The Letter Of First Hierarch Metropolitan Vitaly
To Archbishop Lazarus And Bishop Benjamin
The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
Under the omofor of His Eminence, Metropolitan Vitaly
23_/02/_
7/20 Aug. 2002
The Venerable Martyr Dometius the Persian
To the Most-eminent Lazarus',
Archbishop of Odessa and Tambov
To the Eminent Benjamin,
Bishop of the Black Sea and Kuban'
Your Eminences!
Reports have reached me that you have installed three new bishops. If this is truly so, then I, as the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, officially declare that these installations are uncanonical. Especially so, given the fact that the candidacy of these clergymen had not been submitted to all the hierarchs for discussion. As you know, questions concerning the installation of new bishops, their titles and the establishment of new eparchies can only be decided at Hierarchical sobors.
I ask you to refrain from committing any further errors. You will be additionally informed of the date for the forthcoming Hierarchical Sobor, at which a final decision will be made concerning the priests whom you have installed, but without their participation.
A sincere well-wisher of your salvation in Christ,
Metropolitan Vitaly (signature)
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