Paris Archdiocese Considers Electing Auxiliary Bishops Without Moscow Approval

PARIS — The Archdiocese of Orthodox Churches of the Russian Tradition in Western Europe is preparing to consider an extraordinary measure that could allow it to elect auxiliary bishops without prior approval from the Moscow Patriarchate.

Ahead of the Archdiocese’s June 26–27 assembly, Metr. John of Dubna circulated a letter explaining that repeated requests for episcopal appointments have gone unanswered for three years. According to the Metropolitan, the Archdiocese submitted three candidates to Moscow in 2023, but only one, Bp. Augustine (Macbeth), was ultimately approved and consecrated. The other two nominations have reportedly received no response despite multiple reminders.

Metr. John argued that the lack of additional bishops has created growing pastoral difficulties across the Archdiocese’s expanding network of parishes in France, Germany, Italy, and other countries. He noted that advancing age and health concerns among the current hierarchs have made it increasingly difficult to provide adequate episcopal oversight throughout the region.

The Archdiocese Council concluded in May that the prolonged lack of response has effectively stalled the mechanism established by the 2019 agreement that brought the Archdiocese back into communion with the Moscow Patriarchate. As a result, delegates will be asked to vote on whether to proceed with an exceptional election process involving Archimandrite Victor (Crețu) and Archpriest Anatoly Negruta.

The proposal comes amid broader discussions about the Archdiocese’s future governance and recalls earlier concerns over its ability to elect auxiliary bishops, an issue that played a significant role in its ecclesiastical realignment several years ago.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Patr. Kirill was included in a new EU sanctions proposal.