Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Sacred Archdiocese of America Holy Eparchial Synod Boston, September 13, 2024 Communiqué His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the Holy Eparchial Synod which convened today in its regular meeting at the Theological School of the Holy Cross in Boston. Among other things it discussed: a) The Archbishop thanked His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco for his hospitality and kind cooperation with officials of the Sacred Archdiocese in the realization of the 47th Clergy-Laity Congress this past July in San Diego, which by common acclamation was successful and was characterized by enthusiasm…
Browsing: Governance Top Stories
Source: Orthodox Christian Mission Center Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Today, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, we announce the launch of an Executive Director search in support of the planned retirement of our beloved Father Martin Ritsi. It is with both heartfelt gratitude for his service and great optimism for the future that we embark on this new chapter. Fr. Martin’s unwavering dedication to Christ, to Orthodox missionary work, and to our organization has prepared us well for this moment. Beginning in 2020 and together with Fr. Martin, we established a…
Source: Orthodox Church in America ENGLEWOOD, NJ [OCA] On September 12, 2024 His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, along with Archpriest Alexander Rentel, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, and Protodeacon Peter Ilchuk visited His Eminence Metropolitan Saba at the chancery of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America in Englewood, NJ. This visit marked their first official meeting since His Eminence’s election in February 2023 and his enthronement as Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese. Also in attendance were Fr. Joseph Samaan, the Protosyngellos of the Antiochian Archdiocese, and Fr. Thomas Zain, Vicar General of…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Yesterday, September 3, 2024, the Ecumenical Patriarchate issued a condemnation of recent illegal actions of the Russian Orthodox Church. This statement comes in response to a heartfelt letter from His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, dated August 31st, 2024, which was delivered at the concluding session of the Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne in Istanbul, Türkiye. At the concluding session of the Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne in Istanbul, Türkiye, His Beatitude Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria’s letter to His…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America In Istanbul, Türkiye, the Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne continued today, September 2, 2024. The hierarchs attended four sessions promoting information and discussion of global, ecclesial affairs in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America briefly addressed the Hierarchy during today’s gathering. Their Eminences Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, and Metropolitan Constantine of Denver are also in attendance at the Holy Synaxis, as are several U.S. bishops. Find information about last night’s…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Along an aptly rain-soaked Golden Horn, this weekend the Ecumenical Patriarchate is presenting Halki Summit VI, entitled “Water: Spirit and Science,” in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Halki Summit, which celebrated its inaugural meeting in 2012, is a gathering organized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate for activists, scientists, journalists, business leaders, theologians, and academics to engage in environmentalist discussion and build interdisciplinary connections. This year’s Summit, co-sponsored by Hellenic Open University, addresses the scientific and spiritual dimensions of water as a vital resource of our planet and a fundamental symbol of Christian theological and sacramental practice. Attendees…
Source: Orthodox Church in America ANCHORAGE, AK [Diocese of Alaska] His Grace Bishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska has announced that the Clergy Endowment Stipend has successfully reached its $1 Million goal. In recognition of this, His Grace has released a video thanking His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, the Holy Synod of Bishops, and the many generous parishes and faithful who have contributed to the success of the fund. His Grace spoke at the 20th All-American Council in Baltimore, MD about the difficult situation facing the Alaskan clergy. The council passed a resolution to support the creation of this Clergy Endowment Stipend: “Whereas Alaska is the…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA Pope Francis, in his Angelus address on Sunday, August 25, made a strong appeal relating to the religious situation in Ukraine. The official English translation of his remarks can be read at https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2024/documents/20240825-angelus.html. With respect to Ukraine, he stated: I continue to follow with sorrow the fighting in Ukraine and the Russian Federation. And in thinking about the laws recently adopted in Ukraine, I fear for the freedom of those who pray, because those who truly pray always pray for all. A person does not commit evil because of praying. If someone commits evil against his…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA On August 20, the Ukrainian Rada approved on the second reading Draft Law 8371 without discussion and by a large majority vote. https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-parliament-legislative-ban-ukrainian-orthodox-church-539e0f3a6d657277aa4fa93b8ec53505 The Draft Law is now being prepared for the signature of President Zelensky. https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billInfo/Bills/Card/41219 It appears absolutely certain that the President will sign 8371 as he repeatedly urged its passage in his nightly addresses last week. In the event of an alleged violation of the new law, there are a series of administrative steps that will occur. A very brief summary of these administrative steps is as follows: (1) On the initiative of the…
Source: St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, August 20, 2024—At its meeting on August 9, 2024, the Board of Trustees at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) announced its decision to indefinitely pause the relocation of St Vladimir’s Seminary, and pursue the needs of the Seminary for recruiting a new president, strengthening the Seminary’s finances, and creating a strategic vision and direction in fulfillment of its core mission. The Seminary’s core mission remains to “train priests, lay leaders, and scholars to be active apologists of the Orthodox Christian Faith—focusing on academic rigor and spiritual formation within a residential…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] In preparation for the upcoming 21st All-American Council in Phoenix, AZ, July 14-18, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon is calling on all communities of the Orthodox Church in America—parishes, missions, seminaries, monasteries, and all institutions—to submit reflections on this moment in the life of the Church. A companion study guide has also been made available to help guide these discussions. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Acts 2:1) In July 2025, the bishops, clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America will gather in…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OPL] By the Grace of God, the Orthodox Church in America’s (OCA) Office of Pastoral Life (OPL) is thrilled to announce a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. that will better equip clergy and their families to face economic challenges that can persist throughout their careers. OPL supports clergy as they fulfill their vocation of pastoral service by offering resources that promote personal, spiritual, and educational growth and health. Through workshops, seminars, retreats and Thriving in Ministry peer learning groups, OPL seeks to equip clergy, clergy wives and clergy families with resources and tools to maintain…