1974 Letter on the Liturgical Communion between ROCOR and the G.O.C., both Florinite and Matthewite

From the original Russian:

Chancellery
of the Hierarchical Synod
of the Russian Orthodox Church
Outside of Russia

10/23 December 1974

No. 3/50/1037

75 East 93rd Street,
New York, N.Y. 10028
Phone: LEhigh 4-1601

Dear servant of God Dimitrios,

In response to your letter, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Philaret, I inform you that Archbishop Akakios, the successor to the former Bishop of Florina, was ordained to the episcopate by the bishops of our Church Abroad. His successor, Archbishop Auxentios, and his Synod have often approached us and continue to do so on various issues.

In 1971, representatives of another group—the Matthewites—appealed to our Synod, who petitioned for the clarification [i.e., regularization] of their ordinations, which was granted by our Synod. The Synod made this decision, thinking this would enable the unification of both groups. At the present time, we concelebrate with the clergy of both groups.

May God protect you!

With love in the Lord,

Bishop Laurus [of Manhattan, Secretary of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops]