Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – The process that will lead to a new charter for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is beginning based on a decision by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese, which was convened by its president Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. According to the Communiqué of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the purpose of the new charter is to meet “the visions and expectations of the clergy and laity in view of the completion next year of the 100th anniversary since its founding.” For this purpose, “the process envisions the establishment of a…
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Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Today, April 5, 2021 His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America convened the Holy Eparchial Synod via video conference for a regularly scheduled meeting. During this gathering, the Holy Eparchial Synod: 1) was officially informed of the release from the status of academic probation which had been imposed upon Hellenic College Holy Cross by the New England Commission on Higher Education, and it unanimously congratulated the President of the School, Archon George Cantonis, and all the administrators for this success. 2) expressed its satisfaction with the favorable outcome of a funding solution for the Clergy…
Source: Pappas Post written by Gregory Pappas Long considered one of the most influential clergymen in the history of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, Rev. Alexander Karloutsos– known to Presidents and faithful simply as “Fr. Alex”– has submitted a request to retire. According to a letter dated March 25, 2021, Fr. Alex requested retirement from Archbishop Elpidophoros effective May 3, 2021. Karloutsos, who also serves as a priest at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Kimisis Tis Theotokou in the Hamptons, on Long Island, has served in various functions at the Archdiocese. He has simultaneously served as spiritual advisor to…
Source: St. Tikhon’s Seminary St. Tikhon’s Seminary – St. Nicholai Velimirovic Lecture (March 23, 2021) “St. Nicholai: The Last Years” – A presentation by His Grace Bishop Irinej (Dobrijevic) of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Bishop Irinej’s thesis at St. Tikhon’s Seminary was “Bishop Nicholai Velimirovic: A 1921 Mission to America.”
Source: Orthodox Reality The report, “US Religion Census 2020: Dramatic Changes in American Orthodox Churches,” is now available. The report presents detailed information on parishes, membership, and rates of worship attendance for fourteen Eastern Orthodox and nine Oriental Orthodox Church bodies. It also describes significant changes in American Orthodox Christianity since the previous Census in 2010: membership decline in most Eastern Orthodox Churches, impressive growth of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, new parishes founded after 2010, and much more. The report can be downloaded here: https://orthodoxreality.org/latest/second-census-2020-of-american-orthodox/ The data were obtained directly from over 3,000 US Orthodox Christian parishes. Overall, 97% of…
Source: Orthodox Church in America March 18, 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the repose in 1981 of His Beatitude Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish), the first Primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church in America (OCA). When Metropolitan Ireney signed the agreement with the Church of Russia on autocephaly for the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of America (popularly known as the Metropolia) and the Tomos of Autocephaly was granted by the Patriarch of Moscow in the spring of 1970, he had already served as Primate of the Metropolia for nearly five years. He would continue his Primatial service within the Autocephalous Orthodox…
Source: The National Herald BOSTON – The problem of the clergy’s pension made Archbishop Elpidophoros lose sleep at night as he revealed in an interview with The National Herald just hours before he departed for Constantinople to meet with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and to attend the enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Geron Emmanuel of Chalcedon. The Archbishop said that “the explosive problem of the clergy pension plan did not allow me to sleep during the first months of my ministry in America. I knew that the funding deficit of about $65 million had constantly grown and ultimately would…
Source: The National Herald BOSTON – Two of six professors recently dismissed by Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Dr. Evie Zachariades-Holmberg, professor of Greek Language Liturgical and Patristic Greek, and Fr. Emmanuel Clapsis, professor of Dogmatics, are suing the School because of their dismissal. They were dismissed in August in a decision made by the Board of Trustees due to the School’s financial crisis, declaring “financial exigency” as the reason, which was revealed by TNH on August 14, 2020. Four of the six dismissed professors had tenure, including the two who are suing the School.…
Source: Orthodox Observer Opening the first meeting of the New Year in prayer and with inspiring introductory remarks by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the meeting of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation for the Sacred See of Saint Andrew met on Saturday, February 6, 2021, via Zoom. In his opening remarks, His Eminence stated: “I want to offer my deep and abiding gratitude to the Order of Saint Andrew, and particularly to the Archon Commander, Dr. Limberakis, for making this next-generation platform to enhance the work of our Mother Church of Constantinople possible. I know that it has been…
Source: The National Herald BOSTON – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America appointed Archimandrite Athenagoras Ziliaskopoulos Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod. Fr. Athenagoras will continue to serve as Chaplain of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology along with his new duties as Chief Secretary. The former Chief Secretary of the Synod, Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, was appointed Archbishopric Vicar of the Metropolis of New Jersey, with headquarters in Philadelphia. Metropolitan Methodios of Boston has been excluded from the Board of Trustees of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, reportedly because of legal actions contrary to the…
Source: Orthodox Observer New York, NY – On February 8th, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America convened the second virtual meeting of the Senators for Hellenism and Orthodoxy. In his opening remarks, the Archbishop reinforced the responsibility and importance of the Senators: “As ex-officio members of the Archdiocesan Council, your counsel and guidance are invaluable. You are the institutional memory of this Archdiocese, and your experience, judgment, and wisdom are vital to our success and progress. … Your experience – not just of what has worked in the past, but what is poised to be the most healthful and expeditious internal regulation of…
Source: Orthodox Observer The Ecumenical Patriarchate congratulates the new President of the United States, the Hon. Joseph Biden on assuming his duties, and expresses its delight regarding two highly symbolical executive orders signed immediately after his inauguration. The decision to lift the travel bans imposed on 13 nations with predominantly Muslim populations. It should be remembered that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has for several decades initiated a formal academic dialogue with Islam and hitherto organized some 15 joint conferences to discuss issues faced by all humanity in order to promote greater understanding and mutual respect between the two monotheistic religions, while…