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THE CHURCH IN CLASSIS – SOUTH EAST OF RAVENNA
“You are Peter the stone, and upon the foundation rock of my body shall I raise my Church; the gates of Hades and its powers shall never overcome it for I bestow onto you the keys of the Kingdom which shall bind and loose accordingly!” (Mt 16: 1819)
These very words of the Lord who is the foundation rock of his Church (Ps 18:2) granting the apostolic college the keys of authority (Lk 10:19) via humility (Mt 18:2-4) sent them forth to all parts of the globe for the building of the kingdom after the Pentecost (Mk 6:20) confirming the New Testament Church as being the dwelling of grace, mercy and truth (Heb 4:16)
Therefore, the apostle Peter along with his disciple from Antioch - Apollinaris came onto the region of classis (62AD) in the time of Emperor Nero (37AD: 54 - 68AD) establishing the Church (Christian community) and later within Ravenna of Italy. Thus, apart from the See of Antioch, Peter the stone founded the See of Classis (a military and commercial port which many docked in from Judea) and Ravenna whilst Paul, Barnabas along with Mark established other Sees throughout Elder Rome and Italy.
St. Apollinaris who was consecrated shepherd (bishop) for Ravenna via the Apostle Peter was gifted in linguistics being fluent in Greek and Latin, he was also grace filled with the gift of healing and homiletics. Whilst he was still new to the town, he sought hospitality at which a pagan officer named Irenaeus offered him accommodation – not knowing who he was.
The officer had a blind son at which Apollinaris immediately prayed over to which sight was restored; this family became the first Christians of Ravenna under the pastoral care of their bishop. Similarly, there was another pagan military family – Thecla the wife of a Tribune who was a good friend of Irenaeus lay ill at which no physician could cure.
Thus, moment that Apollinaris began to pray, Thecla arose from her sickness and was restored; the family were the second to receive baptism; offering Apollinaris a room to celebrate the sacred mysteries. From that house church temple – Apollinaris ordained two presbyters Aderetus and Calocyrus along with two deacons for service to the people of Ravenna.
The jealousy of the pagan clergy began to fuel the fire of persecution resulting in various torments and exiles from the enemies of Christ and his Church. Yet, as the Lord affirmed: “the gates of Hades will not prevail!” Evangelization carried his mission for three consecutive years within the cities of Dalmatia, (Croatia) Pannonia, (Hungary) Thrace, (Region of: Turkey/Bulgaria/Greece) and Corinth (Greece) before he returned to Ravenna.
Again, the grace of the Holy Spirit working through him touched the lives of the locals at which the Governor Taurus who first sort to terminate the life of Apollinaris. Taurus had a baby boy who was born blind and whilst Apollinaris was dragged through the streets towards the pagan temple of Apollo – its statue crumbled to pieces and the governors son sight was restored; his family also received baptism.
The pagans became nervous and its priests were agitated that they would be out of work via people converting onto Christ; this won Apollinaris a martyrs crown (78AD) under the Vespasian (Emperor Vespasian 9AD: 69-79AD) persecutions where the pagan priests and their company sought to beat him to death….yet after some days as he lay in the fields, his people found him and sought to rehabilitate him which was not to be – imparting on them in his vulnerable state his final blessing.
