MUNICH: 11 May, 2026
The services and meetings of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in Germany

During the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia held from April 29 to May 5, 2026, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, attended daily services performed at the Convent of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth in Buchendorf, Germany, where Mother Maria (Sidiropoulou) is the abbess.

As previously reported, on Friday, May 1, the German Diocese celebrated the centenary of its founding with a solemn Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors in Munich.

On this day, the cathedral service was led by His Eminence Nicholas, concelebrated by all the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, as well as by His Eminence Metropolitan Peter of Prespa and Pelagonia (Macedonian Orthodox Church) and His Eminence Archbishop Tikhon of Ruzsky, Administrator of the German Diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate, Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (ROCOR), the Cathedral Sacristan in Munich, Protopresbyter Nikolai Artemoff, and about 100 priests and deacons of the German Diocese and guests from around the world.

On Sunday, May 3, on the Sunday of the Paralytic, Metropolitan Nicholas officiated at Divine Liturgy, and the day before, all-night vigil, at Protection of the Mother of God Church in the city of Salzburg, Austria, where Archpriest Georgy Kharlov is Rector. The services were held under the holy protection of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign.”

At the meal arranged by the parish sisterhood, the church choir performed. Metropolitan Nicholas then visited the Russian Consulate General in Salzburg, where he performed a prayer service before the miraculous icon and presented a commemorative gift to Consul General DD Cherkashin. The primatial visit to Salzburg concluded with a visit to one of the cemeteries in Salzburg, where His Eminence performed a memorial service at the grave of Archbishop Stefan (Sevbo).

On Wednesday, May 6, Metropolitan Nicholas took part in the opening of the jubilee church-historical conference "Heritage and Vocation," dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the German diocese. The event was opened by a concert of the Munich Cathedral choir singing liturgical chants.

Then Fr Nikolai warmly greeted the hierarchs, clergy, and invited guests. During his speech, Metropolitan Nicholas emphased that the long-standing existence of the diocese is a living testimony of deep love for God and the Fatherland, and said the following:

“Your Eminence, Most Reverend Metropolitan Mark! Fellow archpastors, venerable fathers, dear brothers and sisters! I warmly greet all of you who gathered to celebrate a momentous anniversary — the 100th anniversary of the founding of the German Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad!

“The centennial journey of the diocese is a chronicle of resilience, faith, and boundless love for God and their Homeland. Founded in the difficult years of turmoil, the German diocese became a spiritual home for thousands of compatriots who found themselves far from their Motherland. Under the omophorion of outstanding archpastors and ascetics, the living continuity of the Russian church tradition was preserved here, prayer was performed in the native language, and new generations were raised in the spirit of faithfulness to Holy Orthodoxy.

“Today, recalling the path traveled by the diocese over an entire century, we bow our heads with gratitude before the memory of those who built communities, constructed churches, and preserved the unity of the Church in the most challenging historical circumstances. The legacy of the German diocese is not only the walls of monasteries and parishes but above all the living faith, which still unites us today in service to God and to our neighbors.

“I remember how the parishioners of our churches in New Jersey, where I grew up, fondly recalled Archbishop Filofei (Narko), who had passed away 40 years ago, and who managed to significantly unite the Orthodox displaced persons. They also remembered the terrible time of repatriation, when the late Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov) and Archbishop Nafanail (Lvov), while still hieromonks, saved more than two thousand Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians from being handed over and perishing. It was a feat of spirit and will.

“And this feat will go down in the history of that terrible time, in the history of emigration and the Church, like many other efforts of our hierarchs and pastors. It is absolutely necessary to remember them, to write about them, so that these testimonies remain for history.

“Your conference is intended not only to comprehend the historical experience, but also to strengthen the bonds of fraternal love, to discuss the challenges facing the Church in the modern world. May this forum become a time of fruitful communication and spiritual enrichment.

“I prayerfully wish you all good health, inspiration, and generous God's help in your labors.

His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany also spoke briefly, noting that the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad "is not narrowly national, but a Church that transcends all borders." He emphasized that he does not regard the hostile attitude of political circles toward the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad as a reflection of the general sentiment of the people. On the contrary, he highlighted the deep roots of the Church in German society and culture, as well as the importance of a devout prayer life and active participation in church services for each of its members.

His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Germany also gave a greeting on the occasion of the anniversary, which was read by his Vicar,Bishop Sofian. He particularly noted how the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia managed to preserve the truth of the Orthodox faith, expressed gratitude to Metropolitan Mark for his deeply theological and pastorally-attentive service, and also thanked him for the trusting cooperation.

Then Fr Nikolai presented a brief historical overview of the origins and development of the German Diocese and personal recollections of the time of “barracks churches” to the resettlement of Russian Germans and the unification of the Russian Church. The main report of the conference was presented by His Grace Bishop Job of Stuttgart. In his speech, he emphasized the continuous missionary task of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in Germany and noted the main stages of the diocese's development.

He also touched upon the question of whether the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in Germany would remain a “foreign body” in the context of immigration, and firmly rejected this assumption. He described how the beauty of Orthodoxy flourished: in the 19th century with the adornment of the tsarist churches, in the translations of liturgical texts into German, carried out by Archpriest Alexey Maltsev, but most importantly in the pastors and people of the Church.

Bishop Job particularly noted the activities of Metropolitan Mark, who exerted a significant influence on the formation of German-speaking Orthodoxy: "Under him, the ‘plant’ of Orthodoxy truly took root." Thanks to him, Orthodoxy finally grew in Germany. Bishop Job also emphasized the orientation of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in Germany: it perceives itself as the Church of Christ and the bearer of a thousand-year Orthodox tradition.

At the same time, he also noted the special mission of the diocese as a pan-Orthodox voice in Germany, actively engaged in social service. After the report, an exhibition dedicated to the anniversary conference was opened, which was attended by clergy and guests. A small reception provided an opportunity for further communication.

On Thursday, May 7, His Eminence attended presentations and a concert on the second day, attended by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate (DECR). Then, at the Monastery of St Job of Pochaev in Munich, a meeting took place between Metropolitan Anthony and Metropolitan.

In a conversation held in a warm fraternal atmosphere, Metropolitan Mark, Bishop Job, the Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops of ROCOR, Archpriest Serafim Gan, and the Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanyov, took part. At the end of the meeting, the parties exchanged commemorative gifts.

On Sunday, May 10, on the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, Metropolitan Nicholas presided over Divine Liturgy, and vigil on the evening befor, at the Church of Holy Queen Alexandra in Bad Ems. His Eminence was joined by Metropolitan Mark, Rector Archpriest Boris Zdrobeu, and the clergy of the German Diocese.