The '''Holy Synod of Milan''' originated as a [[diocese]] for Western Europe of an [[Old Calendarist]] Greek Orthodox Church (see also ''[[http://orthodoxwiki.org/Old_Calendarist#The_Florinite.2FMatthewite_schism Florinites]]''). The full name of this jurisdiction is the '''Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of Milan, Western Europe and the Americas'''.
==History==
The diocese was granted a [[tomos]] of [[autonomy]] in 1984 from Archbishop Auxentios in order to pursue missionary work among the non-Orthodox people of the West. The title of the Synod at this time was the ''Metropolia of Western Europe''. After the transference of its first Chief Hierarch, Metropolitan Gabriel of Portugal, to the [[autocephaly|autocephalous]] [[Church of Poland]], Bishop Evloghios of Milan was chosen as second Chief Hierarch and elevated to the rank of [[metropolitan]].
Today Metropolitan Evloghios remains at the helm of the Holy Synod of bishops of the Church of Milan, which comprises eight [[diocese]]s, five in Europe and three in America, as well as missionary deaneries in England, France and South Africa.
As ===Hierarchy===*Metropolitan EVLOGHIOS of 2008Milan, First Hierarch*Archbishop ONUPHRIUS of Bergamo (Titular; the Archbishop is the current makeup of Representative to Eastern Europe for the Synod is as follows.)*Archbishop ABBONDIO of Como (Resigned episcopal rank in 2012, now an Archimandrite)
In EuropeRetired or Withdrew:*Bishop PABLO of Italica, bishop for Spain and Portugal (An Archimandrite of ROCOR since November, 2011)*Bishop Ildefonso of Valencia*Bishop BORIS of Germany
Metropolitan EVLOGHIOS of The MilanSynod uses the [[Julian calendar]] exclusively, First Hierarch Archbishop LUCA of Torcello Archbishop ONUPHRIUS and "firmly resists the [[heresy|heresies]] of Bergamo (Titular; the Archbishop is the Representative to Eastern Europe for the false [[ecumenism]] and trans-religious syncretism."[http://www.odox.net/Synod).htm]
Bishop ABBONDIO ==America==Since 1997 the Milan Synod included a number of Como[[Western Rite]] communities, mainly in the United States, who worship according to pre-schismatic (historically Orthodox) liturgical traditions with the support of the Metropolitan and of the [[Holy Synod]] of Bishops. The principal rite of the Synod of Milan is the [[Byzantine Rite]] of the Orthodox Church, celebrated most commonly in the Slavic style but in some parishes in the Greek style.
Bishop PABLO On February 14/27, 2011, the Synod announced that it had granted full autonomy to its American Dioceses, elevating Archbishop JOHN of New York to the rank of Metropolitan and erecting the [[Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of Italica, bishop for Spain North and South America and Portugalthe British Isles]].
Bishop BORIS of Germany In America: Archbishop HILARION of Austin Archbishop JOHN of New York and New Jersey Bishop PAVLOS of Maspeth (+2011) The Milan Synod uses Communion between the [[Julian calendar]] exclusively, Autonomous Metropolia of the Americas and "firmly resists the [[heresy|heresies]] of false [[ecumenismBritish Isles]] and trans-religious syncretism."[http://www.odox.net/Synod.htm] Since 1997 the Milan Synod includes a number of [[Western Rite]] communitiesceased effectively April 4, mainly in the United States, who worship according to pre-schismatic (historically Orthodox) liturgical traditions with the support of the Metropolitan and of the [[Holy Synod]] of Bishops2011. The principal rite of the Synod of Milan is the [[Byzantine Rite]] of the Orthodox Church, celebrated most commonly in the Slavic style but in some parishes in the Greek style. On February 14/27, 2011, the Synod announced that it had granted full autonomy was required by Patriarch Kyril to its cease communion with any previous sister churches. The American Dioceses, elevating Archbishop JOHN of New York to the rank of Metropolitan and erecting the Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of North and South America and responded by confirming the British Islescessation.
==Ecclesiastical status==
As with all of the [[Old Calendarist]] jurisdictions, the Milan Synod is not currently in communion with the mainstream Orthodox churches. It is currently in dialogues with the Moscow Patriarchate, having ceased communion in April 2011 with its sister synods in America, Greece, and Bulgaria. During 2011 the [[Orthodox Church in Italy]] joined the Milan Synod, two years after the death of its founder, Metropolitan [[Antonio (de Rosso) of Ravenna]].
==Related articles==
*[[The Abbey of the Holy Name (West Milford, New Jersey)]] In March of 2010, it was announced that the Synod had entered into talks with the Moscow Patriarchate.
==Sources==
*[http://www.odox.net/Synod.htm The Holy Synod of Milan] (from [http://www.odox.net/ Odox.net])
==External links==
* [http://www.orthodoxchristiansmetropoliadimilano.eu it Official Website of the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Milan (Holy Synod of Milan) ] (Italian, with Some English and Spanish)* [http://www.orthodoxwestchiesaortodossa.net it Official Website of the Archdiocese of New York and Eastern America, Milan Synod]* [http://www.milansynodusa.org New Milan Synod Website for American ParishesOrthodox Church in Italy - Chiesa Ortodossa in Italia] (EnglishItalian) * [http://ihtis.wordpress.com News from the Milan Synod maintained by Bp Abbondio of Como](Italian and Romanian)
[[Category:Jurisdictions]]
[[Category:Old Calendarist Jurisdictions]]
