N.Y.
Religious Corporations Law Section 107
Government of incorporated churches of Orthodox Church in America
- powers and duties of trustees
1.
Every American Orthodox church in this state, whether incorporated before or after the said proclamation of autocephaly, and whether incorporated or reincorporated pursuant to this article or any other article of the religious corporations law, or any general or private law, shall recognize and be and remain subject to the jurisdiction and authority of the general council, metropolitan archbishop or other primate or hierarch, the council of bishops, the executive council and other governing bodies and authorities of the Orthodox Church in America, pursuant to the statute for the government thereof, and any amendments thereto and any other statutes or rules adopted by a general council of the Orthodox Church in America and shall in all other respects conform to, maintain and follow the faith, doctrine, ritual, communion, discipline, canon law, traditions and usages of the Eastern Confession (Eastern Orthodox or Greek Catholic Church); provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not be applicable to any church incorporated in this state which was excluded from the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church in America by said proclamation of autocephaly, namely, St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America and St. Mark Chapel, both of the County of New York, City of New York, St. John the Baptist Chapel, County of Bronx, City of New York, Church of St. George the Great Martyr, County of Queens, City of New York, Church of All Saints Glorified in the Russian Land, Village of Pine Bush, County of Orange, House Chapel of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Village of Westtown, County of Orange, and Church of St. George the Great Martyr, City of Buffalo, County of Erie, unless any such church shall reincorporate pursuant to this article and the certificate therefor shall set forth, in addition to the other statements required to be set forth therein, that the corporation is being reincorporated pursuant to this article with the permission of the governing authority of the Russian Orthodox Church.2.
The six lay members of every church incorporated pursuant to this article signing the certificate of incorporation and the rector shall be the trustees of such church for the first year or until their successors are selected according to the by-laws of such church or the rules and usages of the Orthodox Church in America.3.
The trustees of every American Orthodox church shall have the custody and control of all temporalities and property, real and personal, belonging to such church and of the revenues therefrom and shall administer the same in accordance with the by-laws of such church,, and any amendments thereto and all other rules, statutes, regulations and usages of the Orthodox Church in America.
Source:
Section 107 — Government of incorporated churches of Orthodox Church in America; powers and duties of trustees, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RCO/107 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Oct. 26, 2024).