BISHOPS OF CLASSIS
1. ST. APPOLINARIS OF ANTIOCH 62 – 78AD
2. ST. ADERITUS 78 – 98AD
3. ST. ELEUCADIUS 98 - 117AD
4. ST. MARCIANUS 117 - 132AD
5. ADMINISTRATION VIA COUNCIL OF PRESBYTERS 132 – 140AD
6. ST. CALOCERUS 140 – 163AD
7. ST. PROCULUS 163 – 176AD
8. ST. PROBUS I 176 - 175AD
9. ST. DATUS 175– 195AD
10. ST. LIBERIUS I 195- 218AD
11. ST. AGAPITUS 218 – 237AD
12. ST. MARCELLINUS 237 – 253AD
13. ADMINISTRATION VIA COUNCIL OF PRESBYTERS 253 – 308AD
14. ST. SEVERUS 308 – 348AD
15. ST. LIBERUS II 348 -348AD
16. ST. PROBUS II 348 – 362AD
17. FLORENTIUS 362 – 380AD
18. LIBERIUS III 380 – 399AD
19. ST. URSUS 399-426AD
20. ST. PETER CRYSOLOGUS 426 – 450AD
21. NEONE 450 – 473AD
22. EXUPERANTIUS 473 – 477AD
23. JOHN I 477 – 494AD
24. PETER II 494 – 519AD
25. AURELIAN 519 – 521AD
26. ECCLESIUS 522 – 532AD
BISHOPS OF RAVENNA
27. ST. URSICINUS 533 – 536AD
28. VICTOR 538 – 545AD
29. ADMINISTRATION VIA COUNCIL OF PRESBYTERS 545 – 546AD
30. MAXIMIANUS 546 – 556AD
31. AGNELLUS 556 – 569AD
32. PETER III 569 – 578AD
33. JOHN II 578 – 595AD
34. MARINIAN 595 – 606AD
35. JOHN III 607 – 625AD
36. JOHN VI 625 – 631AD
37. BONUS 631 – 644AD
38. MAURUS 644 – 671AD
39. REPARATUS 671 – 677AD
40. THEODORE 677 – 691AD
41. ADMINISTRATION VIA COUNCIL OF PRESBYTERS 691 – 692AD
42. DAMIAN 692 – 709AD
43. ST. FELIX 709 – 725AD
44. JOHN V 726 – 744AD
45. SERGIUS 744 – 769AD
46. ADMINISTRAYION VIA COUNCIL OF PRESBYTERS 769 – 770AD
47. LEO 770 – 777AD
48. JOHN VI 777 – 784AD
49. ADMINISTRATION VIA COUNCIL OF PRESBYTERS 784 – 785AD
50. GRATIOSUS 785 – 789AD
51. VALERIUS 789 - 810AD
52. MARTIN 810 – 818AD
53. PETRONACE 818 – 837AD
54. GEORGE 837 – 846AD
55. ADMINISTRATION VIA COUNCIL OF PRESBYTERS 846 – 847AD
56. DEUSDEDIT I 847 – 850AD
57. JOHN VII 850 – 878AD
58. ROMAN 878 – 888AD
59. ADMINISTRATION VIA COUNCIL OF PRESBYTERS 888 – 889AD
60. DEUSDEDIT I 889 – 898AD
61. JOHN VIII 898 – 904AD
62. ADMINISTRATION VIA COUNCIL OF PRESBYTERS 904 – 905AD
63. JOHN IX 905 – 914AD
64. CONSTANTINE 914 – 926AD
65. ADMINISTRATION VIA COUNCIL OF PRESBYTERS 926 – 927AD
66. PETER IV 927 – 971AD
67. ONESTUS 971 – 983AD
68. JOHN X 983 – 998AD
69. GILBERT 998 – 999AD
70. LEO II 999 – 1001AD
71. ADMINISTRATION VIA COUNCIL OF PRESBYTERS 1001 – 1002AD
72. FREDRICK 1002 – 1004AD
73. ETHELBERT 1004 – 1014AD
74. ARNOLDUS 1014 – 1019AD
75. ERIBERTUS 1019 – 1027AD
76. GERALD 1027 – 1044AD
77. WITGERUS 1044 – 1046AD
78. HUMFREDUS 1046 – 1051AD
79. JOHN 1051 (Apostolic Succession removed 1054AD) – 1072AD
80. SEDES VACANTES – THE GREAT SCHISM 1054AD
81. VOLODYMIR ROMAN 1995AD to the present!
THE CHURCH OF KIEV
Our ecclesial history and canonicity flows from the Great Church of Constantinople via the Succession of Apostle Andrew (38AD) bestowed on the newly established Church of Kiev (988AD) from Patriarch Nicholas V of Constantinople (984 -996AD) onto St. Michael the Syrian (988 – 992AD) Metropolitan of Kiev.
During the Mongol Tartar invasions, the apostolic see under Metropolitan (Bishop no 27) St. Maximus (1283-1305AD) moved from Kiev to Vladimir (1299AD), in order to flee the peril waged against the Church; the safeguarding of apostolic heritage and community. As time passed and jurisdictional competition accelerated, Metropolitans Sts. (Bishop no 28) Peter (1305-328AD) and (Bishop no 29) Theognostus (1328-1353AD) moved the See to Moscow – thus ratified via Constantinople (1589-1591AD) granting Autonomy.
