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His GraceDr. '''Alfred Herbert Ernest Osborne''', the Right Reverend Bishop formerly '''Bishop Basil (Osborne) of Amphipolis''' is , was a [[titular bishop attached to, and ]] under, the Oecumenical [[Ecumenical Patriarchate )]] from 2006 until February of 2010, and was formally known as one of "the bishops of the Throne.", serving He served as an auxiliary assistant [[bishop ]] in its [[Patriarchal Exarchate for Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe]], charged with the care of its flock in Great Britain and Ireland, until his retirement in late 2009 and his subsequent request for laicisation in February of 2010. He previously served as the temporary administrator of the [[Moscow Patriarchate]]'s [[Diocese of Sourozh]] (August 2003 - May 2006) with the title ''Bishop of Sergievo''.

In ==Departure from the Diocese of Sourozh==He was retired from his position in as administrator of the Sourozh diocese after seeking incardination into the Oecumenical Ecumenical Patriarchate's Exarchate in Western Europewithout receiving release from Moscow.<ref name="Innokenty1">[http://www.sourozh.org/info/letters/letter230706.html Letter "To all the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Sourozh"] - Abp. Innokenty of Korsun, July 23, Bishop Basil's authority is over 2006</ref> In a newly-formed vicariate letter sent to the Patriarch of parishes in the British Isles entitled the Moscow without notice to his [[Episcopal Vicariate of Great Britain and Irelandclergy]], which currently consists Bishop Basil requested that he and the whole of a small number the Diocese of parishes Sourozh (and some smaller Eucharistic Communities that elected not simply those members who wished to follow him in his departure ) be released from the Diocese [[jurisdiction]] of the Moscow Patriarchate, to be received into the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch as a new [[diocese]] existing alongside Constantinople's Patriarchal Exarchate for Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe.<ref>See Bishop Basil's letter of Sourozh (these are enumerated and discussed 24 April, 2006.[http://enwww.wikipediasourozh.org/wikiarchives/docs/Episcopal_Vicariate_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland#Parishes_and_Communities hereBB2Patr240406_en.html])On taking this decision without consulting his clergy or diocesan council, see his statements online.<ref>[http://www.exarchate-ukdioceseinfo.org/ParishesDOCUMENTS/Diocese/parishes_indexBB160506.html Parishes htm]</ref> Without awaiting a full response from the Patriarchate of Moscow, he wrote to the VicariateEcumenical Patriarch on [[May 2]], 2006, again repeating his desire to establish a new diocese under Constantinople.<ref>So the text of his brief letter to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.[http://orthodoxe.free.fr/files/BBtoEcPatr01.pdf] In this letter, unlike his original letter to the Moscow Patriarchate, he indicates that the new diocese would be made up of himself, "together with those clergy and parishes that wish to follow me."</ref> As part Announcement of Bishop Basil's retirement by the Synod of Moscow followed upon his refusal to withdraw this roleletter to Constantinople. Following announcement of his retirement in the Sourozh [[cathedral]] in London, he sits Basil immediately appealed the decision to the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the council basis of Canons 9 and 17 of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council]] and also Canon 28 of the same Council. Such canons, some argue, endow the Constantinopolitan Patriarch with the privilege of the "ekkliton" (read, hearing appeal) and granting it jurisdiction over regions not already subject to the other four senior Patriarchates, Rome, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. It should be noted, however, that this interpretation of these canons is not undisputed, and runs contrary to the classical interpretations of the canons found in the canonical commentaries of the ExarchateChurch.<ref>For a canonical commentary on this canon, see: [[httpPrerogatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate]]. As an example of the variances in interpretation, regarding Canon 9 of Chalcedon, St. Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain comments://www"[This canon] did not say that if any clergyman has a dispute or difference with the Metropolitan of any diocese or parish whatever, they must be tried before the Bishop of Constantinople…." Zonaras likewise says that the Bishop of Constantinople is not necessarily entitled to sit as judge over all Metropolitans, but (only) over those who are judicially subject to him, and that "The Bishop of Constantinople must hear the appeals only of those who are subject to the Bishop of Constantinople, precisely as the Bishop of Rome must hear the appeals only of those who are subject to the Bishop of Rome." In D. Cummings, trans.exarchat, ''The Rudder of the Orthodox Catholic Church: The Compilation of the Holy Canons Saints Nicodemus and Agapius'' (West Brookfield, MA: The Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1983), p.org/article255.php3?id_article=563 Communiqué N° 12-06 du Conseil de l’Archevêché et Déclaration]</ref>

