N.Y. Religious Corporations Law § 337

§ 337. Application for incorporation. Any number of persons of full\nage, not less than ten, who are communicants in canonical standing\nwithin the Eastern Orthodox Church may associate themselves for the\npurpose of founding and continuing a congregation acknowledging,\nconforming to and promoting the faith, doctrine, discipline, rite,\ncanons, traditions, usages and constitution of the Byelorussian\nAutocephalic Orthodox Church in America and apply to the archbishop or\nbishop, who is the ecclesiastical administrator of said church, for\npermission and sanction to incorporate such congregation. When such\npermission aforesaid has been obtained in writing over the signature and\nseal of such archbishop or bishop, such congregation may become an\nincorporated church by executing, acknowledging and filing a certificate\nof incorporation as hereinafter provided.\n Any religious order, theological seminary for the preparation of\ncandidates for ministry, or religious society established for\nevangelical efforts or the relief of the poor and needy, which is\nintended to be an auxiliary organization of the Byelorussian\nAutocephalic Orthodox Church in America, where a chapel for the conduct\nof worship is provided shall be deemed a congregation to all intents and\npurposes, and may be incorporated in the manner prescribed in this\narticle.\n