UNIFORM
REGULATIONS OF THE DEPENDENCY CHURCHES (METOCHIA)
SACRED
PATRIARCHAL AND STAVROPEGIAL
ORTHODOX
MONASTERY OF
ST. IRENE
CHRYSOVALANTOU
UNDER THE
JURISDICTION
OF
THE
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE
PART ONE
CHAPTER ONE
METOCHIA
(DEPENDENCIES)
Paragraph 1
Metochion is a real estate entity, which belongs to the sovereign
Monastery, usually a Sacred Church together with the supporting buildings
and other establishments. The Metochion functions under the supervision and
responsibility of the sovereign Monastery, as its annex, and it can provide
to the faithful Orthodox Christians, who can constitute an organized entity.
However, this organized entity, whichever it may be, does not mean that the
faithful communicants acquire the rights of the sovereign Monastery over the
Metochion. The acceptance by the faithful Metochion communicants of the
Priest thus appointed, shall have the meaning of the recognition and
acceptance by the Metochion, of the Uniform Regulations of the Metochia of
the Sacred Monastery, with the same validity and effectiveness as if the
present Uniform Regulations of the Metochion had officially been accepted by
the faithful who are religiously provided by the Metochion.
Paragraph 2:
With the supervision of the Sacred Monastery,
the Clergy, the Ecclesiastical Council and the members of the Metochion,
shall faithfully abide by the teachings, Canons, Worship, discipline,
constitution, Administrative regulations, the Encyclicals of the Eastern
Orthodox Church and to the adherence of the Orthodox calendar. The
non-conformity to the above is being met in accordance with the provisions
of the holy canons and decisions of the Ecumenical, Pan- orthodox and local
Synods. Moreover, the Metochion shall be bound by the resolutions of the
Clergy-Laity Conventions, irrespectively of whether the Metochion has been
represented in them or not, and by the decisions of the Abbot Council, which
are ratified by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Paragraph 3:
Each Metochion shall be known as the “Greek Orthodox Church (name)
..................... in ...............................(name of the town or
city and state), with the required addition of the definition as a Metochion
of the Sacred Monastery.
Paragraph 4:
In the event of doubt in the interpretation and the true meaning of the
Constitution of the Sacred Monastery, of the Holy Canons, the
Administrative, Worship and Liturgical Ecclesiastical customs, decrees,
regulations and Encyclicals, such doubt shall be referred to the Abbot for a
valid interpretation and in the case of more important matters to the
Ecumenical Patriarchate, through the Sacred Monastery.
CHAPTER
TWO
AIMS AND
PURPOSES OF THE METOCHION
Paragraph 1:
In the Metochion, the pure and genuine Orthodox faith is preserved and
proclaimed, the feasts and the Holy Services in general, are based on the
Greek Orthodox Calendar, the written and unwritten traditions, are strictly
followed, in accordance with the Doctrinal teachings, the Holy Canons, the
liturgical typicon, the obedience, and the customs and traditions in
general, of the Church.
Paragraph 2:
In each Metochion the following are provided to the faithful people:
a) The preaching the Gospel in accordance with the Orthodox Faith and
Tradition;
b) The blessing of its members by means of divine worship, holy liturgies
and sacraments;
c) The Increasing of its members through catechism and the admission of
other people to the Church through Baptism of Chrismation (Anointing),
according to their background, and in accordance to the firm directives of
the Mother Church, as they are implemented by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
d) The upbringing and education in the Orthodox Faith and - for Greek
nationals - the education of the Greek language through the establishment of
the necessary schools, for the Greek Orthodox flock.
e) The philanthropic support for the needy
people, through the establishing of the necessary charitable Institutions
and the development of conscientious philanthropic activities.
CHAPTER
THREE
PROPERTY
OF THE SACRED MONASTERY (METOCHION)
Paragraph 1:
Church and other Institutions, consisting the Metochion property are
being used exclusively in serving the religious, educational and charitable
needs of the Metochion faithful, always in accordance with the Canons of the
Church, the By-laws of the Sacred Monastery and the Laws of the State where
the Metochion is located.
