The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church has refused to receive a bishop of the Patriarchate of Constantinople

The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), which is taking place in Munich, has officially decided to reject the petition to transfer Bishop Emilian (Meloysky) to its jurisdiction. The church’s top leadership also annulled an earlier decision to admit Deacon Christos Karafotias to the clergy.

According to the SPJ in the US, both clergymen represent the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and are currently under a ban in the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The ROCOR emphasized that the clerics continue to remain in their former jurisdiction, as they did not receive the necessary canonical permission to transfer. «ROCOR observes the canons concerning the admission of clerics,» commented a source familiar with the proceedings.

Earlier, the possible reception of a bishop and deacon was considered by Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, who is the locum tenens of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Mid-America. However, despite preliminary steps, these decisions were reviewed and reversed at the Church-wide level during the Council in Germany.

Recall that the Council of ROCOR bishops in Munich is taking place within the framework of large-scale celebrations dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the German diocese. The agenda of the Council includes discussion of topical issues of contemporary church life, participation in anniversary services and coordination of the internal activities of foreign dioceses