The concept of stauropegiya and ist current state in the Moscow Patriarchate

This article examines the concept of stauropegia in modern Russian canon law. There are no studies in scientific literature that fully reveal the historical development and significance of the Institution of stauropegion. The authors explain the meaning of the term and its origin, and also give examples of stauropegia in the history of the undivided Christian Church. The analysis of the formation of this institution allows us to better understand the logic and principle of the use of patriarchal stauropegian law in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church and at the present. The scientific methods used are historical, etymological and legal analysis, comparative law, generalisation and synthesis, which allows a comprehensive study of the concept of stauropegion. The study provides an overview of the current state of affairs and provides examples of stauropegial church institutions, as well as recent statistics from monasteries of the Moscow Patriarchate under Patriarchal administration. The modern management system of stauropegial institutions is described. Particular attention is paid to non-monastic institutions and stauropegial cathedrals, which are closely connected with the military and Cossack ministry. Information is provided on the stauropegial territories of self-governing churches and exarchates of the Moscow Patriarchate. The relevance of this study is due to anniversaries associated within the theme of the high primatial ministry at the Moscow patriarchal throne. The results of the study summarise and expand the knowledge of the Institution of stauropegion and acquaint the reader with its enforcement practices in the canon law of the Russian Church.