MUNICH: 29 April, 2026
The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia commences

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the members of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of ROCOR, prayed at Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany at the Convent of the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth in Buchendorf, Bavaria. During the service, the clergy offered special petitions, invoking the grace-filled help of the Holy Spirit in the upcoming acts of the Council of Bishops opening that day.

After the conclusion of the service and a meal in the monastery meeting hall, the opening of the Council took place. Following the opening remarks of Metropolitan Nicholas, Metropolitan Mark was elected as co-chairman, His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Manhattan and His Grace Bishop Job of Stuttgart as Secretaries of the Council, assisted by Archpriest Serafim Gan. His Grace Bishop Michael of Boston and His Grace Bishop Peter of Seattle became members of the Counting Commission of the Council. Then the archpastors elected a commission to draft the Council’s epistle, which included His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, Bishop Theodosius of Manhattan and His Grace Bishop Spyridon of Toronto.

Then the Council heard reports from the ruling bishops and discussed the situation in the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Having listened to the reports of His Grace Bishop Irinei of London and Western Europe, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops on inter-Orthodox relations, and Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (ROCOR), the hierarchs concluded their first day of their work.