DOCUMENT OF THE JOINING
OF
THE EVANGELICAL ORTHODOX CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AMERICA
TO
THE EVANGELICAL ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE HUSSITES OF THE WESTERN EUROPEAN REGION

[Note: The original document was not scanned in due to the delicate nature of the document.
We have typed in exactly the way the original looks so that the information is available to the public.]

CANONICAL LETTERS OF JOINT APOSTOLIC DECLARATION:

We, +Joseph Benedict (Perry R. Sills), by the grace of Almighty God and due election, Metropolitan Primate of: The Evangelical Orthodox Church of the Hussites in America, together with our well beloved brother in Christ, His Eminence, Archbishop John (k Polivka) of: The Evangelical Orthodox Church of the Hussites of the Western European Region:

DO DECLARE JOINTLY BY THESE OUR CANONICAL LETTERS THAT:

• Effective upon the first day that The Evangelical Orthodox Church of the Hussites becomes legal and is fully recognized and established within Czechoslovakia (C.S.S.R.), that The Evangelical Orthodox of the Hussites in Czechoslovakia (C.S.S.R.), land all of Europe agrees to recognize and accepts as its Metropolitan Primate, the Metropolitan Primate of the Church in America, who shall serve as the Primate of the Churches in America and in all of Europe and of the international synod and Church. The primatial and Metropolitan See will be located in the United States and will serve as the international headquarters for the church and the international synod.

• A love offering and contribution for the work of the international headquarters and the Metropolitan Primate will be given by The Evangelical Orthodox Church of the Hussites in Czechoslovakia (C.S.S.R.) in the amount of 5% per year of all contributions and gifts received by The Evangelical Orthodox Church of the Hussites in Czechoslovakia (C.S.S.R.), and shall be paid to the Primatial See in America on a quarterly basis. The Evangelical Orthodox Church of the Hussites in Czechoslovakia (C.S.S.R.) shall also bear all expenses for all travel and lodgings for the Metropolitan Primate and one clergyman (Chaplain) in connection with his visitations to Czechoslovakia or when traveling on official and canonical church business in behalf of the Church in Czechoslovakia. The same provisions shall also apply to all other areas of Europe, as and where established when united to the Primatial See in America.

• The Metropolitan Primate agrees, that when the Church is fully recognized in Czechoslovakia (C.S.S.R.), that he, the Primate, will travel to Europe, under the provisions of this document, and will along with His Eminence, Archbishop John (K. Polivka), consecrate THREE BISHOPS for the newly recognized Church in Czechoslovakia (C.S.S.R.).

                                        One Bishop for Moravia, One Bishop for Bohemia, and One Bishop for Slovaki.

The Metropolitan Primate shall then also enthrone the new bishops in their canonical See cities within the Cathedrals of those See cities, all according to good form, order and canon. The Metropolitan Primate shall also enthrone the Bishop of Moravia as "Archbishop" for the Church in Czechoslovakia. The Archbishop of Moravia of the Church in Czechoslovakia shall from that time forward, send quarterly reports on the state and well-being of the Church in Czechoslovakia to the Metropolitan Primate in America.

• Prior to the consecrations of the bishops of Moravia, Bohemia and Slovaki, they will and shall make their canonical Oath of loyalty and obedience to the Metropolitan Primate and the Primatial See in America. They shall further attest and affirm all of the articles of this Canonical Declaration and their acceptance of same by attaching their signatures and seals to this declaration and by submitting their oak of loyalty and obedience in writing to the Primatial See in America. They shall also agree in writing and through this document that they will consecrate "NO" bishops without the express permission of the Metropolitan Primate and the Primatial See in America and further that all the provisions of this article shall be observed by them and their successors.

• The Metropolitan Primate shall reserve the right of visitation to The Evangelical Orthodox Church of the Hussites in Czechoslovakia (C.S.S.R.) of at least once (1) per year unless otherwise jointly agreed upon by the Synod and the Primate, or as necessity may require.

• This declaration and Canonical document shall remain in effect for the period of fifty (50) years from the Date of the Legalization of the Church in Czechoslovakia (C.S.S.R.). At the end of this period either a new working Concordat and Act of Union may be drawn, if it is at the request of 75% of the faithful and clergy, or the old Declaration may be continued, for the health and benefit of all the Churches, locally, nationally or internationally.

• This Declaration shall be binding upon all of the clergy and Faithful in America and in Europe as United under the Primatial See in America and its Metropolitan Primate. This agreement shall also be binding upon the successor of the Metropolitan Primate in America and of the International Church and Synod.

All of the forgoing as contained on page 1 of 1 and page 2 of 2 of this canonical document and joint apostolic letters have been given under our joint hands and seals from this, the Primatial See City located in San Jose, in the state of California, in the United States of America on this 8th day of the month of May, in the year of our Lord 1977. From our Pro-Cathedral and Chancery Offices as witnessed by our signatures and the great seal of the Primatial See in America.

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.

+(Most Reverend) Metropolitan, Joseph Benedict (P.R. SILLS), O.C., S.T.D.
    Primate
The Evangelical Orthodox Church of the Hussites in America & Europe

+(Most Reverend) Archbishop, John (K. POLIVKA), Th.D.
Auxiliary to the Primatial See, Western European Region
The Evangelical Orthodox Church of the Hussites in America & Europe

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