Paragraph 2:
The Sacred Monastery shall exercise absolute authority and control over
the entire movable and immovable property of the Metochion.
Paragraph 3:
Metochia intending to purchase land to erect a Church or other Metochion
premises, or purchase buildings already existing, or intending to decorate
the Church with new Holy Icons and designs, shall notify the Abbot, by
submitting thereto through the Priest, who is presiding of the Council, the
Minutes of the local General Meeting of the faithful, which should provide
all pertinent information with respect to the land or buildings and their
location and the proposal for the work to be done, for approval. After the
initial approval they proceed with negotiations and final studies.
Paragraph 4:
Final plans and proposals for the acquisition of land or building or
serious alterations on existing buildings or for the decoration of the
Church with new Icons and designs shall be submitted to the Monastery
Council (Abbot-Council) by the Priest and the Presiding of the Parish for
approval before being implemented.
Paragraph 5:
The Metochion may purchase or mortgage or otherwise dispose its immovable
property pursuant to a written petition to the sovereign Monastery, after a
decision by the two thirds of the members present at a general Assembly of
the faithful, being specifically convened in writing, at least ten days
prior the meeting and, after the “sine qua non” written approval of such
decision by the Abbot Council of the sovereign Monastery, the Metochion can
proceed with the approved act.
Paragraph 6:
All special legacies, gifts and offerings to the Metochion shall
exclusively be used for the purpose for which they were made.
Paragraph 7:
In the event of lawful dissolution of the
Metochion, having its own organization (corporation), all the movable and
immovable property thereof, shall be conveyed to the Sacred Patriarchal and
Stavropegial Monastery of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou.
CHAPTER
FOUR
ADMINISTRATION OF THE METOCHION
Paragraph 1:
Each Metochion shall be administered by the Priest who presides over the
Ecclesiastical Council and he is the representative of the sovereign
Monastery, in accordance to the directives and guidance of the Monastery.
Paragraph 2:
The Priest, as the ecclesiastical head of the Metochion, supervises and
conducts the entire schedule of ecclesiastical activities and life and shall
be directly accountable on behalf of the Metochion, to the Supervising
Church Authority, i.e., at the first level, to the Sacred Monastery which
appointed him and, at a higher level, to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, under
the jurisdiction of which the Monastery is.
CHAPTER
FIVE
CLERGY
Paragraph1:
The Priest of the Metochion is selected from amongst the duly ordained
clergy, recognizing the Canonical Jurisdiction of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate, shall be properly appointed through an official instrument by
the Sacred Monastery and his main duty shall be to serve the Divine Liturgy
and the other Sacraments and Services of the Eastern Orthodox Church and,
through them, to sanctify and guide the life of the Metochion faithful.
The authority the Priest receives by the Abbot of the Sovereign Monastery
shall consist of:
a) Guiding, in a God loving manner, the Metochion entrusted in him by
being vigilant, particularly on its unity and dedication to its divine
purpose.
b) Sanctifying the faithful who visit and attend the services of the
Metochion by means of divine liturgy, Holy Sacraments and any other
worshiping service by performing these functions with the maximum Sacred
Ceremonial accuracy and Order.
c) Preaching the Divine word, interpreting the teachings, tradition,
rules and rituals of the Church, through which Christian conscience and life
is being fostered; and
d) Conducting zealously and in a manner befitting God the life of the
youth and the Christian faithful.
Paragraph 2:
The Priest shall be responsible for all the spiritual and administrative
matters, including the personnel (cantors and Choir), who are directly
involved with the ritual functions. He shall also maintain, Marriage,
Baptismal and Funeral record books, while observing for the proper
maintenance of the Metochion Registry.
Paragraph 3:
In case of transfer, dismissal or lay off, the Priest shall transfer to
his successor the administration, brief him on the current status of affairs
and hand over to him the inventory where the existing Holy Articles are
recorded, the Registry Records, and every other element that consists the
Metochion Archives.
