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Journals of session of the Sacred Synod of Russian Orthodox Church under presidency of the Most holy Patriarch Moscow and vseya Russia Alex

From December 27, 2007.

Journal № 139

In session of the Sacred Synod under presidency of the PATRIARCH

LISTENED:

Report Preosvyashchennogo of metropolitan Smolensk and Kaliningrad Kirill, chairman of the Department of external church communications(connections), about taken place on blessing the Most holy Patriarch Moscow and vseya Russia Alex the actions, devoted to the 50 anniversary of formation(education) of the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church, and also about measures on normalization of position of Orthodox Church in China.

The information(inquiry):

On blessing the Most holy Patriarch Moscow and vseya Russia Alex on November 23, 2007 in the Pilgrim center of the Moscow Patriarchy the memorable actions, devoted to the 50 anniversary of the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church took place. Clergy and laymen of the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church have been accomplished moleben to the Chinese martyrs and pominovenie bishops. Scientific conference in which bishops have taken part(have participated), clergymen and laymen of Russian Orthodox Church, representatives the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, a management(manual) and leading experts vostokovedcheskikh institutes of the Russian Academy of sciences took place. With a greeting to participants of celebrations the Most holy Patriarch Moscow and vseya Russia Alex has addressed.

The Russian Spiritual Mission founded by the Most holy Synod operated(worked) in China since 1713. By virtue of the political reasons the Russian Spiritual Mission in China has been abolished in 1954.

On November 23, 1956 the Sacred Synod of Russian Orthodox Church has made a decision on talent of an autonomy of the Chinese Orthodox Church and khirotonii in bishop of the Beijing archimandrite Vasily (Yao Shuanglin). With the consent of authorities of the Peoples Republic of China archimandrite Vasily (Yao Shuanglin) was khirotonisan in bishop Beijing on May 30, 1957 in Moscow and should head the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church.

After death of the Chinese citizens of bishops of Beijing Vasily (in 1962) and Shanghai Simeon (in 1965) the Chinese Orthodox Church has lost arkhipastyrskogo a management(manual). In heavy conditions of "cultural revolution" its(her) life has fallen into decay: the orthodox temples have been closed all, many priests have undergone persecutions.

On available data, now in China it is totaled about 15 000 orthodox believers. Mostly they live in Beijing, Shanghai, province Heilongjiang, independent areas Xinjiang and the Inner Mongolia.

The sacred Synod of Russian Orthodox Church in definition from February 17, 1997 ascertained, that as now the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church has no Head, pending its(his) election pomestnym as the Cathedral of this Church according to orthodox canons, initial management of dioceses of the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church is carried out by the Head of Mother-church — the Patriarch Moscow and vseya Russia. The decision of practical questions on settlement of an orthodox life in China was entrusted to chairman OVTSS.

HAVE DECIDED:
  1. The report to take into account.
  2. To note, that in difficult conditions numerous orthodox believing in China have kept belief KHristovu and prayful initial communication(connection) with Mother — Russian Orthodox Church.
  3. To continue the efforts undertaken by the Department of external church communications(connections) in dialogue with the Chinese party(side), on normalization of position of the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church.
  4. To consider(count) useful opening in Moscow Farmsteads of the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church.