The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church adopted a resolution on the naming of canonical parts of the Russian Orthodox Church

On July 24, 2025, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church held its regular meeting in Moscow. Among the decisions adopted at the meeting was a resolution on the naming of canonical parts of the Russian Orthodox Church, according to which foreign exarchates and metropolitan districts are obliged to indicate their affiliation with the Moscow Patriarchate in their names. The issue was discussed using the example of the Belarusian Exarchate. This was reported on the official website of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church.

«RESOLVED: 1. To remind the Holy Synod of the Belarusian Exarchate and Metropolitan Districts that the official names of such (including legal names and names posted on official websites and documents), as well as the names of their canonical structures – dioceses, parishes, monasteries, courtyards, and others – must contain the phrase “Russian Orthodox Church” or “Moscow Patriarchate.” 2. In the absence of the aforementioned phrases in the names of the listed canonical structures, such names should be brought into line with this definition,» according to the minutes of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, No. 54.

We previously reported that the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine plans to forcibly amend the State Register regarding religious communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that have not indicated their affiliation with the Moscow Patriarchate in their names.