True Orthodox Church in Russia
| True Orthodox Church in Russia | |
| Acronym(s) | TOCiR |
| Origin | Catacomb |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Current primate | Met. Seraphim (Motovilov) |
| Headquarters | Moscow, Russia |
| Territory | Russia, Ukraine, Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil |
| Liturgical language(s) | Russian/local |
| Musical tradition | Slavonic |
| Bishops | 19 |
| Parishes | 117 |
| Monasteries | |
| Official website | www.ipckatakomb.ru |
True Orthodox Church in Russia (TOCiR) is a Russian catacomb church, which traces its history back to Decree No. 362 of Patriarch Tikhon after the rise of the Communists in Russia. Its current primate is Metropolitan Seraphim (Motovilov) of Moscow.
The church began in 1996 as legal jurisdiction with the help of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church under Patriarch Dimitri (Yarema). The UAOC consecrated John (Modzalevsky), and appointed him to lead the new RTOC. But a disagreement between Bishop John and the new RTOC synod led to a split, with the RTOC considering Bishop John defrocked. Patriarch Dimitri did not support the decision of the RTOC, and the two bodies ceased Eucharistic communion.
In 1997, a catacomb jurisdiction under Rafael Prokopyev/Motovilov (now Met. Seraphim) was received into the new RTOC, eventually being consecrated by Archbishop Stefan (Linitsky), Archbishop Ambrose (Katamadze), and Archbishop Moses (Khojavu).
On February 25, 1998, a Council of Bishops of the True orthodox churches was held in Moscow, which was attended by catacomb Bishops previously separated from the Church, as well as people from ROAC/FROC, Suzdal synod, and Valentinian synods. These Bishops expressed their desire to enter communion with Russian true orthodox church, entering into its structure with their dioceses, clergy and congregation. Bishops of the RTOC accepted them and included both structures in one Holy Synod of the RTOC.
A decision was made to establish a Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne and First Hierarch. At a meeting of the Synod of Bishops in the village of Sanino, three candidates were put forth: Met. Amvbrose (Katamadze), and Archbishops Arsiny (Kiselev) and Rafael. Archbishop Rafael was elected First Hierarch and soon thereafter elevated to the rank of Metropolitan.
However, this decision was not well received by Met. Ambrose and Apb. Arsiny, and three other Russian and two Georgian Bishops. When the new Metropolitan put forth the elevation of Hegumen Vyacheslav (Lisova), a split occured in the Synod of the RTOC. Soon after the split, Bishop Vyacheslav left and formed his own jurisdiction.
In 1999, owing to persecution from the separatist bishops, and not wishing to cause further fractions because of his election, Met. Raphael retired, and continued worship in his own home with some clergy.
In July 2003, at the "Unified Council of Bishops of the True Orthodox Church in Russia," several additional catacomb jurisdictions united, forming TOCiR, and elected Metropolitan Seraphim as "Metropolitan of Moscow" with which the title of "Patriarchal Locum Tenens". In 2005, his title was amended to "Archbishop of Moscow, Metropolitan of All-Russia" and elected "First Hierarch".
Since 2011, the True Orthodox Church in Russia is in communion with The Holy Metropolitan Synod of Genuine Orthodox Christians of the Patristic Calendar, and shortly thereafter with the Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of North and South America and the British Isles.
External Links
- True Orthodox Church in Russia (Official Site)
- TOCiR Blog (Official Blog)
- Ukraine Exarchate (Official)
- St John the Baptist Monastery (Official)
