The Archdiocese of Orthodox Churches of Russian Tradition in Western Europe celebrated the 5th anniversary of its return to the Moscow Patriarchate on 15 December. Though established by St. Tikhon of Moscow in 1921, the Archdiocese had been under the Patriarchate of Constantinople for several decades when its exarchate status was suddenly revoked in November 2018. The following September, its ruling hierarch was suddenly released by Constantinople, which led him to join the Moscow Patriarchate, with the majority of the former exarchate following him.

This reunification was formally celebrated in Moscow on 3 November, and the ruling hierarch, His Eminence Archbishop John (Renneteau) of Dubna, was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan.

The anniversary of this joyous occasion was celebrated on Sunday, 15 December, in the Archdiocese’s main cathedral, dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky, in Paris. Met. John was joined by his vicar, His Grace Bishop Syméon (Kossek) of Domodedovo, and His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony (Sevrjuk) of Volokolamsk, who heads the Russian Church’s Department for External Church Relations. The hierarchs were also joined by clergy from throughout Western Europe, the DECR reports.

At the end of the service, Met. Anthony read out a greeting from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and congratulated all those who joined in the celebration. In his address, Met. John noted that the reunification with the Moscow Patriarchate allowed the Archdiocese to continue its saving work in Western Europe, to be able to elect vicar bishops, and to ensure the continuity of its traditions. He expressed gratitude to Pat. Kirill and the Russian Synod for receiving the Archdiocese.

After the service, the bishops, clergy, and parishioners were treated to tea and refreshments in the parish house. (Quelle: www.orthochristian.com, 17. Dezember 2024)