15 November 2006, 15:22
The former ROCOR parishes to be governed by special rule - Moscow Patriarchate
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=2261
Moscow, November 15, Interfax - The order of ruling the former ROCOR parishes on the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate after the reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church in the homeland and abroad would have some specific features, says the secretary for interorthodox relations of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations Rev. Nikolay Balashov.
‘The settlement of certain clergymen’s status and amplification of agreements concerning the parishes set up by the Church Abroad on the Moscow Patriarchate territory ought not to slow down our advance to unity. However, I would not eliminate this possibility,’ Rev. Nikolay said in his interview to NG-Religii published Wednesday.
He added that the data on the mentioned clergymen has been collected; the study of their dossiers has allowed concluding that ‘a possibility of reconsidering their canonical status may be found in most cases.’
‘The reunification means that the parishes in Russia would be placed under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate local bishops. However, a five-year transitional period is envisaged because of difficulties of human nature that the process entails,’ a member of the Moscow Patriarchate Commission for talks with the ROCOR added.
According to him, the ROCOR Synod will not have its jurisdiction on the Moscow Patriarchate canonical territory during this period of time, yet the order of administration of the former ‘abroad’ communities ‘will retain certain specific features.’