Please be informed that the Synod of Bishops of the Russian True Orthodox Church has decided to retire Bishop Stefan without the right to serve. He may regain his right to serve only in his Trenton, NJ, parish if he fully repents of his actions.
Furthermore, the Holy Synod has decided to restore the structure of the North American dioceses as it was under ROCOR. The Mitered Protopriest Joseph Sunderland, rector of the parish of the Hieromartyr Joseph of Petrograd in Portland Oregon, has been appointed Dean of the North American Deanery of the Russian True Orthodox Church. He is assigned to administer this territory until such time that bishops may be restored in each diocese.
Only the name of the President of the Holy Synod, Archbishop Tikhon, may be commemorated during the divine services.
With love in Christ,
Protopresbyter Victor Melehov, Secretary
Synod of Bishops
Russian True Orthodox Church