METROPOLITANS OF KIEV
2. LEONTIUS 992 - 1008 AD
3. JOHNI 1008 – 1035 AD
4. THEOPEMPTUS 1035 - 1049 AD
5. CYRIL I 1049 – 1051 AD
6. ST. HILARION 1051 – 1055 AD
7. EPHRAIM 1055 – 1061 AD
8. GEORGE 1061 – 1073 AD
9. ST. JOHN II 1073 – 1089 AD
10. JOHN III 1089 – 1091 AD
11. ST. NICHOLAS 1091 – 1101 AD
12. NICHEPHORUS I 1101 - 1121 AD
13. NICETAS 1121 – 1127 AD
14. MICHAEL II 1127 – 1145 AD
15. CLEMENT 1145 – 1159 AD
16. ST. CONSTANTINE 1159 – 1160 AD
17. THEODORE 1160 – 1163 AD
18. JOHN IV 1163 - 1167 AD
19. CONSTANTINE II 1167 – 1169 AD
20. MICHAEL 1169 – 1182 AD
21. NICHEPHORUS II 1182 - 1198 AD
22. MATTHEW 1198 - 1220 AD
23. CYRIL II 1220 - 1237 AD
24. JOSEPH 1237 – 1240 AD
25. PETER I AKEROVICH 1240 - 1245 AD
26. ST. CYRIL III 1245 - 1283 AD
27. ST. MAXIMUS 1283 - 1305 AD
28. ST. PETER 1305 - 1328 AD
29. ST. THEOGNOSTES 1328 - 1353 AD
30. ST. ALEXIUS 1353 – 1362 AD
31. MICHAEL MYTIAY (locum tenens) 1362 - 1381 AD
32. ST. CYPRIAN 1381 – 1382 AD
33. PIMEN 1382 – 1384 AD
34. ST. DYONISIUS 1384 – 1409 AD
35. ST.PHOTIUS 1409 - 1431 AD
36. GERASIM 1431 - 1434 AD
37. ISIDORE 1434 – 1441 AD - Severed ties with Holy Orthodoxy and joined Heterodox Rome.
THE CHURCH OF KIEV UNDER THE YOKE OF COMMUNISM
When Vladimir Lenin (1917 – 1927 AD) separated Church and State under the auspices of the Bolshevik Revolution: the status of the Church along with her properties were ripped away – the repeat of the English Reformation (1509 – 1547AD) under Cromwell.
Furthermore, Joseph Stalin (1924 -1953 AD) sought to wage war against her (the Church) via the organization of a purge (1936 – 1937 AD) such resembled the slaying of the Holy Innocents under the Tyranny of Herod the Great (1 AD) the annihilation of clergy that were executed in their own church temples.
During the (Nikita) Khrushchev administration (1953 – 1964 AD), religious education was banned in schools and prayers along with any public reverence was completely forbidden. In addition, the rise of Perestroika which was the reformation of the Communist party (1980 – 1991 AD) – decreed that any zealot uprising would be fiercely eradicated; many people were falsely accused.
Therefore, Metropolitan (bishop no- 16) IOVAN BODNARCHUK who was Locum Tenens of Kiev within the Autocephalous Church along with his brother bishops restored the patriarchy via enthroning the newly mitred patriarch (bishop no- 17) MYSTYSLAV SKRYPNYK.
Thus in 1990AD the consecration of the saintly metropolitan and patriarch (bishop no- 18) ST. VOLODYMIR ROMANIUK as bishop of Lviv and Sokal took place. Therefore, Metropolitan Philaret Denysenco (Locum Tenens) decided to side with the Bishop of Liviv and Sokel: St. Volodymir, via a well-organized Holy Synod which would canonically proclaim a patriarch and its patriarchate in the cathedral church of Santa Sophia. Yet the Holy Spirit lives, moves and sanctifies his Holy Church despite the hearts of men; the synod chose St. Volodymir as opposed to Philaret.
METROPOLITANS OF KIEV IN YEARS OF PERESCUTION
1. ST VOLODYMIR KHRAPOVITSKY 1915 – 1918 AD
2. ANTHONY KHRAPOVITSKY 1918 – 1919 AD
3. NAZARIUS BLINOV 1919 – 1921 AD
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4. MICHAEL YERMAKOV 1921 – 1925 AD
5. GEORGE DELIEV 1925 - 1928 AD
6. MACARIUS KARAMZIN 1924 – 1925 AD
7. SERGIUS KUMINSKY 1925 – 1930 AD
8. DEMETRIUS VERBITSKY 1930 – 1932 AD
9. SERGIUS GRISHIN 1932 – 1934 AD
10. CONSTANTINE DYAKOV 1934 – 1937 AD
11. ALEXANDER PETROVSKY 1937 – 1938 AD
12. NICHOLAS YARUSHEVICH 1941 – 1944 AD
13. PANTALEIMON RUDIK 1941 – 1943 AD
14. JOHN SOKOLOV 1944 – 1964 AD
15. JOASAPH LELIUKHIN 1964 – 1966 AD
16. IOVAN BODNARCHUK 1929 - 1994 AD (Locum Tenens)
17. MSTYSLAV SKRYPNYK (Presiding Hierarch of the American Ukrainian Church) 1949 –1990 AD (Patriarch of Kiev) 1990 – 1993 AD
