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
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 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 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 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 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