of God, for whom Christ died'. Secondly, Bishop Elisey is 'to witness to the truth of the Orthodox faith before all the peoples of the West, working to strengthen it, with the ultimate aim of reuniting all in the One, Holy, and Apostolic Church'. Thirdly, Bishop Elisey is 'to give spiritual support' to Russians ('our compatriots') who 'now live in Great Britain'. Wonderworking icon brought by the diocese to Great Britain The Derzhavnaya (Reigning) Icon of the Mother of God was brought to Britain by the Diocese of Sourozh in September 2007 with the stated blessing of Patriarch Alexy. Bishop Elisey appointed as Bishop of Sourozh On 27 December 2007 the Holy Synod appointed Bishop Elisey as Bishop of Sourozh, bringing to an end the Temporary Administration of , who was thanked for having restored peace to the Diocese. Matthew as diocesan bishop By the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of 28 December 2017, Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh was relieved of the administration of the Diocese of Sourozh and appointed Archbishop of The Hague and the Netherlands. In the same decision, of Bogorodsk was relieved of his duties as Administrator of the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Italy and appointed as ruling Bishop of the diocese of Sourozh. Patriarchal Exarchate in Western Europe Since 28 December 2018, the Diocese of Sourozh is part of the Patriarchal Exarchate in Western Europe. Ruling bishops Anthony of Sourozh (10 October 1962-mid 2003) Basil of Sergievo (August 2003-9 May 2006) (May 2006-27 December 2007) locum tenens Elisey (Ganaba) (27 December 2007 – 28 December 2017) (28 December 2017-) On 6 October 2006, the Holy Synod of the ROC announced that Archimandrite Elisey (Ganaba), head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem, was to be consecrated Bishop of Bogorodsk, assistant bishop of the Diocese of Korsun, with responsibility for the administration of the Diocese of Sourozh. External links Official site of the Diocese of Sourozh Official site of the Episcopal Vicariate of Great Britain and Ireland of the Exarchate of Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Information about the diocese on the official website of the ROC References Eparchies of the Russian Orthodox Church Eastern Orthodox dioceses in the United Kingdom Eastern Orthodox dioceses in Ireland Christian organizations established in 1962