18. ST. VOLODYMIR ROMANIUK (exiled as a political prisoner) 1944 – 1987 AD (Patriarch of Kiev) 1993 – 1995 AD
19. PHILARET DENYSENKO (Metropolitan of Kiev under Moscow) 1966 - 1995 AD (Patriarch of Kiev) 1995 AD to the present!
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF WESTERN EUROPE AND CANADA
In December of 1993AD the Holy Synod of Kiev under patriarch St. Volodymir established: The Ukrainian Archdiocese of Western Europe and Canada bestowing thus the canonical right of an Autonomous Eparchial Synod!!! Hence, St. Volodymir granted a Tomos to the Newly Established Synod of Western Europe and Canada under (bishop no- 1) EVLOGHIOS HESSLER.
Moreover, when St. Volodymir reposed in the Lord, Metropolitan Philaret became the administrator of the Church of Kiev. Therefore, it was his duty to call a conclave via informing the College of Apostles (bishops of the Church) that the patriarch reposed and a new one was to be elected.
Hence the Synodal Members of Western Europe and Canada were invited to the Patriarchal Election despite the degrading of title towards its Metropolitan Primate. Hence, the Synodal Delegation present were: (bishop no- 1) EVLOGHIOS HESSLER, (bishop no- 6) BASILIO GRILLO MICELI, and (bishop no- 7) VOLODYMIR ROMAN who was appointed Secretary General.
In addition, (bishop no- 7) VOLODYMIR was consecrated also in 1995 AD by (bishop no- 1) EVLOGHIOS, (bishop no- 3) VIRGIL, and (bishop no- 6 BASILIO, whilst (bishop no- 11) TEODORO was consecrated in 2004AD by (bishop no- 7) VOLODYMIR, and (bishop no- 6) BASILIO.
Yet when (bishop no- 19) Patriarch PHILARET ceased ties with (bishop no- 1) EVLOGHIOS for accepting American bishops against his (Patriarch Philaret) ruling, there was no canonical citation nor patriarchal charge that the Synod had been dissolved! Hence, Evloghios concluded that Apostolic Succession remained regardless; forming another entity entitled: THE SYNOD OF AQUILEA in 1997 AD.
Furthermore, the only two canonical bishops that remained hereafter were Metropolitan Volodymir and Metropolitan Basilio. In addition, in 1997AD via the will and good faith of Metropolitan Basilio – Metropolitan Volodymir was asked to assume the position of Locum Tenens till 2004AD. In that same year, Metropolitan Volodymir was canonically elected the presiding Metropolitan via the consensus of both Metropolitan Basilio and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church!
Therefore, (bishop no- 7) VOLODYMIR assumed the cathedra of presidency from St. Julius as primate of the Elder Synod within the company of (bishop no- 6) BASILIO. Yet, in 2004AD the Holy Synod raised a new member: (bishop no- 11) TEODORO. This very Title and Tomos are held by the current Metropolitan Primate (bishop no- 7) VOLODYMIR ROMAN who is Exarch of Ravenna and safeguards his canonical status against the bickering ecclesial siblings!
BISHOPS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE
1. EVLOGHIOS HESSLER – ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN 1984 (received in 1993) – 2019 AD
2. GREGORY – ARCHBISHOP OF TURIN 1984 (received in 1993) – 1919 AD
3. VIRGIL – ARCHBISHOP OF PARIS 1987 – 2000 AD
4. LAZAR PUHALO – ARCHBISHOP OF OTAWA 1990 AD to the present (now part of OCA)
5. VARLAM – BISHOP OF VANCOVER 1994 – 2020 AD (joined the OCA)
6. BASILIO GRILLO MICELI – BISHOP OF OSTIA – then bishop of Altinus 1995 – 2005 AD (Primate of Italy) 2009 – 2021AD
7. VOLODYMIR ROMAN - BISHOP OF ST. JULIUS ISLAND 1995 AD to the present (now Primate of W E Synod)
8. MICHAEL – BISHOP OF LIONE 1996 AD to the present (the coordinator who rules from a distance)
9. LORENZO – BISHOP OF TORCELLO 1996 AD to the present (followed the bishop of Lione who ordered a sabbatical)
10. JOHN – BISHOP OF ARLES (FRANCE) 1997 AD to the present (retired)
11. TEODORO CORINO – BISHOP OF HERACLEA 2004 AD to the present (Joined the Italian Synod)
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ST JULIUS IN CLASSIS
St. Julius of Novara (330-401 AD) “the title the Latins gave him” as he was not a mere friar and priest, but a bishop of Holy Orthodoxy, came from the Greek island of Aegina. He was a contemporary of the two fellow hierarchs and theologians of the Church Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus who studied at the Theological School of Athens together with him. Hence, Julius was consecrated bishop of Aegina by Clematius the Bishop of Athens whilst his brother Julian was ordained to the diaconate.
