1 Dec 2018 23:42

Disbanded Constantinople's Russian archdiocese refuses to dissolve immediately

PARIS. Dec 1 (Interfax) - Archbishop John of Charioupolis, the head of the Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox churches in Western Europe that the Synod in Istanbul disbanded earlier this week, intends to continue heading the archdiocese despite the Constantinople's decision.

"It is worth noting that in the canonical plan Archbishop John, as the head of the archdiocese, did not ask to change the status of the archdiocese or to resign. That is why he is continuing to be fully responsible for pastoral care of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe," the archdiocese's council said in a statement obtained by Interfax on Saturday.