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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