Russian MiniLessons: Election of the Patriarch 

The following bilingual Russian MiniLesson is meant to build your vocabulary by providing Russian phrases within English text. Hover over the bold Russian to reveal its English translation.

In the 20th century, Русская Православная Церковьthe Russian Orthodox Church избирала Патриархаelected a Patriarch 5 times, and each time the elections procedure was different. However, выборыelection of the 16th Patriarch, which are scheduled for the end of January, will be held in accordance with the same procedure which was used in 1990 when Alexy II was elected as ПатриархPatriarch.

Первое выдвижение кандидатовthe first nomination of candidates to be considered for election will take place at Архиерейский собор'Council of Bishops' on January 25-26, 2009 in Moscow. This council, made up of the 190 bishops serving under the Moscow Patriarchate and representing dioceses from around the world, makes an initial selection of three candidates.

After that, Поместный собор meets. “Поместный собор” is usually translated as “The Local Council,” although that can be slightly misleading as it consists not of people from one locality, but rather an amalgamation of various representatives chosen locally in numerous locations around the world. This council, which in 2009 is expected to be attended by more than 700 delegates, is высший орган властиthe highest body of authority in Русская Православная ЦерковьThe Russian Orthodox Church.

Поместный собор will take place on January 27-29, 2009, and there архиереиbishops, священникиpriests и мирянеlaymen will elect the new Patriarch. The decision is made большинством голосовby majority vote and на закрытом заседанииat a closed meeting. Reforms made in 1990 allow the elections to be conducted by тайное голосованиеsecret vote and also give the Поместный собор the power to use what is known as “альтернативная система выдвижения кандидатов”an alternative system of nominating candidates, whereby, simply put, this larger delegation can put forward additional candidates for consideration before voting.

Each diocese (currently, there are 156 of them) elects three delegates to Поместный собор. Patriarchal parishes in the United States, Canada and Scandinavia will be represented by two delegates each. The official site for the Russian Church in the USA lists nearly 40 patriarchal parishes in the US. Also, a special delegate quota will be assigned to the 38 seminaries and the 25 monasteries that are directly managed by the Patriarch, so that these institutions will also be represented.

While the соборыcouncils have the power to nominate, there are many требованияrequirements that кандидат в патриархиa candidate for Patriarch post must meet. He should быть архиереем Русской православной церквиbe a bishop of Russian Orthodox Church; иметь высшее богословское образованиеhave a higher theological education, иметь опыт епархиального управленияhave experience in diocese management, иметь приверженность к каноническому правопорядкуmust have obeyed canonical law, иметь добрую репутациюhave good reputation и пользоваться доверием иерархов, клира и народаenjoy the confidence of bishops, the clergy and the people and быть не моложе 40 летto be not younger than 40 years old. Currently, there are more than 100 bishops in Russian Orthodox Church who satisfy these requirements.

ИнтронизацияThe coronation of new Patriarch is scheduled for February 1. Интронизация takes place during liturgy. Возведение новоизбранного патриарха на патриаршую кафедруThe coronation of the new Patriarch consists of a ceremony in which the Духовенствоclergy облачаетdresses him in патриаршие одеждыthe patriarchal clothes and вручаетhands him патриарший посохthe patriarchal staff.

The patriarch is elected пожизненноfor life. In the course of Russian history, no patriarch has ever voluntarily отрекался от престолаabdicated their position.

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