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Numerous corrections of fact to the sections on MP/EP relations and the intricacies of Bishop Basil's history; added several new footnotes as citations.
In his position in the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Exarchate in Western Europe, Bishop Basil's authority is over a newly-formed vicariate of parishes in the British Isles entitled the [[Episcopal Vicariate of Great Britain and Ireland]], which currently consists of a small number of parishes and some smaller Eucharistic Communities that elected to follow him in his departure from the Diocese of Sourozh (these are enumerated and discussed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Vicariate_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland#Parishes_and_Communities here]).<ref>[http://www.exarchate-uk.org/Parishes/parishes_index.html Parishes of the Vicariate]</ref> As part of this role, he sits on the council of the Exarchate.<ref>[http://www.exarchat.org/article.php3?id_article=563 Communiqué N° 12-06 du Conseil de l'Archevêché et Déclaration]</ref>
He was forcibly retired from his position as administrator of the Sourozh diocese after seeking incardination into the Ecumenical Patriarchate without receiving release from Moscow, taking with him those of his flock who wished to follow him.<ref name="Innokenty1">[http://www.sourozh.org/info/letters/letter230706.html Letter "To all the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Sourozh"] - Abp. Innokenty of Korsun, July 23, 2006</ref> The announcement In a letter sent to the Patriarch of Moscow without notice to his retirement came upon his refusal clergy, Bishop Basil requested that he and the whole of the Diocese of Sourozh (and not simply those members who wished to withdraw his letter follow him) be released from the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate, to be received into the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch as a new diocese existing alongside Constantinople (sent after 's Patriarchal Exarchate for Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe.<ref>See Bishop Basil's letter of 24 April, 2006.[http://www.sourozh.org/archives/docs/BB2Patr240406_en.html] On taking this decision without consulting his clergy or diocesan council, see his request for release statements online.[http://www.dioceseinfo.org/DOCUMENTS/Diocese/BB160506.htm]</ref> Without awaiting a full response from the Patriarchate of Moscow) which requested incardination and noted , he wrote to the Ecumenical Patriarch on May 2, 2006, again repeating his request for release from Moscowdesire to establish a new diocese under Constantinople.<ref>So the text of his brief letter to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.[http://orthodoxe.free.fr/files/BBtoEcPatr01.pdf Letter ] In this letter, unlike his original letter to Patriarch Bartholomew I] - Bp. Basil (Osborne)the Moscow Patriarchate, May 2he indicates that the new diocese would be made up of himself, 2006"together with those clergy and parishes that wish to follow me."</ref> After Announcement of Bishop Basil's retirement by the Synod of Moscow followed upon his refusal to withdraw this letter to Constantinople. Following announcement of his forced retirement was announced in the Sourozh cathedral in London, Basil immediately appealed the decision to the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the basis of Canons 9 and 17 of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council]] and also Canon 28 of the same Council, such . Such canons <ref>For a canonical commentary on this canon, see: [[Prerogatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate]]</ref>, it is arguedsome argue, endows endow the Constantinopolitan Patriarch with the privilege of the "ekkliton" (read, hearing appeal) and granting it jurisdiction over regions not already subject to the other four senior Patriarchates, Rome, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. It should be noted, however, that this interpretation of these canons is not undisputed, and runs contrary to the classical interpretations of the canons found in the canonical commentaries of the Church. <ref>For a canonical commentary on this canon, see: [[Prerogatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate]]. As an exampleof the variances in interpretation, regarding Canon 9 of Chalcedon, St. Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain comments: "[This canon] did not say that if any clergyman has a dispute or difference with the Metropolitan of any diocese or parish whatever, they must be tried before the Bishop of Constantinople…." Zonaras likewise says that the Bishop of Constantinople is not necessarily entitled to sit as judge over all Metropolitans, but (only) over those who are judicially subject to him, and that "The Bishop of Constantinople must hear the appeals only of those who are subject to the Bishop of Constantinople, precisely as the Bishop of Rome must hear the appeals only of those who are subject to the Bishop of Rome." <ref>In D. Cummings, trans., ''The Rudder of the Orthodox Catholic Church: The Compilation of the Holy Canons Saints Nicodemus and Agapius'' (West Brookfield, MA: The Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1983), p. 255.</ref>
