The highest level of authority in the ROC is vested in the Local Council ("Pomestny Sobor"), which comprises all the bishops as well as representatives from the clergy and laypersons. Another organ of power is the Bishops' Council ("Архиерейский Собор"). In the periods between the Councils the highest administrative powers are exercised by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, which includes seven permanent members and is chaired by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Primate of the Moscow Patriarchate.