The IV All-Diaspora Council Meets

The Fourth All-Diaspora Council of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad met in San Francisco from May 6 to 14, 2006. The Fourth All-Diaspora Council focused its attention on two general concerns: first, the normalization of relations between the divided parts of the Russian Orthodox Church; and, second, the mission and service of the Russian Orthodox Abroad in the contemporary world. The All-Diaspora Council, which is constituted of the hierarchy and representatives of the clergy and laity, plays an advisory role in the life of the Church; its decisions take effect upon approval and confirmation by the Council of Bishops. Previous All-Diaspora Councils of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia were held in 1921, 1938, and 1974.

Member of the faculty and administration of Holy Trinity Seminary in attendance at the Council were His Eminence, Metropolitan Laurus, Rector, Archimandrite Luke, Dean, Archpriest Gregory Naumenko, Protodeacon Victor Lochmatow, and Reader Andrei Psarev. The official delegate representing the Seminary was Deacon Vladimir Tsurikov, Assistant Dean. Two official talks were given by Seminary faculty: Archimandrite Luke delivered a talk entitled "Reflections on the Mission of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad," and Andrei Psarev spoke on "The Development of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia's Perspectives Towards Other Local Orthodox Churches and Non-Orthodox Christians."

The delegates of the All-Diaspora Council passed a resolution on May 13, 2006, in which they expressed their "conciliar consent that it is necessary to confirm the canonical status of the Russian Church Abroad for the future as a self-governing part of the Local Russian Church, in accordance with the Regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia currently in force."

Holy Trinity Seminary Press will publish the proceedings of the Fourth All-Diaspora Council in the near future.