ROC “receives Berdiansk Eparchy into direct subordination to the patriarch”
The decision of the ROC Synod was made "due to the lack of an opportunity for an unhindered settlement of the situation of the Berdiansk eparchy by the UOC Synod."
On May 16, 2023, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to “receive the Berdiansk Eparchy under direct subordination” to Patriarch Kirill, the website of the Moscow Patriarchy reports. Also, the Russian Orthodox Church decided to appoint a new ruling bishop to the Berdiansk Eparchy.
The Synod substantiated its decision “in connection with the actual abandonment of His Grace Metropolitan Ephraim of Berdiansk and Prymorsk and the lack of an opportunity for an unhindered settlement of the position of the Berdiansk eparchy by the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in response to the appeal of the clergy of the Berdiansk eparchy.” The text of the message says that “Metropolitan Ephraim confirmed in a telephone conversation with the Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, His Grace Metropolitan Dionisiy of Voskresensk, that he was leaving the Zaporizhzhia region for far abroad.”
The ROC “received the Berdiansk Eparchy into direct canonical and administrative subordination to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, with the subsequent submission of this decision to the Council of Bishops for consideration.”
The Vicar of the Patriarch, Bishop Luka, was appointed the head of the Berdiansk Eparchy in Moscow.
It was also decided "to raise the names of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and His Grace of Bronnitsy in the Berdiansk eparchy at divine services."
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church transferred the Crimean eparchies of the UOC to “subordination to the Patriarch.”
