[6][7][8] On 28 December 2018, in response to the Ecumenical Patriarchate's actions in Ukraine,[9] the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to create "a Patriarchal Exarchate in Western Europe [PEWE] with the center in Paris" as well as "a diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church in Spain and Portugal with the center in Madrid"[7][10][11][12][13] During the same synod, the decision was also taken to create "a Patriarchal Exarchate in South-East Asia [PESEA] with the center in Singapore.

Madrid-based Archpriest Andrei Kordochkin explained: "Parishes are often located several hundred kilometers from each other, it is hardly possible to coordinate its ministry from France.

The creation of a new diocese is intended to overcome this isolation and strengthen unity among priests who serve far from each other.

In addition, there are a number of issues related to the legal existence of parishes, which can be resolved only if their administration is in the capital"[20] Bishop Nestor (Sirotenko) was granted the title of archbishop on 3 January 2019 by Patriarch Kirill at Moscow's Dormition Cathedral.

[21][22] There are three Russian Eastern Orthodox temples in Spain co-built as such: The Cathedral of Saint Mary Magdalene in Madrid (seat of the diocese),[23] the Church of the Michael the Archangel in Altea (Valencian Community)[24] and the Orthodox Church of the Presentation of the Lord in Adeje (Canary Islands).