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
Paragraph 1:
The
Ecclesiastical Council shall hold regular meetings at least once each month
and special meetings whenever the Priest, or the majority of the Council
shall deem it necessary.
Paragraph 2:
A presence of
more than one half of the members of the Ecclesiastical Council shall
constitute a quorum enabling the Council to transact business and adopt
resolutions.
Paragraph 3:
The minutes
of the meetings of the Ecclesiastical Council shall be entered into the
Minute Book, and shall be signed by the Priest, as the acting President, and
the Secretary of the Ecclesiastical Council.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
DUTIES OF
THE Ecclesiastical COUNCIL
Paragraph 1:
The Ecclesiastical Council shall have the
following duties:
a) Participate
in the sacramental life of the Church thereby setting an imitation example
for the faithful;
b) Administer
the affairs of the Metochion as they are entrusted to it by the Sacred
Monastery and the affairs of the community of faithful, in such responsible
manner, as to have the Sacred Monastery assured for the accomplishment of
the Monastery’s aims and purposes thereof;
c) See
to the increase of the financial sources of the Metochion through moral
means, record the collections of the Church in special accounting Book and
see to the payments by check of the financial obligations of the Metochion
both against the personnel and against the Sacred Monastery as specified by
the every five-year Clergy Laity Conventions.
d)
Purchase, sell
or mortgage the immovable property of the Metochion, as provided in Part
One, Chapter Three, Paragraph 2 to 5 of this present Constitution, i.e.,
under the prerequisite of the approval by two-thirds majority of the General
Assembly, together with the approval of the Abbot Council of the sovereign
Monastery and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, according to the Constitution of
the sovereign Monastery;
e) Submit
annually to the Sacred Monastery the Budget of the Metochion, a Progress
Report and an Annual Financial Statement.
Paragraph 1A:
The
Ecclesiastical Council has the right to maintain at the office of the
Metochion only the amount of two hundred ($200.00) dollars in cash, of the
equivalent in another currency, in meeting special needs, without
authorization. If payment shall exceed the amount of fifty ($50.00) dollars,
then payment shall be made by check.
Paragraph 2:
All the
Metochion personnel, including schoolteachers, are hired by the
Ecclesiastical Council with the consent and approval of the Abbot Council of
the Sacred Monastery.
Paragraph 3:
In the event
of a dispute in the Ecclesiastical Council on serious matters concerning the
personnel, on which the Ecclesiastical Council shall be unable to find a
solution by itself, an appeal shall be submitted to the Abbot of the
sovereign Monastery and his decision, approved by the Abbot Council, shall
be final.
Paragraph 4:
Upon the expiration of its term of Office,
the Ecclesiastical Council shall surrender to the new Council all records,
including membership lists, Minute Books, checkbooks, Deposits and Loan
Records and in general everything relating to the property of the Metochion.
Such transfer shall be achieved by formal written document letter, copy of
which shall be forwarded to the Sacred Monastery.
Paragraph 5:
The
Ecclesiastical Council and its Officers may exercise additional authority
consonant with the present regulations and the Constitution of the Metochion,
always within the provisions of Public and State Laws.
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
BOARD OF
ELECTIONS
Paragraph 1:
The Board of
Elections consist of three (3) or five (5) members, elected at the last
General Assembly of the Metochion, preceding an election, by raising hand
vote, from among those who are not candidates for election to the
Ecclesiastical Council or the Audit Committee.
Paragraph 2:
The Board of
Elections, shall, in cooperation with the Priest and the Ecclesiastical
Council check the list of candidates, notify all active members on the place
and date of the elections, as it has written before, supervise the elections
and tabulate the lists of results which shall be recorded and signed in the
Minute Book of the Ecclesiastical Council.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
THE AUDIT
COMMITTEE
Paragraph 1:
The Audit Committee is consisted of three (3) or five (5) members,
elected during the elections for the Ecclesiastical Council.
Paragraph 2:
A member of the Audit Committee cannot serve at the same time in the
Ecclesiastical Council.
Paragraph 3:
The Audit Committee has the firm duty to regularly examine the Accounting
Books of the Council and the issue a Report, in duplicate, and submit it to
the General Assembly of the Metochion Community. On copy of the Report is
kept in the Archives of the Metochion, and the other copy is submitted to
the Abbot Council, through the Priest and the Secretary.
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
FISCAL
YEAR, FINANCIAL REPORT AND BUDGET
Paragraph 1:
The Metochion
Fiscal year starts on January 1st and ends on December 31st of the same
year.
Paragraph 2:
At the first
General Assembly of the members of the Metochion Community, the
Ecclesiastical Council shall present the financial Report and Account for
the preceding year and the Budget of the ensuing fiscal year.
