N  E W  S

The Rt. Revd. Bishop of Sergievo requests to be incardinated in the Patriarchate of Constantinople

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Московский Патриархат                        Patriarchate of Moscow

Сурожская епархия                                Diocese of Sourozh

Василий, епископ Сергиевский              Bishop Basil of Sergievo

Великобритания                                     94a Banbury Road

Оксфорд Oxford,                                    OX2 6JT

Ул. Банбери, д. 94а                                 Great Britain

Тел: (44) 1865 512701                              Tel: (44) 1865 512701

Факс: (44) 1865 512882                            Fax: (44) 1865 512882

Эл. Почта: sergievo@ntlworld.com        E-mail: sergievo@ntlworld.com

2 May 2006

His All-Holiness Bartholomaios, Archbishop of Constantinople New Rome

and Ecumenical Patriarch

Rum Patrikligi,

Halic-Fener

Istanbul 34220

Turkey

Your All-Holiness,

Christ is Risen!

Having given much thought to the conflict that has disturbed the life of the Diocese of

Sourozh for the past few years, and having spoken, as you know, with Archbishop

Gabriel of Comana, I have concluded that the way to resolve our difficulties is for me to

those clergy and parishes that wish to follow me.

Knowing that as Ecumenical Patriarch you have a special concern for the well being of

the whole of the Orthodox Church, and that the Archdiocese of Russian Parishes in

Western Europe is the ecclesial entity most like us in its history and internal governance,

I humbly ask that you accept me with my clergy into your jurisdiction as a separate

diocese alongside the Archdiocese of Western Europe. I am confident that we would all

be able to work together fruitfully for the good of our Holy Church.

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Meanwhile I have written to His Holiness Patriarch Alexis of Moscow and All Russia,

petitioning to be released from the Patriarchate of Moscow and allowed to move to the

jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. A copy of my letter is enclosed,

together with a copy of a letter I have written to the clergy of the Diocese and to the

members of the Diocesan Assembly, and an ‘information sheet’ that they have also

received. These will make clear the situation that has prompted my request.

Although I make this move with some sadness, having lived for many years within the

Patriarchate of Moscow, nevertheless it seems to me and to many others in the Diocese to be a very positive way forward that will enable us to consolidate and continue the work begun by the late Metropolitan Anthony.

Archbishop Gabriel, head of the Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Parishes in Western Europe within the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is fully aware of my situation and of what I have done.

Asking for your holy prayers, I am

Your humble servant in Christ,

BISHOP OF SERGIEVO

Administrator

Diocese of Sourozh