Considering the Goth invasion and the contempt Alaric I had for Christians in general, the saintly brothers took flight to Northern Italy in 380 AD. Thus as protocol prescribed, they petitioned the successor to Flavius Valens Emperor Theodosius I (347 – 395 AD) and the Bishop St. Ambrose of Milan (340 – 397 AD) for refuge at which both state and canonical authorities much obliged. Hence, St. Ambrose created a diocese in the pagan area known as Orta – appointing them for service to the gentiles.
Regarding the building of churches; St. Julius and his brother St. Julian built 100 temple churches throughout their mission when they came to the regions of the newly established diocese in north-western Italy (Piedmont) Here they evangelized the populace who received them gladly - for their sanctity and devotion touched the hearts of the people there.
Towards the end of their ecclesial mission, they withdrew to the Island of Kousion upon Lake Orta and built a small monastic church consecrated to the Apostles Peter and Paul. Hence, it was there where they observed a life of prayer and asceticism and were entombed within its crypt by the Christians of the Island and its surroundings.
This ancient Island was rendered sacrosanct via the labours of the two brother saints: Julius and Julian, and in time was thus appointed to His Grace Volodymir Roman when he was consecrated its bishop on the 19th of December 1995 AD under the omophorion of Patriarch Philaret of Kiev. Hence in 2012 AD he was recognized with the title of Archbishop of St. Julius and Classis – in agreement with the sister churches: the new Metropolitan of Western Europe and Canada.
CLARIFICATIONS AND TRUTHS REGARDING OUR ECCLESIAL HISTORY
His Holiness Patriarch Volodymir Romaniuk established the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Western Europe and Canada in December 1993AD – almost 30 years ago; for service to the Ukrainian diaspora!
There seems to be somewhat confusion between the “Milan Synod” and our Ukrainian Archdiocese of Western Europe and Canada: from the 20th of February of 1997AD - these two realities are thus two completely different entities!
Hence, the Synod of Milan and Aquileia was created by the former and reposed Metropolitan of Milan (Evlogios Hessler) immediately after the canonical relationship between he and the Patriarch of Kiev fragmented on the 20th February of 1997AD as previously mentioned above.
Yet, the Archdiocese of Western Europe and Canada continued its canonical existence – remote from all ecclesial upheavals of the time from December of 1993AD along with its two bishops; safeguarding the mission of the Archdiocese (as proved in the patriarchal bull and canonical epistles of 1997 to 1998AD between the patriarch and the two bishops: Metropolitan Basilio of Ostia and Metropolitan Volodymir of St. Julius) in remaining part of the autonomous metropolis!
Therefore, this synod has 9 bishops along with various parishes and monasteries throughout Western Europe and Canada – exclusively at the service of the Diaspora. Thus, when the Patriarchate of Kiev still existed canonically speaking (dissolved in 2018AD) ceased canonical relations with the sole Metropolitan of Milan.
Yet, the Patriarchate never annulled its canonical relationship with the Synod of Western Europe and Canada, for it continued to honour the Tomos (decree) bestowed upon the Synod – remaining an active canonical entity along with its autonomous ecclesial rights of direction as decreed!
Furthermore, the Holy Canons do not express themselves regarding the possibility of a Mother Church to withdraw a Tomos (Decree) of autonomy or autocephaly. (A fact that is absent in all of ecclesial history) Such laws prescribe that: when a Metropolitan is excluded from the Holy Synod, (should the Metropolitan dishonour the Tomos – the Patriarch intervenes) thus, presidency of that very synod is awarded/passes to the most senior hierarch of the synod (i.e.: Metropolitan Basilio) whilst the former Metropolitan’s right to elect and consecrate bishops in the name of the Church is withheld!
