A Joint Session of the Holy Synod and the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church Took Place

DECR Communication service, 26.12.2024. 

On December 26, 2024, a joint session of the Holy Synod and the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church was held in the Patriarchal Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'.

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the attendees with a welcoming speech.

During the session, the following reports were presented:

• A report by Metropolitan Gregory of Voskresensk on the activities of the Administrative Office of the Moscow Patriarchate;
• A report by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk on the activities of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate;
• A report by Metropolitan Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk on the activities of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church;
• A report by Archpriest Maxim Kozlov on the activities of the Education Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church;
• A report by Metropolitan Nikandr of Naro-Fominsk on the activities of the Financial and Economic Administration of the Moscow Patriarchate;
• A report by Metropolitan Theognost of Kashira on the activities of the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism;
• A report by Metropolitan Evgeny of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye on the activities of the Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechesis;
• A report by Archpriest Mikhail Potokin on the activities of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Ministry;
• A report by Priest Antony Kosykh on the activities of the Synodal Missionary Department;
• A report by Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk on the activities of the Synodal Department for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies;
• A report by Bishop Seraphim of Istra on the activities of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs;
• A report by V.R. Legoida on the activities of the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media;
• A report by Priest Kirill Markovsky on the activities of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry;
• A report by Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk on the activities of the Synodal Committee for Cooperation with the Cossacks;
• A report by Metropolitan Tikhon of Simferopol and Crimea on the activities of the Patriarchal Council for Culture;
• A report by Abbess Xenia (Chernega) on changes in legislation.

A substantive discussion took place on each report, according to the press service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

Summing up the session, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill stated:

"Despite the difficulties each of us encounters, today's session demonstrates that, by God's grace, we are moving forward, solving one problem after another, and undoubtedly reaching a new level of church ministry, especially in the areas of interaction with society, the state, and the Armed Forces. Therefore, in conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you, dear participants of today's session, and through you, to all those who work with you and under your guidance, for the efforts being made today for the benefit of the Church and our homeland.

I believe we are on the right path. Humans inevitably make mistakes, and we are not immune to them, but we can state that, as a Church, we are not making any grave errors or taking actions that would create barriers in the relationship between the Church, society, or the state.

The level of interaction between the Church and the state, I believe, is unprecedented in the entire history of Russia. We live in unique conditions of complete freedom for the Church. The Church actively cooperates with the state without experiencing any discrimination against believers. Therefore, we must thank God for what we have today in our blessed homeland and make the most of this favorable time, for 'to whom much is given, much will be required' (Luke 12:48). This is why we gather, work, analyze our activities, and make plans. I hope we will continue to address emerging challenges for the benefit of the Church and our people."