The Ecumenical Patriarchate subsequently accepted Bishop Basil into its jurisdiction on the basis of his appeal which followed, although Moscow had not issued a canonical release and had instructed him not to be received into another patriarchate until matters could be looked into by an appropriate commission. At Additionally, it requested his presence in person numerous times, which Bishop Basil refused to heed on all occasions, instructing others to do likewise.<ref>Facts that were eventually reported by the [http://www.sourozh.org/archives/docs/commission_en.html commission established to investigate the issue]. This report also noted the bishop's use of the internet to propagate information on the timedisputes outside of official channels.</ref> Given these circumstances, the Moscow Patriarchate does did not regard his incardination into the Ecumenical Patriarchate as valid, nor did it recognize the title ''Bishop of Amphipolis'' given to him by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople on [[June 8]], 2006.<ref>[http://www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=en&id=678&tla=en Press Release for the Election of Bishop Basil of Amphipolis] - Ecumenical Patriarchate, June 8, 2006</ref> Considering him still a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, but in retirement, it referred to him in official correspondence without titular connection, as 'The Right Reverend Bishop Basil (Osborne)'.<ref name="MP1">[http://www.sourozh.org/info/docs/synod190706_en.html Decision of the Holy Synod concerning Bishop Basil (Osborne)] - Moscow Patriarchate, July 19, 2006</ref> Similarly, it did not regard as valid the 'letters of release' issued by Bishop Basil to all his former clergy in the Diocese of Sourozh - letters either backdated or prepared earlier, in early February.<ref>As noted in a [http://www.sourozh.org/archives/letters/letter220506.html Letter by Archbishop Innokenty] - 22 May 2006.</ref> Bishop Basil was summoned to appear before the MP synod on July 17,<ref>[http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=1559 Russian Church: It considers Osborn's move to Constantinople's jurisdiction invalid as he is still one of its bishops fax, June 14, 2006</ref> Bishop Basil declined to appear. From 19 July 2006 the Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate placed him under temporary suspension, forbidding him 'from celebrating divine services until his repentance or until the decision of the matter by a court of bishops'.<ref name="MP1" />
The resolutions ancient Patriarchates of the Moscow Patriarchate [[Church of the Alexandria|Alexandria]] ([[July June 19]], 2006)<ref>[http://www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=gr&id=698&tla=gr Letter from Pope of Alexandria concerning Bp. Basil Osborne] - June 19, made 2006</ref> and [[Church of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]] ([[June 6]])<ref>[http://www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=gr&id=697&tla=gr Letter from Patriarch of Jerusalem concerning Bp. BasilOsborne] - June 6, 2006</ref>, along with the [[Church of Cyprus]] ([[June 14]])<ref>[http://www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=gr&id=699&tla=gr Letter from ''s canonical stature a matter locum tenens'' of the Archbishop of intense dispute between Moscow Cyprus concerning Bp. Basil Osborne] - June 14, 2006</ref> and Constantinoplethe [[Church of Albania]] ([[August 12]])<ref>[http://www.exarchate-uk.org/News/anastasios. According html Circular Letter from the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania on the subject of the election of Bishop Basil, addressed to His All-Holiness the Ecumenical PatriarchatePatriarch Bartholomew II] - August 12, Basil could legitimately celebrate as a bishop; according to Moscow2006</ref>, he was forbidden later confirmed their support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's authority to do soact in the manner that it had. Accordingly<ref>Refer to ORDOs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, no communicant the latest being that of 2006, for the official designation of titular bishops as "bishops/hierarchs" of the Moscow Patriarchate who wishes to remain faithful "Throne" and to the decisions text of canons 9, 17 and 28 for the rights and privileges of his hierarchy may knowingly participate Constantinople regarding extraterritorial appeals and jurisdiction in a liturgy at which Basil celebrates as a bishopthe "varvariki", nor may they receive Holy Communion from him. Similarly, after these resolutions, no Moscow Patriarchate priest may [[concelebration|concelebrate]] with Basilregions beyond the borders of the other senior patriarchates.</ref name="Innokenty1" />
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