The current head of the Church, Metropolitan Cornelius (Titov) was elected by the Most Holy Council on October 18, 2005.

Semi-Autonomous: The conversion of metropolitan Ambrose (Papageorgopolos) of Belaya Krinitsa caused a bitter reaction of Russian Imperial authorities and he was soon pressed to leave his see, but not before he consecrated another bishop for his new Church - archbishop Суril (Timofeyev).

His follower, Metropolitan Andrian (Chetvergov) in the February 2004, showed himself as a charismatic and talented leader, concerned with formulating and propagating the cultural and religious "message" of the Old Believers for the modern Russian society.

Unfortunately, many such plans were cut short with the unexpected death of Metropolitan Andrian on August 10, 2005 during pilgrimage in one of the remote regions of Russia (he had a chronic heart condition).

However, the new Metropolitan Cornelius, elected on October 18, 2005, confirmed that he will continue on the policy of openness to the Russian society, started by his predecessor.