As used in this chapter, “Russian Church in America” means that group of churches, cathedrals, chapels, congregations, societies, parishes, committees and other religious organizations of the Eastern Confession (Eastern Orthodox or Greek Catholic Church) which were known as (a) Russian American Mission of the Russian Orthodox Church from in or about one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three to in or about one thousand eight hundred and seventy; (b) Diocese of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands of the Russian Orthodox Church from in or about one thousand eight hundred and seventy to in or about one thousand nine hundred and four; (c) Diocese of North America and Alaska of the Russian Orthodox Church from in or about one thousand nine hundred and four to in or about one thousand nine hundred and twenty-four; and (d) Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America since in or about one thousand nine hundred and twenty-four and were subject to the jurisdiction of the Most Sacred Synod in Moscow until in or about one thousand nine hundred and seventeen, later the Patriarchate of Moscow but now constitute an autonomous metropolitan district pursuant to resolutions adopted at a general convention (sobor) of said district held at Detroit, Michigan, on or about or between April second to fourth, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-four.

As used in this chapter, a “Russian Orthodox church” is a congregation or parish founded and established for the purpose and with the intent of adhering to, and being subject to the jurisdiction of, the Russian Church in America.

L.1945, c. 139, p. 505, s. 1, eff. April 11, 1945.