N.J. Stat. tit. 16, ch. 15A

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 16:15A-1 "Russian Church in America" and "Russian Orthodox Church" defined

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.

N.J. Stat. § 16:15A-2 Incorporation

Any unincorporated Russian Orthodox church in this State may incorporate by executing a certificate setting forth the name by which such church shall be known, its principal place of worship, the number of its trustees and the names of the trustees and their terms of office. There shall be attached to such certificate the permission to incorporate signed by the metropolitan archbishop or other primate or hierarch of the Russian Church in America or by a locum tenens acting in his place. Such certificate shall be executed by not less than six lay members of the church and shall be acknowledged or proved in the same manner as deeds of real estate. The certificate shall be filed and recorded forthwith in the office of the clerk of the county in which the church is or is to be located, whereupon such church shall be a corporation by the name stated in the certificate. L.1945, c. 139, p. 506, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 16:15A-3 Powers

Every Russian Orthodox church incorporated or reincorporated under this chapter shall have all of the powers enumerated in section 16:1-4 of this Title except as hereinafter specifically provided. L.1945, c. 139, p. 506, s. 3.

N.J. Stat. § 16:15A-4 Governing bodies and authorities

Every Russian Orthodox church in this State, whether heretofore or hereafter incorporated, and whether incorporated or reincorporated pursuant to this chapter or any other chapter of this Title, or any general or private law, shall recognize and be and remain subject to the jurisdiction and authority of the general convention (sobor), metropolitan archbishop or other primate or hierarch, the council of bishops, the metropolitan council and other governing bodies and authorities of the Russian Orthodox Church in America, pursuant to the statutes for the government thereof adopted at a general convention (sobor) held in the city of New York on or about or between October fifth to eighth, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven, and any amendments thereto and any other statutes or rules heretofore or hereafter adopted by a general convention (sobor) of the Russian Orthodox Church in America and shall in all other respects conform to, maintain and follow the faith, doctrine, ritual, communion, discipline, canon law, traditions and usages of the Eastern Confession (Eastern Orthodox or Greek Catholic Church). L.1945, c. 139, p. 506, s. 4.

N.J. Stat. § 16:15A-5 Trustees; powers

The trustees of every Russian Orthodox church shall have the custody and control of all the temporalities and property, real and personal, belonging to such church and of the revenues therefrom and shall administer the same in accordance with the by-laws of such church, the normal statutes for parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in America approved at a general convention (sobor) thereof held at Cleveland, Ohio, on or about or between November twentieth to twenty-third, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-four, and any amendments thereto and all other rules, regulations and usages of the Russian Church in America. L.1945, c. 139, p. 507, s. 5.

N.J. Stat. § 16:15A-6 Reincorporation of Russian Orthodox church

Any heretofore incorporated Russian Orthodox church may reincorporate under the provisions of this chapter by filing in the office of the clerk of the county in which its principal place of worship is located a certificate, signed by the trustees in office at the time of such reincorporation, or a majority of them, stating that they desire to reincorporate under the provisions of this chapter, the corporate name by which such church shall be known, its principal place of worship, the number of its trustees and their names and terms of office. Such certificate shall be acknowledged or proved in the same manner as deeds of real estate. Immediately upon the filing and recording of such certificate all of the right, title and interest of such church in any real or personal property and all of its franchises and charter rights shall be vested in the corporation so created, subject to all legal liabilities of such church, and the original incorporation of such church shall be null and void. L.1945, c. 139, p. 507, s. 6.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026