Minsk, December 26, 2013
"Metropolitan Pavel plans to leave the Ryazan region at the end of next week, ahead of the [Orthodox] Christmas holidays. Metropolitan Veniamin of Ryazan and Mikhailovo and Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Slutsk will conduct a religious service at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in the Ryazan Kremlin," a Ryazan archdiocese spokesman told Interfax on Thursday.
Metropolitan Pavel, for his part, has said it is a pity that he will have to leave Ryazan.
"From the point of view of the church hierarchy, it is definitely a promotion because the metropolitan of Minsk is the head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and is a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. But as for my relations with Ryazan, it is certainly sad because I have a strong love for the Ryazan region and the people," the metropolitan was quoted as saying.
"Ryazan has become my home. I am sad to leave it. But we do not discuss the decisions of the Holy Synod, but accept them as a blessing," he said.
On December 25, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church allowed Metropolitan Filaret to retire and appointed Metropolitan Pavel as head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.
