Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA Normally, the election of a new member of the Holy Synod of a Local Orthodox Church would not be considered important news. However, in Bulgaria, it is important. The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Patriarchate is sharply divided into two wings. One wing favors the Ecumenical Patriarch and the recognition of the OCU. Its primary members are Metropolitans Nikolai, Anthony, Naum, Cyprian, Yakov, and Arseny. The other wing is headed by Patriarch Daniil and does not recognize the actions of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine. Each new Synod member can have an effect on the…
Author: Jacobse
OCL is an educational and an advocacy ministry, which has, for a quarter of a century advocated for Orthodox Unity and transparency and accountability in Church Governance. OCL welcomes the statement issued by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America regarding the resignation of Metropolitan Jonah, which appears to strike a balance between the sensitivity of the matters contained in the statement and the legitimate needs of the faithful to be informed about issues of importance. As all of the facts become known, and law enforcement agencies take appropriate measures to deal with matters referred to them, OCL…
Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) calls upon the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) during this most difficult period to be transparent about the reasons for the resignation of Metropolitan Jonah. We call upon the Synod and the Metropolitan Council to be open and transparent in all matters relating to Church Governance in order to retain the confidence of the people whose support they must have in order for the Church to grow and serve the needs of the faithful.
The Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) Board was blessed to have Father Peter Gillquist as an advisor for more than 12 years. From day one, when I met him, he was bigger than life. Physically he was tall, robust and exuberant in nature. He reminded me of Paul Bunyan. He energized our board when he attended meetings and was our featured speaker at open forums and programs. He truly transcended all the Orthodox Christian groupings that exist in America. The Holy Spirit, present everywhere, and filling all creation, brought Father Peter and his brothers and sisters to Orthodox Christianity in 1987;…
It is with a sense of sadness and celebration that I convey to you that OCL’s loyal advisory board member and my friend and advisor Deacon John Zarras has Fallen Asleep in the Lord – Sunday April 1 about 1:30 pm. Deacon John was a passionate supporter of the mission of Orthodox Christian Laity. He was a visionary planner for Orthodox Christian Unity. He joined the OCL movement formally as an advisory board member in 2000 and helped us plan the 16th Annual Meeting: “The Orthodox Christian Ministries Networking Conference.” He also helped me with so many details as we…
By George Matsoukas The Orthodox Christian Laity Winter Board Meeting took place in Columbus, Georgia the last week of February 2012 at the Hilton Gardens Inn. Advisory Board member and former mayor of Columbus, retired Colonel Robert S. Poydasheff, was the host of the productive meeting. President Bill Souvall from Salt Lake City, UT presided. The Orthodox Christian Laity Winter Board Meeting took place in Columbus, Georgia the last week of February 2012 at the Hilton Gardens Inn. Advisory Board member and former mayor of Columbus, retired Colonel Robert S. Poydasheff, was the host of the productive meeting. President Bill…
Hilton Garden Inn Columbus, Georgia Local Contact Person: Robert Poydasheff 706-317-3224 Thursday evening: Hilton Garden Inn. Board Meeting Overview – 6:30 pm in Dining Room. Friday morning: 9:00 am Board Meeting in Conference Room. 25th Anniversary Update. Principles of Charter for a Unified Orthodox Church. Friday evening: If a priest is available, Vesper at Holy Transfiguration Mission. Dinner at Local Club. Saturday morning: 10:00am Meet and Greet Faithful. OCL 25 Years of service. Holy Transfiguration Mission, 4612 Gilbert Avenue, Columbus, GA 31904. Interested faithful from Atlanta including: Annunciation Cathedral; St. Elias Church; St. John Wonderworker; Holy Transfiguration (Marietta); Holy Cross…
His Grace, Bishop Basil, Secretary of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America Bishop Basil (Essey), Secretary of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, talks about the CEOYLA Festival in 1963. Orthodox Christian Laity Program Booklet. View or download the PDF. “They Witnessed to North America with One Voice – C.E.O.Y.L.A. & now, O.C.L. ” by Ronald Andrei Muresan, JD. PowerPoint presentation or PDF Download of PowerPoint Presentation. View the video archives: Remembering the Work and Leadership of the Council of Eastern Orthodox Youth Leaders of the Americas (CEOYLA).…
By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette With work under way for the demolition of the Civic Arena, Orthodox Christians are gathering in Pittsburgh to remember a historic faith event that took place there in 1963. Nearly 14,000 Orthodox — including 12 bishops, 150 priests and a 1,000-voice choir from all ethnic backgrounds — packed the arena with the dome open. It remains the largest Orthodox gathering in America, according to organizers of this weekend’s conference. The organizers of the 1963 event, mostly veterans of World War II who had founded the Council of Eastern Orthodox Youth Leaders of the Americas, hoped…
Bishop Basil (Essey), Secretary of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, talks about the CEOYLA Festival in 1963 An Audio-Video Offering to All at The 24 Annual Meeting of the Orthodox Christian Laity Welcoming Remarks – Andy Kartalis, George Matsoukas FEATURE : The Amazing CEOYLA of ’63 – Ronald Muresan FEATURE: Live from CEOYLA ’63 Eyewitness History by CEOYLA Participants: Michael Herzak Jim Demetrion Kweilin Nassar Archbishop Nathaniel Popp Serge Powell Mailed in Reflections Orthodox Christian Fellowship College Organization – A CEOYLA Legacy CEOYLA Participants Open Forum Pre-Recorded Message from Bp. Basil FEATURE: Mother Inez…
Terry Mattingly gives a though-provoking talk about Orthodoxy in America from the perspective of a journalism professor and one who converted to the faith. He talks about the importance of a commitment to a sacramental life as the key to creating a united Orthodox Church in North America. Listen here: [audio:http://roea.org/files/Audio/Mattingly_Terry_Unity_11042007.mp3|titles=Terry Mattingly on Orthodox Unity]
Archbishop Lazar (Puhalo) speaks about theelements necessary for Orthodox Christian unity in North America and reasons for disunity. Listen here: [audio:http://roea.org/files/Audio/Archbishop_Lazar_Puhalo_Unity_11042007.mp3|titles=Archbishop Lazar Puhalo on Orthodox Unity]