The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church adopted the Regulations on the Church Court

On June 26, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church adopted the Regulations on the Church Court. Metropolitan of Yekaterinodar and Kuban Isidor (Kirichenko) was elected chairman of the church court.

The regulation provides for the creation of diocesan courts, higher ecclesiastical courts of ROCOR and self-governing churches, and a general church court.

The document establishes that "full judicial power in the Russian Orthodox Church belongs to the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church <...>. Judicial power in the Russian Orthodox Church is also exercised by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church <...> and the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'."

The fullness of judicial power in the dioceses belongs to the diocesan bishops. At the same time, it is noted that "diocesan bishops independently make decisions on cases of ecclesiastical offenses if these cases do not require investigation. If the case requires investigation, the diocesan bishop refers it to the diocesan court." As an exception, the functions of the diocesan court may be assigned to the diocesan council.

Consideration of cases in church courts will be closed.

Sources

• The Council of Bishops adopted the Regulations on the Church Court and elected its chairman // Interfax-religion. 2008. June 26.
• Regulations on the Church Court of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) // Patriarchy.ru. 2008. June 26.