Paragraph 4:
Each Metochion shall have one Priest only duly appointed by the
appointment letter of the Sacred Monastery and he shall be the president of
the Ecclesiastical Council. Any other clergyman of the Metochion shall be
considered as his assistant and not a co-priest.
Paragraph 5:
a) The Priest shall be appointed or transferred by the Abbot, with the
consent opinion of the Abbot Council, who has such a duty and right due to
his rank and according to the Holy Canons, the Ecclesiastical Order, in the
interest of the entire Church.
b) Prior to the appointment of the Priest (or his assistant) or the
transfer thereof, the Abbot Council communicates its decision to the
immediately concerned Ecclesiastical Council of the Metochion faithful
people.
Paragraph 6:
a) The compensation or salary of the Priest is subject to a certain
scale, regulated on the basis of qualifications, experience and ability. No
increase or decrease of the compensation or salary by the Ecclesiastical
Council shall be allowed without the prior consent of the Abbot Council.
b) A Priest becoming gravely ill during his service is entitled to full
compensation for a period of three months.
c) Priest assigned to a Metochion, shall
receive from the Treasury of the Metochion, all his transfer expenses and
when he travels to participate in meetings of the General Clergy-Laity
Conventions as well.
CHAPTER
SIX
LAYMEN
SERVED BY THE METOCHION
Paragraph 1:
The laymen, who are religiously served by the Metochion, are organized
according to the local laws to corporation, which can constitute a legal
entity (religious community).
Any person over 18 years of age, baptized according to the provisions of
the Greek Orthodox Church, and living according to the faith and canons of
the Church, shall be registered as an active member of the Metochion, with
the exception of those persons under 21 years old, who cannot serve as
members of the Ecclesiastical Council, when such service contravenes the
local Laws.
Subparagraph 1A: Each
Metochion shall have the right to present the title “HONORARY MEMBER” to
persons, providing great services or donations to the Church.
Paragraph 2:
No one shall be accepted as member of Christian Community of the
Metochion as long as he, nevertheless a Christian Orthodox, continues to
belong to a non Christian religious community, or to a non-Orthodox faith
community. Furthermore, a persons knowingly belonging to any sect or
non-canonical ecclesiastical organization and to unions of unknown origin or
faith, or to organizations with secret dogmas and secret hierarchy shall not
be accepted as a member or receive services from a Metochion of the Sacred
Monastery.
Paragraph 3:
Duties,
obligations and rights of the members of the Metochion:
a) The religious, moral and social duties of a member of the Metochion
community shall be as follows:
-
To
observe firmly the principles of the Orthodox faith in his thoughts and
actions;
-
To attend
regularly the Divine Liturgy and other services of worship of the
Church;
-
To keep
the Canons and fasts and the Church customs and practices of the
Orthodox Church;
-
To
participate frequently to the Sacraments of Penance (confession) and
Holy Communion;
-
To train
and teach his children according to the teachings and the spirit of
Orthodoxy;
-
To
respect the clergy, the ecclesiastical authority, the governing bodies
of the Church and the canonical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate;
-
To be
obedient in matters of faith and ecclesiastical Order;
-
To
observe the Calendar of Holidays, as followed by the Metochion, adjusted
to the Greek Orthodox Calendar.
-
To work
conscientiously for the welfare and progress of the community and the
success of its sacred mission.
b) The material obligations of the member of the community which environs
the Metochion shall be:
-
To pay voluntarily his membership fees in accordance with his financial
ability;
-
To respond promptly to special calls of the General Assembly of the
community for contributions for special community needs and to fulfill
his/her financial obligations to the Metochion, always according to
his/her financial abilities.
c) A such member enjoys the following rights:
-
To
attend all regular and special Community Assemblies of the Metochion and
express freely his opinion;
-
To
take part in the discussions and vote for or against the propositions;
-
To
be elected a member or Officer of the Ecclesiastical Council and in such
position to take part in the administration of the Metochion, up to the
permissible level;
-
To
represent, if elected, his Metochion in the Clergy-Laity Conventions of
the Sacred Monastery.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
METOCHION
COMMUNITY
Paragraph 1:
The General
Assembly of the members of the Metochion Community is the general meeting of
the members in good standing.