Paragraph 3:
The Budget of the Metochion provides for
following:
a) Financial
contributions to the Sacred Clergy and Church Institutions personnel
Retirement Fund, as soon as this is set up;
b) Allocation
of funds to cover travel and other expenses for the dignified representation
of the Metochion at the General Clergy-Laity Convention of the Sacred
Monastery of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou;
c) “Logia”
(annual financial) contribution towards the Sacred Monastery and through the
Monastery towards the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Paragraph 4:
a) The
Sacred Monastery together with its Metochia annually sends its “logia” to
the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to support Its High Mission. The “logia” is
determined between the Monastery and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople.
b) Without
exception and under any circumstances, all the Metochia must pay their
“logia” to the Sacred Monastery, in order for the Monastery to respond on
time to its profound obligations.
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
METOCHION
ORGANIZATIONS
Paragraph 1:
All Metochion
Organizations shall be under the strict supervision of the Priest.
Paragraph 2:
Each
Community of the Metochion faithful shall have a Ladies Philoptochos
Society, a Youth Organization (kind of Sunday School) and Organizations,
which shall be deemed as useful in the better spiritual development of the
community of the faithful of the Metochion.
Paragraph 3:
Regulations
governing these Organizations shall conform with the spirit of the Uniform
Regulations of the Metochia and the Constitution of the Sacred Monastery.
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
DISSOLUTION OF THE METOCHION
Paragraph 1:
In the event
that the Ecclesiastical Council finds itself in the position of inability to
continue to function the Metochion, because the number of faithful was
significantly decreased or because of lack of financial resources, the
Council refers immediately the matter to the Sacred Monastery, which takes
over the situation.
Paragraph 2:
In case of
the dissolution of the Metochion, i.e. abolition of the legal entity
(corporation) of the Orthodox Christian Community of the Metochion faithful,
or the legal entity (corporation) of the Metochion itself, if there is a
different one, the administration of the Metochion and its depended
Institutions and Organizations, is assumed by the sovereign Monastery, which
owns the property, with the appointment of representative trustees.
PART TWO
CHAPTER
ONE
ORGANIZATION OF NEW METOCHIA
Paragraph 1:
New Metochia
shall be organized as follows:
a) A
group of Christians, wishing to organize a Metochion, shall file with the
Sacred Monastery an application signed by all, asking for a permission to
organize;
b) This
application shall be signed by the heads of at least 10 heads of Greek
Orthodox families and detail the reasons, which in their opinion, dictate
the organization of a new Metochion;
c) Upon
receipt of the application, the Abbot shall visit in person and examine on
the spot, the needs and the possibility for the establishment of a
self-supporting Metochion;
d) The
Abbot shall refer the whole affair in writing and attach thereto the
application of the immediately concerned faithful to the Abbot Council;
e) Within
a week, the Abbot-Council shall submit its report to the Ecumenical
Patriarchate, which on the basis thereof, shall decide if permission shall
be granted to the applicants for establishing a new Metochion;
f) In
the event of a positive decision, the representative of the Abbot shall call
the applicants to a General Meeting under his chairmanship. An appointed
Secretary by the acting president shall take the minutes of the Meeting.
This General Meeting shall be convened with the purpose of voting upon the
acceptance of the "Articles of Agreement” and the Constitution and the
Uniform Regulations of the Metochia and the Sacred Monastery;
g) After
the conclusion of the General Meeting, a provisional Ecclesiastical Council
shall be elected to handle the Metochion affairs until the Council is fully
organized and the Uniform Regulations of the Metochion and the Constitution
shall come into force. Then, the permanent Ecclesiastical Council shall be
elected as provided in Chapter Ten;
h) Ecclesiastical
Recognition is issued by the Sacred Monastery only when the aforesaid
conditions are met, after which the Monastery shall appoint a permanent
Priest.
i)
The Priest and
the Ecclesiastical Council under the Ecclesiastical Recognition, proceed
to the formalities required for the establishment and recognition of the
Metochion as a legal entity (incorporation), in accordance with the State
Laws, by submitting to the respective Authorities the Official Document of
the Ecclesiastical Recognition by the Sacred Monastery.
CHAPTER
TWO
REORGANIZATION OF METOCHIA
Paragraph 1:
Metochia of
the Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of Saint Irene
Chrysovalantou, which for any reason had not been organized in accordance
with the Regulations of the Sacred Monastery thereof, must execute "The
Articles of Agreement between the Sacred Monastery and the Metochion”, and
vote to adopt the Uniform Regulations and Constitution of the Metochia. In
that case they are qualified for the Official Ecclesiastical Recognition by
the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Paragraph 2:
Metochia
enjoying the Ecclesiastical Recognition may, if necessary, reorganize in
accordance with the requirements of the State Laws. In case of a discrepancy
between the terms of the Ecclesiastical Recognition and the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Parish, the opinion of the legal Counselor of the
Sacred Monastery shall be asked for.
