The Orthodox Christian Church in Russia is, in essence, a state within the state, with its own laws, orders and traditions. Accordingly, this state also has its own authorities that monitor the implementation of church canons. One of them is the Holy Synod.
Functions of the Holy Synod
The Holy Synod is engaged in all organizational matters of the Russian Orthodox Church, including interaction with foreign and so-called non-religious religious associations of any type.
In addition, it bears responsibility for the interaction of parishes within the country, the implementation and observance of Christian canons and orders, and the adoption of the most important organizational and financial issues.
The Holy Synod is engaged in the popularization of the Orthodox faith, not only among residents within their own country, but also abroad, performing similar work only within the framework of state legislation. The suppression of attacks by representatives of other faiths and inciting ethnic hatred on the basis of religion also lies on his shoulders.
History of the creation of the Holy Synod
The need to create a governing body of church authority was initiated by Peter I in 1700, after the death of Patriarch Hadrian. According to the Russian tsar, the further existence of Orthodoxy without proper governance was impossible, since no pressing issues were organized and church affairs inevitably moved into decline.
The first "representative" of church authority was the so-called Monastic Order, which was renamed the Spiritual College in 1718 and received its own charter - the Spiritual Regulation. And after three years, the governing body of Russian Christianity was recognized by the Patriarch of Constantinople Jeremiah III and received its current name - the Holy Synod.
Everyone who was present in this high-ranking meeting or became a member of it was obliged to pronounce the oath, which in its significance was equated with the military, and its violation was severely punished. A little later, the Holy Synod received more extensive and significant provisions and was in charge not only of church affairs, but also of the palace, some of the powers of the Treasury and the State Chancellery, and the royal archive was also in its charge.
