PRESS RELEASE
from the COUNCIL OF BISHOPS of the
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OUTSIDE OF RUSSIA

The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia was held at the Synodal House in New York City on 13-17 December of this year, in the presence of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, and chaired by His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus. On the first day of the Council, reports were given by Metropolitan Laurus on the life of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia during the inter-conciliar period, and by His Eminence Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney and the Australian/New Zealand Diocese on the Synodal delegation to Moscow in November of this year, which was headed by His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin, Germany and Great Britain.

Among the matters considered by the Council of Bishops were the results of the All-Diaspora Pastoral Conference held in the suburbs of New York City on 8-12 December of this year, the question of a visit by the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia to Moscow in the first half of next year, an epistle to the flock of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and a letter in response to the appeal to Metropolitan Laurus and the members of the Council of Bishops from His Holiness Patriarch Alexy. In addition, a committee was established for the study of vital questions in conjunction with a corresponding committee of the Russian Orthodox Church/Moscow Patriarchate.

By the proposal of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, His Eminence Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney and the Australia/New Zealand Diocese was awarded a diamond cross for his klobuk, and His Grace Bishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America was elevated to rank of Archbishop. A session of an expanded Synod of Bishops will be held upon the conclusion of the Council of Bishops.