JOURNAL №15 OF THE HOLY SYNOD SESSION HELD ON NOVEMBER 23, 1956

The session of the Holy Synod presided by the PATRIARCH consisted of:

HEARING:

1. Report of His Eminence Archbishop VICTOR on the state of Church affairs in the People's Republic of China and his proposal to consecrate Archimandrite VASILY (Shuang) the Bishop of Beijing.

REFERENCE:

Archimandrite Vasily (in the world Ignaty Shuang), citizen of the People's Republic of China. He was born on December 23, 1888 in the city of Beijing. He graduated from the Theological Seminary of the Spiritual Mission in Beijing, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1915. He was tonsured a monk by Archbishop Victor on August 30, 1948. At the present time he serves as the Dean of the Holy Dormition Cathedral in Beijing and temporarily administers the Beijing Eparchy.

DECISION:

The proposal of Archbishop VICTOR to elevate Archimandrite Vasily into the rank of Bishop of Beijing was accepted and it was further decided that his appointment and Consecration shall be held in Moscow.

HEARING:

2. Project proposal for the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church:

1. Following the revocation of the East Asian Exarchate, the Moscow Patriarchate bestows autonomy to the Chinese Orthodox Church;
2. The Moscow Patriarchate confirms (in the absence of any canonical obstacles) the Head of the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church after his election by the mentioned Church.
3. The Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church receives the Holy Myrrh from the Russian Orthodox Church, commemorates the name of His Holiness, the Patriarch of Moscow and all of Russia, during the Divine Services and takes part in her Local Councils through appointed representatives.
4. Concerning her internal affairs, the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church has complete independence.

DECISION:

To put the Project in action.

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL OF RUSSIA: Alexy

MEMBERS OF THE HOLY SYNOD:

Nikolai, Metropolitan of Krutick and Kolomen
Boris, Archbishop of Kherson and Odessa
Onesimus, Archbishop of Vladimir and Suzdal
Gabriel, Bishop of Vologoda and Cherepovec

Executive Secretary of the Moscow Patriarchate
Protopresbyter N. Kolchicky