Paragraph 2:
The General
Assemblies of the members are convened by the Ecclesiastical Council at
least twice per year and the Ecclesiastical Council shall prepare the Agenda
and specify the day and time of the meeting. Special General Assemblies
shall be convened whenever the Priest who is the President and the
Ecclesiastical Council deem this necessary, or whenever at least ten per
cent (10%) of the active members submit a written application to the
Council, specifying the reasons that dictate a special meeting of the
members to a General Assembly.
Paragraph 3:
A written notification for a General Assembly
shall be announced in the Metochion Church during the Divine Liturgy and
posted in the Church at least ten (10) days prior to scheduled date for the
meeting and explicitly stating the issues on the Agenda. A report concerning
the announcement and the wall-posting of the notification is written.
Paragraph 4:
Newly
registered members, enjoy the same rights at the meetings of the General
Assembly provided that they have been active members of the Metochion at
least during the last three (3) months, prior to the meeting of the General
Assembly.
Paragraph 5: Quorum:
The General
Assembly of a Parish meeting shall be in quorum if and when the two thirds
of the number of members, or those provided by the local By-laws, are
present. In the event of no quorum having been formed, the General Assembly
is to be convened for a second time, without a new notification, within one
week, with the same agenda, at the same time and place, and this is
announced during the end of the first meeting which is adjourned, as well as
with an announcement posted in the Church. This Second General Assembly
shall be deemed in quorum irrespective of the number of members present,
with the exception in the event of discussion on issues relating to the
purchase, sale or lien on the immovable property of the Parish, when an
official quorum shall be required.
Paragraph 6: Chairman:
Chairman of
the General Assembly shall be sine qua non and ex-officio, the Priest who is
the President of the Ecclesiastical Parish.
Paragraph 7:
The Minutes
of the General Assembly are recorded in the Minute Book of the
Ecclesiastical Council and executed by the Priest and the Secretary of the
General Assembly and they are forwarded to the Abbot Council.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCIL
Paragraph 1:
a) The number of members consisting the Ecclesiastical Council shall be
determined by the local By-laws of the Metochion, in accordance with its
needs and number of members thereof. The Council shall be responsible for
the proper handling of the Ecclesiastical affairs, according to the aims and
purposes of the Metochion, as described in Chapter Two, (Part One) of the
present regulation.
b) Officers of the Ecclesiastical Council are: The President, the
Secretary and the Treasurer and as many others might be deemed necessary by
the General Assembly of the community of the Metochion.
Paragraph 2:
The members
of the Ecclesiastical Council shall be elected by the active and
conscientiously dedicated members of the community of the Metochion for a
three-year period, as far as it is permitted by the Law of the State. If the
specific details of the procedure of their election need to be supplemented,
the General Assembly or the local By-laws of the Metochion shall provide the
addendum. The electoral procedure shall be specified according to the
specific requirements of the Metochion, provided that this shall have to be
approved by the Abbot Council of the Sovereign Monastery. If no electoral
procedure has been approved, the subsequent regulations are followed.
Paragraph 3:
Candidates for the Ecclesiastical Council.
A member wishing to be a candidate for an Office in the Ecclesiastical
Council, must be an active member of the community of the Metochion, attend
regularly the Divine Liturgy, live in accordance with the teachings and the
Holy Canons of the Greek Orthodox Church. The judgment for the above belongs
to the President of the Ecclesiastical Council, and in case of objection,
the whole leaving Ecclesiastical Council decides. If there is still an
objection, the judgment of the Abbot Council of the Sovereign Monastery is
final.
CHAPTER
NINE
ELECTIONS
Paragraph 1:
Elections for
the Ecclesiastical Council shall be held preferably on one Sunday in the
month of November and the exact date shall be fixed, by the local By-Laws of
the community, or, in their absence, by the leaving Ecclesiastical Council.
The members of the Board of Elections are defined according to the Paragraph
1, Chapter Sixteen, Part One.
Paragraph 2:
Elections are
to be held at a place previously announced by the Board of Elections and
voting shall be by secret ballot. Voting shall begin after the end of the
Divine Liturgy and shall terminate at 5 p.m. on the same day.
