Moscow, September 18, 2013
Leading hierarchs, abbots and abbesses, as well as priests from a number of local Orthodox churches will take part in the conference. The aim of the conference is to continue the discussion in the Church on the "Statute on Monasteries and Monasticism" project, prepared by the Russian Orthodox Church's commission of the inter-conciliar presence for Monasteries and Monasticism. The themes, which are to be discussed at the conference, include: ideas fundamental to monasticism of vows, degrees of monasticism, forms of monastic life, issues of the relationship between a monastery/convent and the local diocesan authority, specifics of monastic rules, and control over a monastery/convent.
According to the results of the conference, amendments and additions to the "Statute on Monasteries and Monasticism" project will be proposed, and then the project will be submitted for broader discussion across the Church.