Such rights remained with the remainder of the synodal bishops – Vladika Basilio (deceased) and his Eminence Metropolitan Volodymir of St. Julius Island. Having stated thus, no Synod of Milan or Metropolis of Aquileia may ever substitute the Holy Synod which the saintly Patriarch Volodymir established along with the rights of its bishops which have never been excommunicated or vacated the Autonomous Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada.
Moreover, the original copy of the Sacred Tomos was bestowed in the very hands of the Metropolitan of Milan on the 14th March in 1994AD for these inscribed upon the holy parchment represented the Holy Synod. Thus, on the 20th February of 1997AD the Metropolitan of Milan should have fulfilled his canonical duty in handing over that very Tomos to the Holy Synod; failing to do so via withholding thus as if it were a personal document!
Hence, due to such canonical violations, the Holy Synod of the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Western Europe and Canada possesses a copy of the sacred original; yet the original is in the personal possession of the bishop of the Metropolis of Aquileia and his entourage.
Hence, reaffirming the canonicity and continuation (as thus was never dissolved) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Archdiocese of Western Europe and Canada, the Archdiocese is now more alive and active than ever through the protection of the Mother of God, the intercessions of our saints and in particular, through the prayers of our saintly Patriarch Volodymir Romaniuk whose desire of service to the diaspora was close to his heart.
Further, the two bishops of the ancient synod under the patronage of Patriarch Volodymir Romaniuk – Metropolitan Vassiliji (Basilio - who reposed on the 19th December 2021AD) and Metropolitan Volodymir of St. Julius remain canonically sound within the Holy Synod which was never dissolved nor tarnished; a grace from God and an irony of fate!
Therefore, all that which came to pass has in actual fact allowed the survival of the diaspora of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – according to the will of the saintly Patriarch Volodymir Romaniuk! Hence, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Diaspora lives in the Archdiocese of Western Europe and Canada, within its Eparchies, Monasteries and Parishes.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate has bestowed autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine and further maintained a rather aggressive tone towards the diaspora! The Ukrainian Orthodox Archdiocese of Western Europe and Canada declines from casting stones towards the concept of the Great Church – embodied in the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The clear fact of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is that it has never desired to dialogue with the two canonical bishops of the Archdiocese – Metropolitans Basilio and Volodymir; notwithstanding then several attempts made in fraternal wholeheartedness!
In conclusion, the Autonomous Ukrainian Church of Western Europe and Canada continues in providing service in Holy Orthodoxy via true discipleship to the mandate bestowed her via the saintly Patriarch of Kiev His Holiness Volodymir Romaniuk.
Thus, the 9 bishops that compose the body of the Holy Synod of the Autonomous Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada – within the 1993AD Patriarchate of Kiev were all consecrated in the Apostolic Succession of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad via the hands of Metropolitan Basilio and Metropolitan Volodymir who were its last bishops!
The Holy Synod affirms that there is no relationship with our Apostolic Succession – consecrations within the Autonomous Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada to the Apostolic Succession of Patriarch Philaret who was anathematized by Orthodox Christendom on the 23rd February in 1997AD which stands till this very day – a controversy within the Church!
THE BISHOPS OF OUR HOLY SYNOD
1. VOLODYMYR ROMAN OF ST. JULIUS – Locum Tenens (1997 -2004AD) PRIMATE OF WESTERN EUROPE AND CANAIDIA 2004 AD to the present.
2. RAFFAELE ROSSI - Locum Tenens, Vice President, Metropolitan of Melbourne and Archbishop of Laus Pompeia, Australia and New Zealand. 2022AD to the present.
3. NICHOLAS OF St. GALLUS ERECLEIA – Archbishop 2022AD to the present.
4. EUGENE – METROPOLITAN OF SPAIN 2012 AD to the present
5. VLADIMIR OF MONTENEGRO - EXARCH OF GERMANY 2020 AD (received in 2021 AD) to the present
6. TIMOTHY - METROPOLITAN OF SYRACUSE 1985 AD (From the Jerusalem Patriarchate) to the present (retired)
7. MATTHEW Vitale – Bishop Elect and Vicar General 2022AD
8. CYRIL – Bishop Elect of Quebec 2022AD
9. NICHOLAS – Bishop Elect of Canada 2022AD
10. BASIL – Bishop Elect of France 2022AD
11. MARK – Bishop Elect of Australia 2022AD
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND ON EARTH PEACE AMONGST HIS CHURCH!
+Raffaele
Metropolitan Archbishop
