Patriarch Kirill of Moscow confirmed the subordination of Archbishop John (formerly of Charioupolis) to the Russian Orthodox Church. John himself attempted to switch the parishes of the dissolved Exarchate in Europe under the Moscow Patriarchate.
Shortly after receiving the letter of release (apolytirion) from the Ecumenical Patriarchate last September, John was received by the Patriarchate of Moscow granting him the title of Archbishop of Dubna.
On Sunday, November 3, John’s joining into the Patriarchate of Moscow was made official with the concelebration with Patriarch Kirill at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. By coincidence, yesterday’s Divine Liturgy was also marked by the fact that the Patriarch of Moscow stopped commemorating Archbishop Ieronymos who was stricken off the Russian diptychs.
Patriarch Kirill handed the document of unity with Moscow to Archbishop John. This document provides for his canonical subordination to Moscow as well as the mandate to shepherd the clergy and faithful from diaspora parishes in Europe who did not agree – after the dissolution of the Exarchate – to join the local Metropolises of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
