The Hierarch’s Assembly of the Russian Orthodox Church began in Moscow
(
25.01.2009
)
On January 25th, 2009, in the cathedral of the Lord Jesus Christ the Saviour in Moscow, started the work of the Hierarch’s Assembly of the Russian Orthodox Church. Before the beginning of the first plenary session, the bishops present there, have performed the singing of the Pentecost.
Hymn: “Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made fisherman all-wise, by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them, drawing all the world into Your net. O Loving One, glory be to You.”
The throne keeper of the Patriarch Throne, the Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad Kiril talked to the present Bishops with the words: “We are opening the Special Bishop Assembly of the Russian Orthodox Church. In June last year we have the opportunity to organise, to work together as a Holy Hierarch’s Assembly, we have produced important documents, we have worked under the guidance of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and whole Russia, Aleksil the IInd.
Bishop Kiril called all to pray for peace of the soul of the departed Head of the Russian Church.
The participants of the Hierarch’s Assembly prayed for the peace of soul of the departed Head of Church during the procession, which was performed by the throne keeper, Bishop Kiril.
According to the Constitution of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Hierarch’s Assembly is consisted from diocesan bishops and vicar bishops as well, who govern Synod institutions and Seminaries, or who have canonical jurisdiction over the parishes that are entrusted to them. These vicar bishops may take presence to the Assembly sessions, with no right of decisive voting.
202 archpriests took presence on the Assembly.
Three candidates to sit on the Moscow Patriarch Throne will be nominated on this conference. The election of the new Moscow and Russian Patriarch will be done on the General Assembly of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Press service of the Moscow Patriarchy
Source: Патриархиа.ру
