positions by the diocesan bishop by personal request, by ecclesiastical court or ecclesiastical expediency.
26. The duties of the members of the clergy are determined by the canons and orders of the diocesan bishop or abbot.
27. The parish clerk is responsible for the spiritual and moral state of the parish and for the fulfillment of his liturgical and pastoral duties.
28. Members of the clergy may not leave the parish without the permission of the church authority, which is received in accordance with the established procedure.
29. A clergyman may take part in the celebration of a divine service in another parish with the consent of the diocesan bishop of the diocese in which this parish is located, or with the consent of the dean or rector, if he has a certificate confirming canonical legal capacity.
30. In accordance with Canon 13 of the IV Ecumenical Council, clergymen can be admitted to another diocese only if they have a letter of leave from the diocesan bishop.
3. Parishioners
31. Parishioners are persons of the Orthodox faith who maintain a lively connection with their parish.
32. Each parishioner has a duty to participate in the divine service, to regularly confess and receive communion, to observe the canons and church precepts, to perform deeds of faith, to strive for religious and moral improvement and to contribute to the welfare of the parish.
33. It is the responsibility of the parishioners to take care of the material maintenance of the clergy and the church.
4. Parish meeting
34. The governing body of the parish is the parish meeting, headed by the rector of the parish, who is, by virtue of his position, the chairman of the parish meeting.
The parish assembly includes the clergy of the parish, as well as parishioners who regularly participate in the liturgical life of the parish, who are worthy of their commitment to Orthodoxy, moral character and life experience to participate in the decision of parish affairs, who have reached the age of 18 and are not banned, as well as not held accountable by an ecclesiastical or secular court.
35. Admission to membership in the parish meeting and withdrawal from it is carried out on the basis of a petition (statement) by the decision of the parish meeting. If a member of the parish meeting is recognized as inconsistent with his position, he may be removed from the parish meeting by a decision of the parish meeting.
If members of the parish meeting deviate from the canons, this Statute and other regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as if they violate the statute of the parish, the composition of the parish meeting may be changed in whole or in part by the decision of the diocesan bishop.
36. The parish meeting is convened by the rector or, by order of the diocesan bishop, by the dean, or other plenipotentiary representative of the diocesan bishop at least once a year.
Parish meetings dedicated to the election and re-election of members of the parish council are held with the participation of a dean or other representative of the diocesan bishop.
37. The meeting is held in accordance with the agenda presented by the chairman.
38. The Chairman shall preside over the meetings in accordance with the adopted rules of procedure.
39. The parish meeting is competent to make decisions with the participation of at least half of the members. The decisions of the parish meeting are adopted by a simple majority vote, in case of equality of votes, the chairman's vote prevails.
40. The parish meeting elects from among its members a secretary responsible for drawing up the minutes of the meeting.
41. The minutes of the parish meeting are signed by: the chairman, the secretary and five elected members of the parish meeting. The minutes of the parish meeting are approved by the diocesan bishop, after which the decisions taken come into force.
42. The decisions of the parish meeting can be announced to the parishioners in the church.
43. The duties of the parish meeting include:
a) preserving the inner unity of the parish and promoting its spiritual and moral growth;
b) the adoption of the civil Charter of the parish, amendments and additions to it, which are approved by the diocesan bishop and come into force from the moment of state registration;
c) admitting and expelling members of the parish meeting;
d) election of the Parish Council and the Audit Commission;
e) planning the financial and economic activities of the parish;
f) ensuring the safety of church property and taking care of its augmentation;
g) adoption of plans of expenditures, including the amount of deductions for charity and religious and educational purposes, and their submission for approval by the diocesan bishop;
h) approval of plans and consideration of design estimates for the construction and repair of church buildings;
i) consideration and submission for approval by the Diocesan Bishop of financial and other reports of the Parish Council and reports of the Audit Commission;
j) approval of the staffing table and determination of the content of the members of the clergy and the Parish Council;
k) determination of the procedure for disposing of the parish property on the terms determined by this Statute, the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church (civil), the Statute of the diocese, the Statute of the parish, as well as current legislation;
l) taking care of the availability of everything necessary for the canonical administration of the divine service;
m) concern for the state of church singing;
n) initiation of parish petitions before the diocesan bishop and civil authorities;
o) consideration of complaints against members of the Parish Council, the Audit Commission and their submission to the Diocesan Administration.
