Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies
Section 55 - Orthodox Churches; Incorporation

Section 55. This section shall apply to all churches, congregations, parishes, committees and other religious organizations governed by jurisdictions, archdioceses and dioceses of any Orthodox Patriarchate, Synod or national church of the Orthodox Church (the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church), recognized by the apostolic historic Orthodox Patriarchates of Constantinople, Antioch, Moscow and Yugoslavia and in general to all churches, congregations, parishes, committees and other religious organizations founded or established with the intent and for the purpose of adhering to and maintaining the apostolic and historic communion, doctrine, discipline, canon law, tradition, worship and unity of the Orthodox Church.
An unincorporated church, congregation, parish or any other religious organization may apply to the appropriate hierarch, archbishop, bishop or administrator for permission to incorporate under this section. When such permission has been granted in writing, it shall be attached to the certificate of incorporation.
The certificate of incorporation shall be in the form provided by the state secretary for religious corporations and must, in addition, recite therein that the purpose and intent of the corporation is to maintain, propagate, practice and forever perpetuate religious worship, services, sacraments and teachings in full accordance and unity with the doctrine, ritual, canon law, faith, practice, discipline, traditions and usages of the Orthodox Church and for the carrying out of the said purpose and intent to maintain a religious organization which will be adherent and obedient to the Orthodox ecclesiastical jurisdiction and authority and which shall recognize and remain subject to the duly appointed and canonical Orthodox hierarch, archbishop, bishop or administrator appropriate for the Orthodox communicant members comprising the same.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters

Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies

Section 1 - Continuance of Existing Corporations

Section 2 - Existing Societies; Limitation or Modification of Rights, Privileges, Etc.

Section 3 - Status of Church Privileges

Section 4 - By-Laws

Section 5 - Membership; Rights and Restrictions

Section 6 - Membership; Women and Non-Residents

Section 7 - Meetings; Election of Officers; Tenure; Vacancies

Section 8 - Method of Election of Officers

Section 9 - Powers of Moderator

Section 10 - Assessors or Standing Committee; Election; Tenure

Section 11 - Management of Prudential Affairs

Section 12 - Procedure When Officers Fail to Call Meeting

Section 13 - Warning of Meetings

Section 14 - Warrant for Meetings; Contents

Section 15 - Presiding Officer During Selection of Moderator; Oath of Office

Section 16 - Collector

Section 17 - Appropriations

Section 18 - Assessments on Pews and Property of Members; Liability of Members for Parish Debts

Section 19 - Sale or Removal of Pews or Meeting-House

Section 20 - ''religious Society'' and ''society'', Defined

Section 21 - Incorporation of Religious Societies

Section 22 - Organization Meeting; Certificate of Incorporation, Filing, Etc.

Section 23 - Incorporation of Religious Society

Section 24 - Incorporation of Owners of Meeting Houses

Section 25 - Restrictions on Amount of Property Owned; Use of Income

Section 26 - Record of Organization Proceedings; Filing

Section 27 - Use of Funds; Purposes

Section 28 - Societies Incorporated Under Special Acts; Powers

Section 29 - Manner of Calling Meetings

Section 30 - Collection of Assessments

Section 31 - Sale of Pews for Taxes

Section 32 - Notice of Sale; Affidavit of Posting

Section 33 - New or Rejuvenated Meeting Houses; Acquisition of Funds by Selling Pews

Section 34 - Meeting-Houses Unfit for Worship; Rights of Pew Owners to Compensation

Section 35 - Assessments on Pews

Section 36 - Assessments on Pews; Consent of Owners

Section 37 - Purchase of Pews

Section 38 - Property Status of Pews

Section 39 - Protestant Episcopal Societies; Organization

Section 40 - Methodist Episcopal Churches; Organization

Section 41 - Powers of Trustees

Section 42 - First Meeting of Trustees, Etc.

Section 43 - Filing Record of Organization

Section 44 - Roman Catholic Churches; Incorporation

Section 45 - Status and Powers of Archbishop's Successor

Section 46 - Powers of Corporation

Section 47 - Incorporation of Churches

Section 48 - Notice of Meeting

Section 49 - Election of Officers

Section 50 - By-Laws

Section 51 - Certification of Organization to State Secretary

Section 52 - Church Members Only to Be Members of Corporation; Associate Membership

Section 53 - Conveyances by Church Officers

Section 54 - Conveyances From Religious Societies

Section 55 - Orthodox Churches; Incorporation