Paragraph 3:
Until such Certificate of Incorporation is
amended as above stated, the Metochion shall be fully bound to the
Constitution, the Canons, the Uniform Regulations of the Metochia and the
orders of the Sacred Monastery with the same force and effect, as if the
amendment were fully recited there in.
PART
THREE
GENERAL
CLERGY-LAITY CONVENTIONS
AND THE
ABBOT-COUNCIL
CHAPTER
ONE
THE EVERY
FIVE YEARS CLERGY-LAITY CONVENTION
OF THE
SACRED PATRIARCHAL MONASTERY
Paragraph 1:
The every
five years Clergy-Laity Convention consists of the following parties, each
party having the right of one vote:
a) The
Abbot of the sovereign Monastery;
b) The
Chief Secretary of the Abbot-Council;
c)
The Priest of
each Metochion;
d) One
lay member as a representative of the Ecclesiastical Council of each
Metochion;
e) The
members of the Abbot-Council of the Sovereign Monastery;
f) The
Directors of the Sacred Monastery belonging Institutions;
g) A
Representative, appointed by His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch,
after on time invitation, represents the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the
Clergy-laity Convention. The appointed representative is present without the
right to vote; he has the right to speak on any matter, expressing his
opinion or suggesting the observing of the holy canons and regulations or
taking decisions in case of disagreements, which are referred to him. If
his decision is not received and a common accepted solution cannot be found,
the matter is referred to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for definite judgment
and decision.
.
Paragraph 2:
Metochion Representation.
Each
Metochion shall be represented by two (2) representatives, each one having
one vote, i.e. 1) The Priest, as acting President of the Ecclesiastical
Council and 2) any other Officer or member thereof appointed by the
Ecclesiastical Council, by written authorization.
Paragraph 3:
Authorities of the Five-years Clergy-Laity Convention.
Except for
matters of a doctrinal, worship or canonical nature the Five-years
Convention shall concern itself with all matters and problems relating to
the life and development of the Church, as the financial, educational,
cultural philanthropical (charities), missionary and the like.
Paragraph 4:
Chairman of the Convention.
Chairman of
the Convention shall be the Abbot.
Paragraph 5:
Quorum.
The
Clergy-Laity Convention shall be in quorum only when at least two thirds of
the total number of Metochia are represented by duly authorized
representatives.
Paragraph 6:
Time of the Convention.
The
Convention shall be convened every five years by the Chairman i.e., the
Abbot. If necessary, however, it could be convened at a special meeting too.
The time and place of the Convention shall be determined by the
Abbot-Council.
CHAPTER TWO
THE
ABBOT-COUNCIL (Monastery Council)
Paragraph 1:
The
Abbot-Council of the Sovereign monastery is the advisory and consultative
body with the Abbot and its main duty is to interpret and see to the
implementation of the resolutions of the Five-years Clergy-Laity Convention
and together with the Abbot, to take care of every other matter of current
nature, like the meeting of urgent affairs, the preparation of the Budget
and the like. In the event that special legislation may be required during
the interim period between the Conventions, the Abbot shall convene the
Abbot-Council and the acting presidents of the Metochia Churches, to
exercise the said authority.
PART FOUR
CHAPTER
ONE
METOCHION
REGULATIONS BY-LAWS
Paragraph 1:
Each
Metochion shall have the right to append to the present Regulations and in
the form of By-laws, additional provisions as local needs may require,
provided these provisions in no way conflict with the provisions referred to
herein and are consistent with the spirit of the Regulations hereto, and
provided further that such By-laws are approved in advance by the Sacred
Monastery. Metochia already having local By-laws, shall submit same to the
Abbot-Council for approval. They shall come into effect only after the
Sacred Monastery and the Ecumenical Patriarchate have approved same.
The present Regulations are ratified by the Ecumenical Patriarch and the
Holy and Sacred Synod of The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
CHAPTER TWO
Paragraph 1:
The English
text of these Regulations shall be deemed as the Official text for every
civil Law use.
Paragraph 2:
Every amendment to the whole of part of the present Uniform Regulations
of the Metochia of the Sacred Patriarchal Monastery of St. Irene
Chrysovalantou is only possible after previous notification and written
approval by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, given by venerable Patriarchal
Letter.
Paragraph 3:
The present Uniform Regulations of the Metochia of the Sacred Patriarchal
Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou, in Astoria, New York, were ratified
by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and the Holy and
Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in the meeting of the 10th
of April 1998 and were put into effect today.
In the year
of the Savior 1998, month of April, day 10th.
Signature of
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of
Seal and
Signatures of the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate.