He was forcibly retired from The Ecumenical Patriarchate subsequently accepted Bishop Basil into its jurisdiction on the basis of his position as administrator of the Sourozh diocese after requesting appeal which followed, although Moscow had not issued a canonical release from Moscow and incardination had instructed him not to be received into another patriarchate until matters could be looked into the Ecumenical Patriarchateby an appropriate commission. Additionally, along with those of it requested his flock who wished presence in person numerous times, which Bishop Basil refused to follow himheed on all occasions, instructing others to do likewise.<ref name="Innokenty1">Facts that were eventually reported by the [http://www.sourozh.org/infoarchives/lettersdocs/letter230706commission_en.html Letter "To all commission established to investigate the issue]. This report also noted the bishop's use of the internet to propagate information on the disputes outside of official channels.</ref> Given these circumstances, the Moscow Patriarchate did not regard his incardination into the Ecumenical Patriarchate as valid, nor did it recognize the title ''Bishop of Amphipolis'' given to him by the clergy and faithful Holy Synod of the Diocese Patriarchate of Sourozh"Constantinople on [[June 8]] , 2006.<ref>[http://www.ec- Abppatr. Innokenty gr/docdisplay.php?lang=en&id=678&tla=en Press Release for the Election of Bishop Basil of KorsunAmphipolis] - Ecumenical Patriarchate, July 23June 8, 2006</ref> The announcement Considering him still a bishop of his the Russian Orthodox Church, but in retirement came upon his refusal , it referred to withdraw his letter to Constantinople him in official correspondence without titular connection, as 'The Right Reverend Bishop Basil (sent after his request for release from MoscowOsborne) which requested incardination and noted his request for release from Moscow'.<refname="MP1">[http://orthodoxewww.freesourozh.frorg/filesinfo/BBtoEcPatr01.pdf Letter to Patriarch Bartholomew I] - Bpdocs/synod190706_en. html Decision of the Holy Synod concerning Bishop Basil (Osborne)] - Moscow Patriarchate, May 2July 19, 2006</ref> After Similarly, it did not regard as valid the 'letters of release' issued by Bishop Basil to all his forced retirement was announced former clergy in the [[Diocese of Sourozh cathedral ]]- letters either backdated or prepared earlier, in London, early February.<ref>As noted in a [http://www.sourozh.org/archives/letters/letter220506.html Letter by Archbishop Innokenty] - 22 May 2006.</ref> Bishop Basil immediately appealed the decision was summoned to appear before the Oecumenical Patriarchate MP [[synod]] on [[ July 17]],<ref>[http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=1559 Russian Church: It considers Osborn's move to Constantinople's jurisdiction invalid as he is still one of its bishops fax, June 14, 2006</ref> Bishop Basil declined to appear. From July 19, 2006 the basis of Canons 9 and 17 Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate placed him under temporary [[Fourth Oecumenical Councilsuspension]] and also Canon 28 of the same Council, such canons endowing forbidding him 'from celebrating divine services until his repentance or until the Constantinopolitan Patriarch with decision of the privilege matter by a court of the bishops'.<ref name="ekklitonMP1" (read hearing appeal) and granting it jurisdiction over regions not already subject to the other four senior patriarchates, Rome, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem./>

