On 17th June 2021, a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church took place in the Throne Hall of the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in the Danilov Monastery in Moscow under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

The members of the Synod examined the report of Metropolitan of Pskov and Porkhov Tikhon – submitted on 17th April 2021 – on the genetic examinations of the “Ekaterinburg Remains”, as well as information provided by the Investigative Committee of Russia on various examinations: molecular genetic, physicochemical, traceological, ballistic, handwriting, authorship, historical and archival , soil science, forensic – anthropological, forensic. In addition, members of the Synod reviewed the investigation of the criminal case on the murder of members of the Imperial Family on 17th July 1918.

JOURNAL No. 31 of the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, 17th June 2021

LISTENED information about the progress of work on the identification of the “Ekaterinburg remains”.

Reference:

The consecrated Bishops’ Council of 2016 decreed: “The members of the Council got acquainted with the work of the church commission acting with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill for the study of the “Ekaterinburg remains”. The Council expresses satisfaction in connection with the fact that, in response to the appeal of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the state authorities decided to conduct a comprehensive historical, anthropological, genetic and forensic examination of these remains and a comprehensive study of the circumstances of the murder of the Tsar’s family. The decision on the recognition or non-recognition of the “Ekaterinburg remains” as the holy relics of the Royal Passion-Bearers may be made by the Bishops’ Council on the proposal of the Holy Synod, based on the assessments of the final materials of the comprehensive examination, which must be pre-posted for public comment. The timing of the completion of the examination should not depend on any external circumstances, but be determined by the time required for scientific research” (paragraph 10 of the 2016 Council Resolutions).

The consecrated Council of Bishops in 2017 decreed: “With the host of new martyrs and confessors, the Church glorifies the Royal Passion-Bearers. The church commission, together with state investigative bodies, is still carrying out painstaking work to identify the “Ekaterinburg remains.” Having heard a detailed report on this topic, the Council expresses the hope that in good time an end will be put in the mentioned studies ”(paragraph 3 of the 2017 Council Resolutions). The 2017 Council of Bishops emphasized that the above resolution of the Council of 2016 regarding the adoption or non-recognition of the “Ekaterinburg remains” as the holy relics of the Royal Passion-bearers and the publication of the final materials of a comprehensive examination for public discussion remains in force.

PHOTO: meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Throne Hall of the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, 17th June 2021

IT WAS RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:

Upon acquaintance with the report of His Grace Metropolitan of Pskov and Porkhov Tikhon regarding the genetic examinations of the “Ekaterinburg remains”, as well as with the information provided by the Investigative Committee of Russia regarding various examinations (molecular genetic, physicochemical, traceological, ballistic, handwriting, authorship, historical and archival , soil science, forensic – anthropological, forensic), appointed as part of the investigation of a criminal case on the murder of members of the Imperial Family:

1. To express gratitude to all workers on the establishment of the truth in the issue of identification of “Ekaterinburg remains”.
2. In accordance with the instructions of the Councils of Bishops in 2016 and 2017, to publish information on the results of the examinations after their completion.
3. Submit the results of the examinations for consideration at the next Bishops’ Council.

What happens next?

The next Bishops’ Council of the Russian Orthodox Church will be held in November 2021, at which time, the ROC is expected to acknowledge that the Ekaterinburg Remains are those of Emperor Nicholas II, his family and their four faithful retainers.

Click HERE to read my article The Fate of the Ekaterinburg Remains, originally published on 17th March 2016, and updated on 4th January 2017.

© Paul Gilbert. 17 June 2021