The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church convened on May 14, 2026, at the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in the Danilov Monastery in Moscow under the chairmanship of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.
Following the session, Vladimir Legoyda, Chairman of the Synodal Department for the Church’s Relations with Society and the Media, outlined the decisions adopted by the Synod, including matters related to Church administration and canonization.
According to Legoyda, the members of the Holy Synod heard a report by Patriarch Kirill concerning his recent primatial visit to the Kuban Metropolis.
Legoyda further stated that the Synod reviewed reports submitted by synodal institutions concerning their activities during 2025. Following discussion, the members approved the annual reports of the synodal departments and institutions.
The Holy Synod also confirmed the journals of the Synod of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Western Europe dated February 11, 2026, as well as the journals of the Synod of the Central Asian Metropolitan District dated March 17, 2026.
A significant part of the meeting was devoted to canonization matters. The Synod heard a report presented by Bishop Pankratiy of Troitsk, chairman of the Synodal Commission for the Canonization of Saints, regarding a petition submitted by Metropolitan Evgeny of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye for the inclusion of Monk Vladimir (Elizarov) in the Synaxis of the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church.
Following deliberations, the Holy Synod resolved to include the name of Monk Vladimir Elizarov in the official register of the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church. The Synod further decreed that, should his relics be uncovered, they are to be venerated as holy relics. It was also decided that icons of the newly glorified saint should be painted for veneration and that his name be added to the previously approved Synaxis of the Saints of Yekaterinburg and Perm.
The Synod also examined a petition submitted by Metropolitan Tikhon of Orel and Bolkhov regarding the inclusion of Afanasy Andreyevich Sayko in the Synaxis of the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church. The Synod resolved to include Afanasy Sayko, who reposed in 1967, among the confessors of the Russian Church.
According to the Synod’s decision, the honorable remains of Blessed Afanasy Sayko, should they be discovered, are likewise to be regarded as holy relics and accorded proper veneration. The Synod also authorized the painting of icons in his honor and added his name to the Synaxis of the Saints of Orel.
In addition, the Synod reviewed proposals concerning regional Synaxis of saints. Responding to a petition from Metropolitan Ioann of Yoshkar-Ola and Mari, the Synod approved the official register of the Saints of the Mari Metropolis and established the date for their commemoration.
The Synod also accepted a request from Metropolitan Feodosy of Samara and Novokuibyshevsk to supplement the Synaxis of the Saints of the Samara Metropolis with the name of Saint Gerasim (Dobrosedov), Bishop of Astrakhan, who led the Samara Diocese for eleven years and reposed in 1880.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
