Surozh case

The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church considers the decision of the Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople canonically incompetent, as taken in violation of the rules of the Holy Apostles, and is going to make a judgment on the merits of the case after studying all the circumstances. Since the issuance of a letter of release is an indispensable condition for the transfer of a bishop to the jurisdiction of another church, and such a letter was not issued to Bishop Vasily, Bishop Vasily still remains a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, in retirement pending the final consideration of his case. In connection with this, he was summoned to a meeting of the Synod on July 17, 2006.