The Oecumenical resolutions of the Moscow Patriarchate subsequently accepted of [[July 19]], 2006, therefore made Bishop Basil into its jurisdiction on the basis 's canonical stature a matter of his appeal which followed , although intense dispute between Moscow had not issued a canonical release and had instructed him not Constantinople. According to be received into another patriarchate until matters the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Basil could be looked into by an appropriate commissionlegitimately celebrate as a bishop; according to Moscow, he was forbidden to do so. ConsequentlyAccordingly, no communicant of the Moscow Patriarchate does not regard his incardination into the Ecumenical Patriarchate as valid, nor does it recognize the title ''Bishop of Amphipolis'' given who wished to remain faithful to him by the Holy Synod decisions of the Patriarchate of Constantinople on his hierarchy could knowingly participate in a [[June 8Divine Liturgy|Liturgy]]at which Basil celebrated as a bishop, 2006.<ref>nor could they receive Holy [[http://www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=en&id=678&tla=en Press Release for the Election of Bishop Basil of AmphipolisCommunion]] - Ecumenical Patriarchate, June 8, 2006</ref> Considering from him still a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church. Similarly, now in retirementafter these resolutions, it refers to him in official correspondence without titular connection, as 'The Right Reverend Bishop no Moscow Patriarchate [[priest]] could [[concelebration|concelebrate]] with Basil (Osborne)'.<ref name="MP1Innokenty1">[http://www.sourozh.org/info/docs/synod190706_en.html Decision of the Holy Synod concerning Bishop Basil (Osborne)] - Moscow Patriarchate, July 19, 2006</ref>

At least by implication the Moscow Patriarchate does not recognize the act The ancient Patriarchates of Constantinople in accepting Basil, and still regards him as remaining under its jurisdiction. [[Holy SynodChurch of Alexandria|Alexandria]] on ([[June 1319]], 2006)<ref>[http://www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=gr&id=698&tla=gr Letter from Pope of Alexandria concerning Bp. Bishop Basil was summoned to appear before the MP synod on July 17Osborne] - June 19,2006</ref> and [[Church of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]] ([[June 6]])<ref>[http://www.interfaxec-religionpatr.comgr/docdisplay.php?actlang=gr&id=news697&divtla=1559 Russian gr Letter from Patriarch of Jerusalem concerning Bp. Basil Osborne] - June 6, 2006</ref>, along with the [[Churchof Cyprus]] ([[June 14]])<ref>[http: It considers Osborn//www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=gr&id=699&tla=gr Letter from ''locum tenens's move to Constantinople's jurisdiction invalid as he is still one of its bishops fax, the Archbishop of Cyprus concerning Bp. Basil Osborne] - June 14, 2006</ref> and the [[Church of Albania]] ([[August 12]])<ref>[http://www.exarchate-uk.org/News/anastasios.html Circular Letter from the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania on the subject of the election of Bishop Basil declined , addressed to appear. Since 19 July His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew II] - August 12, 2006 </ref>, later confirmed their support of the Synod Ecumenical Patriarchate's authority to act in the manner that it had.<ref>Refer to ORDOs of the Moscow Ecumenical Patriarchate has placed him under temporary suspension, forbidding him 'from celebrating divine services until his repentance or until the decision latest being that of 2006, for the matter by a court official designation of titular bishops as "bishops'/hierarchs" of the "Throne" and to the text of canons 9, 17 and 28 for the rights and privileges of Constantinople regarding extraterritorial appeals and jurisdiction in the "varvariki", regions beyond the borders of the other senior patriarchates.</ref name="MP1" />

