Council of Russian Orthodox Church Abroad approves reply to patriarch
NEW YORK. Dec 17 (Interfax)
The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad has adopted an address to church followers and approved the reply to head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Alexy II.
The Bishops' Synod told Interfax on Wednesday the texts of both messages will be published soon.
The council is meeting in Nyack, N.Y. and its main concern is the future of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and how to bring it closer to the Moscow Patriarchate. Ahead of the council the patriarch sent a message to the bishops calling to overcome the tragic split of the church. He expressed regret over the words and actions that have not promoted reconciliation.
The council meeting will end on Wednesday instead of Tuesday, as planned earlier. On Wednesday it is expected that the time of the upcoming visit to Russia of the head of the church abroad, Metropolitan Laurus, will be considered.
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