Paragraph 3:
The election
results shall be entered into the Minute Books of the Ecclesiastical
Council, showing the number of votes cast for each candidate and shall be
signed by each member of the Board of Elections. The candidates receiving
the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected for the ensuing term.
In the case of a tie, the Board of Elections shall proceed with a drawing
between the candidates who received the same numbers of votes. The drawn
ticket will decide the winner.
Paragraph 4:
Any member of the community of the Metochion
participating in the elections may within three (3) days after such election
lodge a protest in writing against the validity of the elections, to the
Abbot Council through the Priest. Such protest shall be signed by at least
four members who voted in the election and co-signed by the Priest. The
decision on the acceptance or not of the protest shall be taken by the Abbot
Council and such decision shall be final.
CHAPTER
TEN
RATIFICATION OF ELECTIONS AND AFFIRMATION
Paragraph 1:
Within at
least five (5) days after the elections, the Priest shall forward the
results to the Sacred Monastery for review and ratification. The Priest,
through an attached there to letter, shall verify in written that all
candidates were qualified and that the elections were conducted according to
the regulations of the Sacred Monastery and the present Regulations.
Paragraph 2:
During the
last Sunday of the month of December and after ratification of the results
of the elections by the Sacred Monastery, after the end of the divine
liturgy, the Priest shall thank the members of the previous Ecclesiastical
Council for having completed their term of Office and there shall follow a
prayer during which all the newly elected members of the Ecclesiastical
Council shall take the Affirmation (Pledge) of Office to be recited by them.
Paragraph 3:
Each member
of the Ecclesiastical Council, without exception shall be obliged to take
the Affirmation of conscious service. The term of Office of the newly
elected members, shall commence immediately after the Affirmation taking,
which shall proceed as follows:
“I do solemnly affirm with fear and humility
before the Holy Trinity God that I will be faithful to the Dogmas, Teaching,
Tradition, Holy Canons, worship, and the moral principals of the (Greek)
Orthodox Church of Christ. Also, I shall absolutely respect the
Constitution, I shall obey to the regulations of the Sacred Monastery, the
Typikon and the calendar of Feasts of the Metochion, and I shall fulfill
faithfully and to the best of my ability, the duties deriving from the
Office I was elected to, so help me God”.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
ELECTION
OF ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCIL OFFICERS
Paragraph 1:
Following the
administering of Affirmation of Office, the Ecclesiastical Council shall be
convened immediately under the chairmanship of the Priest to elect the
Officers thereof, i.e. the Secretary, the Treasurer and whoever else deems
necessary in order to execute specific duties.
Paragraph 2:
The Office of
the President is held rightfully by the Abbot of the Sacred Monastery, who
is represented by the acting president, the Priest of the Metochion.
CHAPTER TWELVE
VACANCIES IN THE ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCIL AND THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Paragraph 1:
Offices in
the Ecclesiastical Council or the Audit Committee shall be declared vacant
by the Sacred Monastery when:
a) A member submits his resignation;
b) The election of a member is declared void;
c) Pursuant to judgment by the Abbot Council that a member ceased to be
dedicated to the Teachings, Holy Canons, Worship, Discipline, Typikon,
the Customs and Practices of the Greek Orthodox Church or the Constitution
and the Rules and Regulations of the Sacred Monastery and its Metochia
thereof;
d) The member is physically or mentally incapacitated.
Paragraph 2:
Unjustified
absence of a member of the Ecclesiastical Council from three (3) consecutive
meetings thereof, could result, after a decision of the Council, to his
relief from his duties. In that case that member is replaced by the first
runner up and so on.
Paragraph 3:
Vacancies in the Ecclesiastical Council or
the Executive Committee shall be filed by the Ecclesiastical Council after
invitation amongst the runners up or – in their lack or completion of the
runner up list - by choosing amongst the active and dedicated members of the
community of the Metochion, with the approval of the acting president of the
Council.
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
MEETINGS
OF Ecclesiastical COUNCIL
