Holy Synod

The Holy Synod is a permanent body ( organ ), located at the head of the Orthodox Churches. In German texts there is rarely also the name of the Holy Synod - the Greek word Συνόδος is more in spite of the typically masculine ending- ος grammatically feminine, the the corresponding Russian word Синод contrast, male. The Synod had or has in the Orthodox Churches, especially the canonical, the following special features:

  • The Holy Synod was directing the name of the Russian Orthodox Church Russian leadership. It was established by Peter I in January 1721 as a replacement for the abolished by him Moscow Patriarchate. He was abolished with the October Revolution of 1917 and went on in a ( powerless ) patriarchy.
  • Today, the Holy Synod is in Russian as in other Orthodox churches, the government body that makes the decisions between the Synods of Bishops. To the Synod for example, the Russian Orthodox Church belongs to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and 13 other bishops, seven of which are constantly and six temporary members of the committee.
  • The Holy Synod is also governing body of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church.
  • The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church, the supreme body of the largest of the family of Oriental Orthodox Churches, consisting of all the bishops of the Church, and meets twice a year in plenary session. Passes between these meetings, the patriarch of the church, bearing the title Abuna, and his administration the church business.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the power of the Holy Synod not limited to spiritual means. He also had troops that have been used for example in the so-called Athos dispute, a dispute over the Imjaslavie movement of the Adoration of the Name of God.

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