By Kostas Onisenko
Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk indirectly prejudged the recognition of the so-called “relics of Ekaterinburg” as authentic.
According to some scholars, the relics that were found near the Russian city of Ekaterinburg are of the family of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II, who was assassinated in 1917 by the communists.
According to what Metropolitan Hilarion said on Saturday in his show, the issue is expected to be discussed at the Hierarchical Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church next November.
He clarified that the decision would be taken with the consent of the participants of the synod, who will be informed about the experts’ reports that had been carried on this issue.
The statement of Metropolitan Hilarion is as follows: “We are preparing for the Hierarchical Synod that will take place in mid-November this year.
In the Hierarchical Synod, we will discuss the authenticity of the relics of Ekaterinburg. There are many experts’ reports that have been carried out showing convincingly that the relics found near Ekaterinburg are the real relics of the Romanov family.
However, all the hierarchs must be informed about the results of these experts’ opinions so that the Church to recognize this.
I think that as soon as this briefing takes place—most likely at the November Hierarchical Synod—the authenticity of the Ekaterinburg relics will be recognized by the Church.
But let us not be in a hurry, let us not foretell the facts. The hierarchs are free to react to the information they receive.
So far, this information is available to a few, mainly to the members of the Holy Synod, because we have already discussed this issue in the Synod.
We have already heard the report of the representative of the research committee, we were informed of the results from the experts’ reports, but at the Synod, we did not make any decision.
This decision is of particular importance and will be made by the highest governing body of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Hierarchical Synod.”