The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) has announced plans to establish a new Russian-language theological institute and seminary in Europe. This decision was made by the Hierarchical Synod in December 2025, with the launch of the educational institution scheduled for autumn 2027. The seminary will be dedicated to Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco and will represent a collaborative effort between the West European and German dioceses.

The upcoming seminary aims to prepare candidates for diaconal and priestly ministries while also offering educational programs tailored for laypeople. Currently, the primary spiritual educational center for ROCOR is the Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, USA, where instruction is conducted in English.

To refine the educational format and program content, the organizers have initiated a survey targeting both clergy and laity. This questionnaire is available in Russian and aims to gather input from the community.

Europe already hosts various theological institutions linked to the Russian Orthodox tradition. Notably, the Saint Serge Orthodox Theological Institute, established in 1925, operates under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Western European Parishes of the Russian Tradition, predominantly offering education in French. Additionally, the Spiritual and Educational Center named after Saint Genevieve of Paris combines secular university education with spiritual preparation. The Moscow Patriarchate is also active in developing educational programs within its dioceses across Europe; however, this will be the first fully Russian-language seminary established by ROCOR in the region.