5. Parish council
44. The Parish Council is the executive body of the Parish and is accountable to the Parish Assembly.
45. The parish council consists of a chairman, an assistant rector and a treasurer.
46. ​​Parish council:
a) implements the decisions of the Parish Assembly;
b) submit for consideration and approval by the Parish meeting the plans of economic activities, annual plans of expenditures and financial statements;
c) is responsible for the preservation and maintenance in proper order of temple buildings, other structures, structures, premises and adjacent territories belonging to the parish of land plots and all property owned or used by the parish, and keeps records of it;
d) acquires property necessary for the arrival, keeps inventory books;
e) solves current economic issues;
f) provides the parish with the necessary property;
g) provides housing to members of the parish clergy in those cases when they need it;
h) takes care of the protection and beauty of the church, the maintenance of deanery and order during divine services and religious processions;
i) takes care of providing the church with everything necessary for the splendid performance of divine services.
47. Members of the Parish Council may be removed from the Parish Council by a decision of the Parish Assembly or by order of the Diocesan Bishop if there are due grounds.
48. The chairman of the Parish Council, without a power of attorney, exercises the following powers on behalf of the parish:
- issues orders (orders) on the employment (dismissal) of workers of the parish; concludes labor and civil law contracts with parish employees, as well as agreements on material liability (the chairman of the parish council, who is not a rector, exercises these powers in agreement with the rector);
- disposes of the property and funds of the parish, including concluding relevant agreements on behalf of the parish and concluding other transactions in the manner prescribed by this Charter;
- represents the parish in court;
- has the right to issue powers of attorney to exercise the powers provided for by this clause of the Charter on behalf of the parish, as well as to maintain contacts with state bodies, local governments, citizens and organizations in connection with the exercise of these powers.
49. The abbot is the chairman of the Parish Council.
The Diocesan Bishop has the right, by his sole decision:
a) dismiss, at his own discretion, the abbot from the post of the chairman of the Parish Council;
b) appoint to the position of the chairman of the Parish Council (for a period of three years with the right to appoint for a new term without limiting the number of such appointments) an assistant rector (church elder) or another person, including a parish cleric, with his introduction into the Parish Assembly and the Parish advice.
The Diocesan Bishop has the right to remove from work a member of the Parish Council if he violates the canons, provisions of this Charter or the civil charter of the parish.
50. All documents officially issued by the Parish are signed by the Rector and (or) the Chairman of the Parish Council within their competence.
51. Banking and other financial documents are signed by the chairman of the Parish Council and the treasurer. In civil relations, the treasurer acts as the chief accountant. The treasurer keeps track of and stores funds, donations and other receipts, prepares an annual financial report. The parish keeps accounting records.
52. In case of re-election by the Parish Council or the change by the diocesan bishop of the composition of the Parish Council, as well as in the event of re-election, dismissal by the diocesan bishop or death of the chairman of the Parish Council, the Parish Assembly forms a commission of three members, which draws up an act on the availability of property and funds. The parish council accepts material assets on the basis of this act.
53. The duties of the assistant to the chairman of the Parish Council are determined by the Parish Assembly.
54. The duties of the treasurer include accounting and storage of monetary amounts and other donations, maintaining income and expense books, performing financial transactions within the budget as directed by the chairman of the Parish Council and drawing up an annual financial report.
6. Revision Commission
55. The Parish Assembly shall elect from among its members the Parish Audit Commission, consisting of a chairman and two members, for a period of three years. The Audit Commission is accountable to the Parish Meeting. The Audit Commission checks the financial and economic activities of the parish, the preservation and accounting of property, its use for its intended purpose, conducts an annual inventory, audits the enrollment of donations and receipts and the expenditure of funds. The results of the inspections and the corresponding proposals are submitted by the Audit Commission to the Parish Assembly for consideration.
In the event of abuse, the Audit Commission immediately informs the diocesan authorities. The Auditing Commission has the right to send the inspection report directly to the diocesan bishop.
56. The right to audit the financial and economic activities of the parish and parish institutions also belongs to the diocesan bishop.
57. Members of the Parish Council and the Audit Commission cannot be closely related.
58. The duties of the Audit Commission include:
a) regular audit, including checking the availability of funds, the legality and correctness of the expenses incurred and the keeping of the expense books by the receipt;
b) conducting, as necessary, checking the financial and economic activities of the parish, the safety and accounting of the property belonging to the parish;
c) annual inventory of the parish property;
d) control over the withdrawal of mugs and donations.
59. The Audit Commission draws up acts on the inspections carried out and submits them to a regular or extraordinary meeting of the Parish Assembly. In the presence of abuse, lack of property or funds, as well as errors in the conduct and execution of financial transactions, the Parish meeting makes an appropriate decision. It has the right to bring a claim in court, having previously received the consent of the diocesan bishop.