XV. The Metropolias

1. Two or more dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church can be united in a Metropolia.

2. Metropolias shall be formed for the purposes of coordinating the liturgical, pastoral, missionary, educational and youth work, as well as social, charitable, publishing and information activities of the dioceses and their cooperation with society and bodies of state authority.

3. The decisions on the establishment or abolishment of Metropolias, as well as on their names, boundaries and composition shall be taken by the Holy Synod with subsequent approval by the Bishops’ Council.

4. The dioceses comprising the Metropolia shall be canonically accountable directly to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, the Holy Synod and the Bishops’ and Local Councils.

5. The Supreme Ecclesiastical Court shall be the highest instance for the diocesan ecclesiastical courts in the dioceses comprising the Metropolia.

6. As required, but at least twice a year, the Metropolia shall convene its episcopal council consisting of all the diocesan and vicar bishops of the Metropolia, as well as the secretary of the episcopal council appointed by the head of the Metropolia.

The powers of the episcopal council its proceedings shall be defined by the Regulations on Metropolias approved by the Holy Synod.

7. The vicar bishops of the dioceses within the Metropolia shall participate in the episcopal council with the right of casting vote.

8. The head of the Metropolia (Metropolitan) shall be the diocesan bishop of one of the dioceses comprising the Metropolia and shall be appointed by the Holy Synod upon the pertinent decree of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

9. The name of the head of the Metropolia (Metropolitan) shall be commemorated in all churches of the Metropolia after the name of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia as follows:

• within his own diocese, “For our Master His Eminence (name) Metropolitan (title);” in the brief form: “For our Master His Eminence Metropolitan (name);”
• within other dioceses: “For the Master His Eminence (name) Metropolitan (title); in the brief form: “For the Master His Eminence Metropolitan (name)”.

10. The working proceedings of the Metropolia shall be conducted by the diocesan administration headed by the Metropolitan.

11. The powers of the head of the Metropolia (Metropolitan) shall be defined by the Regulations on Metropolias.