The Holy Synod confirms the election of new vicar bishops of the Eastern American, Canadian and Western American dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

DECR Communication Service, 26.12. 2025.

On December 26, participants in the session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church heard a report by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, on the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia regarding the election of vicar bishops of the Eastern American, Western American, and Canadian dioceses (Minutes no.125).

Addressed to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia was an appeal by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York with the request for the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to confirm the election of vicar bishops for the Eastern American, Western American, and Canadian dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

In accordance with the Act of Canonical Communion of 17 May 2007,”hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia are elected by its Council of Bishops, or, in instances determined by the Regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, by its Synod of Bishops. The election is to be confirmed on a canonical basis by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.”

The Holy Synod decreed to confirm the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia to elect archpriest Michael Crowley as Bishop of Boston, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese (following his tonsure into monasticism); hieromonk Peter (Karakozoff) as Bishop of Seattle, vicar of the Western American Diocese; and hieromonk Spiridon (Gusakov) as Bishop of Toronto, vicar of the Canadian Diocese.

The location and time of these consecrations are left to the discretion of the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

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The Holy Synod confirms the election of new vicar bishops of the Eastern American, Canadian and Western American dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

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