The Journal of the Holy Synod regarding the confirmation of Bishop Konstantin of Zaraisk in the role of Patriarchal Exarch of Africa

On the 12^th of March, 2024 at the Patriarchal and Synodal residence at St. Daniel’s Monastery in Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ headed the current session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

JOURNAL No. 30

JUDGED the decision of the Synod of the Alexandrian Patriarchate regarding the “defrocking” of the acting Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Bishop Konstantin of Zaraisk.

For reference:

On the 16^th of February, 2024, the Synod of the Alexandrian Patriarchate made a decision “defrocking” the acting Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Bishop Konstantin of Zaraisk

Previously, in November 2022, the Alexandrian Orthodox Church “defrocked” Metropolitan Leonid of Klin, who at that time was head of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. At the session of December 29, 2022 (Journal No. 136), the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, taking into account the de facto deviation into schism of Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria, as well as the generally accepted principle that clergy of one autocephalous church are not to be judged by the ecclesiastical court of another decided to “consider the decision of the Synod of the Alexandrian Patriarchate regarding the “defrocking” of the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Leonid of Klin and all other similar decisions regarding clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church as being without canonical force and invalid.”

DECREED:

1 To consider the decision of “defrocking” the acting Patriarchal Exarch of Africa Bishop Konstantin of Zaraisk, passed by the Synod of the Alexandrian Patriarchate, to be illegal and invalid.

2 To confirm Bishop Konstantin of Zaraisk as the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa.