Metropolitan Mark confirmed as Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe »

At the March 12, 2026, meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, the state of affairs in the Patriarchal Exarchate of Western Europe was considered (Minutes No. 8).

On November 8, 2025, by order of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe, Metropolitan Nestor of Korsun and Western Europe was removed from his position as Patriarchal Exarchate of Western Europe, as well as the Korsun, Spanish-Portuguese dioceses, and parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the Italian Republic, due to ecclesiastical legal proceedings initiated against him. Metropolitan Mark of Ryazan and Mikhailovsky was appointed acting administrator of the exarchate.

A letter from Metropolitan Nestor was received by His Holiness the Patriarch. It contains an admission of having committed acts that brought temptation to the faithful and contradicted the Sacred Canons, as well as repentance and a promise of correction. "I understand that I have brought temptation into the Church environment <...> I see how many people I have let down and caused to suffer. Therefore, I will accept with firm readiness any decision you make—even the most severe," the aforementioned letter states.

The Holy Synod resolved to relieve Metropolitan Nestor of his duties as head of the Korsun Diocese, the Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe, and the temporary administration of the Spanish-Portuguese Diocese and the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Italy.

Metropolitan Mark has been appointed Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe and retains his temporary administration of the Budapest-Hungarian Diocese. He is relieved of his responsibilities as Patriarchal Exarch of the Ryazan Diocese, and is thanked for his many years of service in administering the Ryazan Metropolitanate and the Ryazan Diocese.

Metropolitan Nestor has been appointed Vicar of the Korsun Diocese with the title of "Stupinо". 

The temporary administration of the Spanish-Portuguese Diocese and the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Italy has been entrusted to Metropolitan Mark of Korsun and Western Europe.