General Information and Procedures for Establishing Diplomatic Relations
with the United Roman-Ruthenian Church
and Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia

I. Principles

The United Roman-Ruthenian Church and the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia (hereafter: Roman-Ruthenian Church and State) recognize the establishment of diplomatic relations as an act of mutual respect, carried out in good faith.

Diplomatic relations may be extended to:

States, governments, and intergovernmental organizations;
Churches, ecclesiastical jurisdictions, and religious communities;
Sovereign or dynastic houses and noble families of historic legitimacy;
International institutions, humanitarian organizations, and other entities as deemed appropriate.

Relations are based upon reciprocity, courtesy, and respect for the sovereignty, autonomy, and traditions of each party.

II. Authority

All matters of diplomacy fall under the Pontifical Secretariat – Third Section, which conducts correspondence, evaluates proposals, and advises the Prince-Bishop and the Apostolic Curia.

Diplomatic credentials issued by the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State bear the signature and seal of the Prince-Bishop or his delegate.

III. Procedure for Establishing Relations

1. Initial Contact

i. Entities wishing to establish relations shall address a formal letter of intent to the Pontifical Secretariat – Third Section.
ii. The letter must identify the entity, its leadership, and the basis upon which relations are sought (e.g., ecclesiastical fraternity, dynastic legitimacy, humanitarian cooperation).

2. Documentation

i. Churches and religious bodies shall provide documentation of apostolic succession or canonical standing, where applicable.
ii. Sovereign houses and noble families shall provide genealogical and historical documentation supporting their claims and legitimacy.
iii. States, organizations, and institutions shall provide statutes, founding charters, or other relevant proofs of standing.

3. Review and Consultation

i. The Pontifical Secretariat reviews all submissions, consulting the Prince-Bishop and the Patriarchal Curia as necessary.
ii. In some cases, additional clarifications or documentation may be requested.

4. Decision and Formalization

i. Upon favorable review, the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State may:
       a. Issue a Letter of Acknowledgment;
       b. Conclude an Exchange of Diplomatic Notes; or
       c. Establish a Formal Agreement or Concordat.
ii. Diplomatic relations are effective upon the issuance of the chosen instrument.

5. Credentials and Representation

i. The Roman-Ruthenian Church and State may accredit a Pontifical Nuncio or Delegate to the other entity, or accept an envoy in reciprocal fashion.
ii. Noble houses may request inclusion in the pontifical register established by the Pontifical Court, which serves as a record of dynastic houses in communion or amity with the Church.

IV. Forms of Relations

1. Full Diplomatic Relations: Established by formal instrument, with reciprocal exchange of ambassadorial envoys. This form is only appropriate for other churches, for governments, and for sovereign houses.

2. Ecclesiastical Communion or Concord: Established with churches, emphasizing spiritual and canonical recognition.

3. Dynastic Amity and Nobiliary Recognition: Established with sovereign houses and noble families, recognizing their historic dignity and place within the broader Christian heritage.

4. Cooperation Agreements: Established with organizations or institutions for humanitarian, cultural, or educational purposes.

V. Cultural and Protocol Expectations

1. All correspondence shall be conducted with due respect for ecclesiastical titles, noble dignities, and proper protocol.

2. Entities entering into relations are expected to respect the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State’s dual ecclesiastical and temporal nature, without attempting to impose political or doctrinal influence.

3. Exchanges of visits, messages, and symbolic tokens of goodwill are encouraged as visible signs of fraternity.

VI. Registry

The Pontifical Secretariat maintains Acta Status Pontificalis, the registry and gazette of the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State, in which all acts of diplomatic recognition, ecclesiastical concord, and dynastic amity are formally recorded.

Given at Rome-Ruthenia in the House of Sts. Peter, Andrew, Stephen, and Mark on this 19th day of September, A.D. 2025.