Resolution of the Clergy of the Diocese of Chicago and Detroit

We, the clergy of the Diocese of Chicago and Detroit, gathered together for common prayer and mutual spiritual support, greet our ruling hierarch, His Eminence Archbishop Alypy, on the feast day of St. Sergius of Radonezh, ask his archpastoral blessing, and entreat God that He continue to aid our archpastor in his physical recovery from his unfortunate fall. Our hearts rejoiced at seeing Archbishop Alypy concelebrate the consecration of Bishop Peter, and we hope that he will more and more often be able to serve the Divine Liturgy.

Having learned of the meeting of Metropolitan Laurus and other members of the Synod of Bishops with President Putin of the Russian Federation, we thank God that He has allowed for further fruitful contacts that we hope will lead to an eventual reconciliation in the Russian Orthodox Church. Having once rejoiced at the fall of the Soviet power, and having continued to rejoice at the religious resurrection of the Russian land, we now look for a reconciliation in the Russian Church which is marked by a process which is transparent, deliberate, with milestones clearly defined, and communicated to the faithful in a way that educates them and allays their fears. We trust that our hierarchs will take all steps necessary to proactively overcome all impediments to this reconciliation. We support Metropolitan Laurus and the Synod of Bishops in their cordial response to the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Aleksey II to visit Russia and continue discussions regarding reconciliation in the Russian Church. We believe, with God's help, that our hierarchs will make wise decisions that will guide us and all their flock to the haven of our heavenly homeland, and that the present efforts at reconciliation of the two parts of the Russian Church will serve to truly unite us all in a spirit of truth, faith and love.
Unanimously approved by all the participants of the Clergy Conference.

Cathedral of St. Sergius of Radonezh
Cleveland, OH

Feast Day of St. SergiusFeast Day of St. Sergius Cathedral, Cleveland, OH

His Grace Bishop Peter with relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh

Procession of the Cross