Decree of the ROCA PSEA

Regarding relations with the Moscow Patriarchate

and those who separated from the ROCA before May 17^th, 2007.

The ROCA PSEA does not consider the “Act of Eucharistic Communion” to be in accordance with the traditional relationship of the ROCA to the Moscow Patriarchate. Therefore, it is deemed necessary to issue a final judgment on it at the coming All-Diaspora Sobor. Until a corresponding collegial determination on the matter is issued, the basis of our relationship should be the Status of the parishes of the free Russian Orthodox Church, approved by the ROCOR Synod of Bishops on May 2/15, 1990.

Since the last year did not bring the anticipated decision of those who separated from us to restore their affiliation to the Church Abroad, the following determination is announced:

Regarding ROCOR(V) – they are deemed a self-proclaimed church group and the ordinations performed by them are considered incomplete.

Regarding those who split off from ROCA earlier, and in light of their unwillingness to be a part of ROCA and their establishment of new church structures, relationships with them should be governed by collegial and synodal decisions approved previously.

Regarding ROAC – the Resolution of the ROCOR Bishops’ Sobor of 1996 to deny Bishop Valentin clerical standing remains in force and his future actions as a cleric will not be recognized.

Regarding RTOC – the Decision of the ROCA Holy Synod on May 3/16, 2003, to forbid Archbishop Lazarus and Bishop Venyamin from serving remains in force. Therefore, all of their later actions as clerics may not be considered valid.

+Agafangel

Bishop of Taurida and Odessa, Chairman of the ROCA PSEA

+Andronik

Bishop of Ottawa and North America, Vice Chairman of the ROCA PSEA

+Sofroniy

Bishop of St. Petersburg and Northern Russia

Fr. Vladimir Petrenko

(representing PSEA member Archpriest Georgiy Petrenko)

Hieromonk Arseniy

PSEA Secretary

15 May 2008