N.Y. Religious Corporations Law § 51-a

§ 51-a. Application for incorporation. An unincorporated congregation\nof the Holy Orthodox Church in America, or a congregation acknowledging\nthe historic apostolic eastern confession and order in this state, may\napply to the ecclesiastical administrator of American Patriarchal Synod,\nHoly Orthodox Church for permission and sanction to incorporate such\nchurch. When such permission aforesaid has been obtained in writing over\nthe signature and seal of such patriarch, such church may become an\nincorporated church by executing, acknowledging and filing a certificate\nof incorporation as hereinafter provided.\n Any religious order, biblical, seminary for the preparation of\ncandidates for the ministry, leading to ordination and the granting of\ncredentials of ecclesiastical degrees of orders in sacred theology, or\nreligious society established for evangelical efforts or the relief of\nthe poor and needy, which is intended to be an auxiliary organization of\nthe Holy Orthodox Church of the American Patriarchate, where a chapel\nfor the conduct of worship is provided, shall be deemed a congregation\nto all intents and purposes, and may be incorporated in the manner\nprescribed in this article as a congregation of the American Patriarchal\nOrthodox Church.\n