Following the final session of the Council (Sobor) of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia on Tuesday, October 17/30, 2001, a session of the Synod of Bishops of the Rocor was held.

The Synod of Bishops, in accordance with the Council's decisions, determined that:

-It is necessary to gather all information on the health of retired Metropolitan Vitaly.

-It is necessary to emphasize the inconsistent character of the latest documents published in the name of Vladyka Vitaly, but unlikely to have been written by him, as evidenced both by the contents of the documents and their style.

-Attention was given to the actual abduction of Vladyka Vitaly from the Synodal building in New York by a group of individuals who subsequently dared to declare publicly that the Metropolitan was being kept their under "house arrest." But at the same time, these same individuals publicly testified that they allegedly saw how a Vladyka Vitaly was "thrown out" of the Synod building. Similar examples of false witness only confirm our fears concerning the authorship of these documents.

-These same individuals compelled Vladyka (who was certainly completely free in his actions, as the testimony of others confirms) to abandon the Synodal building.

-As has now been learned, the former employee of the Synod, Mrs. L.D. Rosniansky, considerably exceeded her authority and literally through her own will--a fact previously inconceivable in our Church--undertook all of the infamous actions which influenced the very course of Church matters.

-One example which caused special consternation was the concealment by her from the Synod of the character of treatment and medicines which she employed in her tending to our former First Hierarch. Over the course of many years Mrs. Rosniansky did everything to isolate Vladyka Metropolitan from his brethren-bishops, and as a result, the Synod knew nothing about the health of its President. For if Vladyka Metropolitan was sick, the Synod should have been informed first and foremost of this, of his treatment, his well-being, his medical status. Especially since certain changes were noticed in his condition. But the required information could never be obtained. Only after the departure from the Synod building of Mrs. Rosniansky were all the medications found which she used to exploit Vladyka Metropolitan. A physician was charged with analyzing these medications. His conclusion was that such preparations are given in grave conditions of health. But this was insufficient to accurately determine what the ailment is, however, its undoubted gravity necessitated further research. The Synod obtained additional consultation from other physicians. Their answer was that it is necessary to evaluate the patient, for the type of medications administered to him speaks of a grave illness.

Taking into account that the Metropolitan's "secretary" refused to give the necessary information to the Synod of Bishops, did not respond to questions by its members, did not allow them to obtain such information, the Council could no longer remain indifferent to the situation. Therefore the following decision was accepted: to carry out the necessary medical examination with all its ramifications.

-The Synod obtained a judicial decision on the realization of such an examination without delay.

-The civil authorities addressed Vladyka Metropolitan directly with the offer to agree to such an examination. After long negotiations, the consent of Vladyka was obtained, and, escorted by members of the Canadian Royal Mounted Police (RCMP), which ensured his safety in leaving Mansonville, they set off to conduct this examination. The presence of protection was necessary, as the extraneous individuals who came to the Mansonville skete--the suspended Bishop Varnava (Prokofiev) suspended Archimandrite Bartholomew (Vorobiev)--did all they could to prevent the peaceful course of events. Hieromonk Vladimir, who was present, constantly repeated to the Metropolitan: "Do not listen to them, Vladyko, they all left to the Moscow Patriarchate! " These individuals uttered other insane words in the attempt to distort and pervert what was actually happening.

-As these words are being written, the medical consilium has determined the condition of the retired First Hierarch. Its results have not yet been received, but as soon as they become known, they will then be published to the extent allowed.

-The Synod of Bishops sees the main task in giving the retired Metropolitan Vitaly the best care, and also not to allow the individuals who are attempting to sow discord within the Church by expoiting the condition of Vladyka Metropolitan and abusing his kindness, to foster hopes of creating so-called "parallel structures," thereby preparing the way for their hoped-for ecclesiastical schism. May this not be!

We call upon all the faithful pastors of our Church, all our God-loving flock to sanity in their approach to this developing situation, from which, through faith and hope and our prayers, the Omnipotent Lord shows us a speedy and favorable outcome. Let us rejoice over the Conciliar election of our Metropolitan, the fifth First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and witness in oneness of mind, in prayer, with one mouth and one heart, illumined, to intrepidly resist all which, since the very origin of our Church, strives to destroy Her. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James, 4; 10).

Bishop GABRIEL
Secretary of the Synod of Bishops