Archdiocese of Orthodox Churches of Russian Tradition in Western Europe

Moscow Patriarchate

Communiqué N° 04-10 of the Archdiocesan Council

Meeting of 19 May 2010

The Council of the Archdiocese met on 19 May 2010 under the chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel. Among the questions discussed were: :

1. Election of the Secretary of the Council of the Archdiocese, and of the Treasurer. Mgr the Archbishop first of all welcomed the newly elected members of the Council. Following the proposal of Mgr. The Archbishop, the Council reelected M. Michel Sollogoub Secretary of the Council of the Archdiocese and M. Alexandre Victoroff Treasurer.

2. Report on the General Assembly. In the general opinion of members of the Council, the General Assembly went off well on the whole, taking place in an atmosphere which was felt to be calm and peaceful. Those taking part appreciated the content of the reports and of the various contributions which occasioned a worthwhile debate.
The Council thanked especially the officers of the St. Sergius Institute, and the students for their help in the efficient running of the GA (organisation, reception, meal).

3. Parishes and clergy.
– Following the proposal of Mgr. Gabriel, the Council agreed that the eucharistic community of St. Bega at Keswick (Great Britain) become a parish. The celebration of Liturgies at Keswick will be assured by the priest John Munster.
– A eucharistic community dedicated to St. Anne, mother of the Mother of God, has been opened at Northampton. Liturgies will be celebrated by the priest Timothy Curtiss.
– Sub-deacon Joseph Sikora was ordained Deacon by Mgr. Gabriel on Saturday 17 April 2010 during the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul at Deventer (Neherlands), and priest on Sunday 18 April, the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women, during the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the church of the Myrrh-bearing Women, at Breda. He will carry out his pastoral ministry in the parish of Breda.

4. Ecclesiastical court. Mgr Gabriel informed the Council of the new composition of the Ecclesiastical Court, which he appointed for a period of 3 years with effect from 1 June 2010 : Archpriest Wladimir Yagello (chairman), Archpriest Anatole Rakovitch, Archpriest Serge Sollogoub, Priest Jivko Panev.

5. Nice. A site for the support of the action of the parish association of Nice (ACOR) has been placed on the Internet and offers information, documentation and an on-line petition (cathedralerussenice.org). The Council invites those who wish, to show their support for the parish of Nice by signing the petition offered.

6. Pilgrimage to Cappadocia. Mgr Gabriel informed the Council that he would be going on a pilgrimage to Cappadocia on 26 and 27 June next at the invitation of His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

7. Augmented Meeting of the Council of the Archdiocese. A meeting of the Council of the Archdiocese, augmented by the officers of the deaneries and the Dean of the St. Sergius Theological Institute, will take place on Tuesday 22 June next, to consider the courses to be followed by the Archdiocese, working methods and the internal organisation of the diocese.