DIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO AND WESTERN AMERICA : March 24, 2006
Resolution of the Pastoral Conference of the Western-American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
Having gathered for joint prayer, preparation for Confession and Communion and for pastoral fellowship under the direction of His Eminence, the Most Reverend Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, at the Cathedral of the Icon of the Theotokos "The Joy of All Who Sorrow," and being in the grace-filled presence of the holy relics of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco, we are conscious of the fact that our Conference is taking place specifically in the place, where, in a few weeks, the Fourth All-Diaspora Council and the Sobor of Bishops that will follow it will be held, at which responsible decisions will be made concerning the healing of the wounds of division between the two parts of the Russian Orthodox Church, in the homeland and in the diaspora.
Having attentively heard the Report of Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, the Secretary of the Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia for Joint Negotiations with the Commission of the Moscow Patriarchate, about the status of the negotiation process, and having exchanged opinions during discussion on the given topic, we find it essential to state that we unanimously support our First Hierarch, the
Most Reverend Metropolitan Laurus and the members of the Hierarchical Synod of the Church Abroad in their striving, utilizing the path of mutual negotiations, having put aside all prejudices and accusations, to bring to an end the existing separation, which appeared as a result of the communist enslavement of the Orthodox Russian people, and to reestablish canonical and Eucharistic communion between the parts of the Russian Church in the Fatherland and Abroad.
We call upon all of our flock to increase their prayers for peace and oneness of mind in the Russian Church Outside of Russia, for the sending down of the Holy Spirit on our bishops and all the delegates of the approaching All-Diaspora Council, as was directed in the Lenten Epistle of our First Hierarch, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Laurus, and to continue to pray that the Lord protect our flock from all attempts to sow in its midst dissension and divisions, remembering the admonition of the Apostle: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor. 1:10).
+Archbishop Kyrill
and all of the participants of the Pastoral Conference
March 9/22, 2006 |