The resolutions In March of 2007 negotiations took place in Geneva between representatives of the two patriarchates. These concluded with the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate of the releasing Bishop Basil from its jurisdiction on [[July 19March 27]], 2006, make Bp. BasilCommenting to the media on the synod's canonical stature a matter decision, Metropolitan Kyrill of intense dispute between Moscow Smolensk and Constantinople. According to Kaliningrad, chairman of the Oecumenical Moscow Patriarchate's Department of External Church Relations, "The problem arose because Bishop Basil may legitimately celebrate as a bishop; according went over to Constantinople illegally, without any request from Constantinople and without any consent from the Moscow, he is forbidden to do soPatriarchate. AccordinglyNow Constantinople has requested his documents, no communicant which customarily include a letter of release. This means that the Moscow Patriarchate who wishes to remain faithful to the decisions of his hierarchy may knowingly participate in a liturgy at which has granted Bishop Basil celebrates as a bishop, nor may they receive Holy Communion from himcanonical leave".<ref>So the [http://www.interfax-religion. Similarlycom/?act=news&div=2812 report of the Metropolitan's remarks by Interfax], after these resolutions, no Moscow Patriarchate priest may also available [[concelebration|concelebratehttp://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=17389 in Russian]] with Basil.</ref name="Innokenty1" />

The ancient Patriarchates ==Bishop of Amphipolis, Episcopal Vicariate==In his position in the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Exarchate in Western Europe, Bishop Basil had authority over a newly-formed vicariate of [[Church of Alexandria|Alexandriaparish]] (es in the British Isles entitled the [[June 19Episcopal Vicariate in Great Britain and Ireland]], 2006)<ref>[http://www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=gr&id=698&tla=gr Letter from Pope which consisted of a small number of Alexandria concerning Bp. Basil Osborne] - June 19, 2006</ref> parishes and [[Church some smaller Eucharistic Communities that elected to follow him in his departure from the Diocese of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]] Sourozh ([[June 6]])<ref>these are enumerated and discussed [http://wwwen.ec-patrwikipedia.grorg/docdisplay.php?lang=gr&id=697&tla=gr Letter from Patriarch of Jerusalem concerning Bp. Basil Osborne] - June 6, 2006<wiki/ref>, along with the [[Autocephalous Churches of Cyprus and Albania]] ([[June 14]Episcopal_Vicariate_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland#Parishes_and_Communities here]).<ref>[http://www.ecexarchate-patruk.grorg/docdisplayParishes/parishes_index.php?lang=gr&id=699&tla=gr Letter from ''locum tenens'' html Parishes of the Archbishop of Cyprus concerning Bp. Basil OsborneVicariate] - June 14, 2006</ref>, a similar one from Archbishop Anastasios, Primate As part of Albania one June 8this role, have recognized he sits on the reception by Constantinople council of Bpthe Exarchate. Basil <ref>[http://wwwexarchat.ec-patr.greu/docdisplayarticle.phpphp3?langid_article=gr&id=699&tla=gr Letter from ''locum tenens563 Communiqué N° 12-06 du Conseil de l'' of the Archbishopric of Cyprus, the Metropolitan of Paphos, concerning Bp. Basil OsborneArchevêché et Déclaration] - June 14, 2006</ref>). Refer to ORDOs of the Oecumenical Patriarchate==Retirement and Laicisation==In late 2009, Bishop Basil requested retirement, the latest being that of 2006which was granted him, for and the official designation of titular bishops parishes which he formerly led as "bishops/hierarchs" of a Vicariate were then given the "Throne" and to the text status of canons 9a deanery. Subsequently, 17 in February 2010 he requested to be defrocked and 28 for laicised in order to have the rights and privileges option of Constantinople regarding extraterritorial appeals marrying and jurisdiction in the "varvariki"having a normal family life, a request which was then granted, regions beyond and Dr Osborne was returned to the borders of the other senior patriarchates[[laity]].

title=Bishop of Sergievo,<br>Administrator of the [[Diocese of Sourozh]]|

after=[[Innokenty (Vasilyev) of Korsun|Innokenty (Vasilyev)]]&mdash;}}

years=2006-present2010|

*[http://www.exarchat.orgeu/article.php3?id_article=564 Biography of Bishop Basil] on the Exarchate's homepage