In May 2006 the Russian Orthodox Diocese (of Sourozh) in Great Britain suffered severe fracture.

On the official website of the Russian Diocese in Great Britain, mention is made of the resignation of the ruling bishop of that diocese, Bishop Basil, sent to the Patriachate of Moscow on 24 April 2006, and his letter seeking acceptance within the Patriarchate of Constantinople sent on 2 May 2006.

These actions have thrown the Russian Diocese in Great Britain into great disarray, with the clergy and congregations being forced to take sides.

As is happening increasingly frequently in such situations, the arguments put forth by all sides in the affair are being posted on various internet sites for wide public readership.

Bishop Basil's letters and other pertinent documents are available on his own website, alongside regular news updates.

Following Bishop Basil's resignation from the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexii of Moscow and All Russia released Bishop Basil from his duties as administrator of the Russian Diocese in Great Britain, and appointed Archbishop Innokenty as temporary administrator.

The Diocesan Council met on 15 May 2006 without Bishop Basil.

Subsequently, three members who attended the Diocesan Council and three others, published an appeal on the internet for members of the clergy and laity in the diocese to reject the decision of Patriarch Alexii, and to recognise Bishop Basil and Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople as the leaders of the 'established' Russian diocese in Great Britain.

In the Spring Session Report of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America, recently concluded, mention is made of information provided to that Synod by the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia. Moscow seems to have notified its constituent and affiliated Churches that it has considered Bishop Basil's resignation from the diocese and the Moscow Patriarchate, has formally removed him from office as administrator of the diocese, and has appointed Archbishop Innokenty of Korsun (based in France) as temporary administrator.

On 20 March 2006, Bishop Basil dismissed six members of the Parish Council of the Cathedral Parish in London citing the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church as his authority.

The temporary administrator, Archbishop Innokenty has produced the Statute, quoting from it, and saying its does not permit Bishop Basil to dismiss those members of the parish council. 

Therefore on 30 May 2006 Archbishop Innokenty ruled Bishop Basil's decree of 20 March 2006 to be void, and the six 'dismissed' members to continue as members of the Parish Council 'as before'.

Relations between the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Moscow have been notably rocky since Patriarch Bartholomew ascended the Ecumenical Throne. Some commentators say that the Patriarchate of Constantinople, (which only has some three thousand faithful within its direct jurisdiction),  is becoming increasingly desperate for numbers. However, in this case, Constantinople is showing considerable forebearance for the time being.

The way Moscow handles the dispute, is also likely to cause considerable repercussions to the current atmosphere of rapproachment between Moscow and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR).

The dispute is expected to continue at length, and perhaps in the civil courts in England, as well as in various church courts.

main sources:  http://www.sourozh.org/info/ and http://www.dioceseinfo.org/