The Canonization of Father Seraphim Rose by Metropolitan Agafangel of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
Minutes of the Meeting of the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
November 6/19, 2024
The Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, with the rights of the Synod of Bishops, opened with the singing of the prayer "O Heavenly King" on November 6/19, 2024, at 3:00 PM at the Synodal Representation in Ukraine, Odessa, Mykhailovska Square, 1.
Present:
His Eminence Agafangel, Metropolitan of New York and Eastern America, First Hierarch and Chairman of the Synod of Bishops of ROCOR;
The Right Reverend George (Secretary), Archbishop of Kishinev and Moldavia;
The Right Reverend Alexis, Bishop of Ceadîr-Lunga.
Also participating in the meetings via Skype were the following bishops:
The Right Reverend Gregory, Archbishop of São Paulo and South America;
The Right Reverend John, Archbishop of Buinsk and the Volga Region;
The Right Reverend Cyril, Bishop of Voronezh and South Russia;
The Right Reverend Nikon, Bishop of Ishim and Siberia;
The Right Reverend Anastasius, Bishop of Vladivostok and the Far East;
The Right Reverend John, Bishop of Melbourne and Australia;
The Right Reverend Ambrose, Bishop of Kolomna and Shchyurovo;
The Right Reverend Philaret, Bishop of Ferapontovo.
Journal No. 1
Heard: The Chairman on the agenda.
Resolved: To approve the agenda of the Bishops' Council meeting with extended rights in the following form:
1. Information on the preparation for the glorification of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) in the rank of the venerable.
2. Resolution on the location and date of the glorification of Hieromonk Seraphim.
3. Procedure for defrocking former ROCOR clerics.
4. Miscellaneous.
Journal No. 2
Heard: Information from the Chairman on the preparation for the glorification of Hieromonk Seraphim in the rank of the venerable.
Resolved: To approve the text of the service and the icon for the Venerable Seraphim.
Journal No. 3
Heard: The Chairman's report on the preparation of the Synodal Representation of ROCOR in Odessa for the glorification of Hieromonk Seraphim on the feast day of the Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers, November 8/21, 2024.
Resolved: To perform the glorification of Hieromonk Seraphim of Platina in the rank of the venerable. The location for the glorification shall be the Synodal Representation of ROCOR in Odessa. The date for the glorification is set for the feast day of the Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers, November 8/21, 2024.
Journal No. 4
Heard: The clarification from Bishop Anastasius regarding his official letter dated September 2/15, 2024, No. 239/p.
Resolved: To assign Bishop Anastasius to compile a list of errors and present them to the Synod of Bishops.
Journal No. 5
Heard: The Right Reverend Bishops John and Philaret regarding the possible canonization of Archbishop Anthony (Golynsky), a hierarch and ascetic of the Catacomb Church.
Resolved: To task Bishops Ambrose and Philaret with conducting additional research on the available documentary sources about the life and ministry of Archbishop Anthony.
Journal No. 6
Heard: The Chairman on the date of the next Bishops' Council.
Resolved: To hold the next Bishops' Council on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, April 24/May 7, 2025.
