Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America will be held at the Chancery here from Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 20, 2015. According to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary, the members of the Holy Synod will undertake a thorough review of plans for the forthcoming 18th All-American Council, slated to be held in Atlanta, GA July 20-24, 2015. They will also consider the nomination of Archimandrite Gerasim [Eliel] as Bishop of Dallas and the South and review materials related to Archbishop Seraphim. Synod members will offer…
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Source: Orthodox Church in America [SYOSSET, NY] The Holy Synod of Bishops recently blessed the general release of the revised Statute of the Orthodox Church in America for general review by the Church. The finalized revised Statute will be presented at the 18th All-American Council [AAC] in Atlanta, GA July 20-24, 2015. The proposed revised Statute, together with a letter of introduction from the Statute Revision Task Force is available. A side-by-side comparison of the old and new versions is included. Existing Statute Proposed Revised Statute Side-by-side Comparison “The faithful of the OCA are encouraged to read through the proposed…
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 1, 2015 “… move beyond words to actions… putting our theology into practice… moving beyond what is mine and yours, to what is ours.” This important message was conveyed by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops at their fifth official meeting which was held in Dallas, Texas on September 15-19, 2014. Unfortunately, the various proposals that were presented by the bishops defer the establishment of an autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church in the United States of America for at least another ten years. The Orthodox Christian Laity…
Source: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA Longsuffering Lord, how wonderful are your works! Who will number your love for humankind? Who, when they see your Priests and Ascetics slain for the sake of your Icon, would not reject deceivers? But you, when insulted, endured. (Synodikon of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, 9th Ode) Sunday of Orthodoxy 2015 To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Members of Philanthropic Organizations, the Youth and Youth Workers, and the entire Orthodox Christian Family in the United…
Source: The National Herald BY THEODORE KALMOUKOS The case of Fr. James Dokos, former presiding priest of the Annunciation Parish in Milwaukee has brought to light once again a lack of leadership in the Greek Orthodox Church, on the Archdiocesan and Metropolis levels. The Milwaukee DA has charged Dokos with theft of trust funds, and Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos with attempt to interfere with the judicial process. First of all Fr. Dokos should not have been involved with financial issues involving his parishioners including assuming the role of caretaker of the trust established by the Franczak family. Undoubtedly, this entire…
Source: Orthodox Church in America MIAMI LAKES, FL [OCA] One hundred and nine clergy and lay delegates representing parishes throughout the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the South gathered at Christ the Saviour Cathedral here on Monday, February 16, 2015, for a special Assembly, during which Archimandrite Gerasim [Eliel] was nominated to fill the vacant See of Dallas and the South. Archimandrite Gerasim [Eliel] received 81 votes on the first ballot—more than the required two-thirds majority—with the remainder of the votes divided between four other candidates. His name will be submitted to the members of the Holy Synod of…
Source: Orthodox Church in America Huntington, NY [OCA] The spring session of theMetropolitan Council of the Orthodox Church in America was held at Immaculate Conception Seminary here February 10-12, 2015. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, delivered the opening address, in which he reflected on the theme of the forthcoming 18th All-American Council [AAC], “How to Expand the Mission.” “Archbishop Anastasios of Albania reminds us that ‘each one of us personally, bears his or her share of responsibility, as a living cell of this organic whole. Interest in apostleship, in mission, is not the specialty of particular groups or individuals, but a…
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) is hosting an Open Forum for interested clergy and laity in the Jacksonville/St Augustine, Florida area on the progress of the Assembly of Bishops as they finalize a blueprint for Orthodox Unity in the USA. A plan will be discussed by the Assembly in March, 2015 in a special meeting. The work toward unity is the responsibility of all – including clergy and laity. At least we can be informed. Please see the event flier below: [subscribe2]
Source: First Things by David Gelernter Not for many generations has the Church amassed as much prestige as it has under John Paul II and his successors. They underline (or have so far) the formidable quality of church leadership. Since John Paul II’s elevation in 1978, no nation on earth has been led better. That prestige ought to be used in an important cause, and one where it will matter. There is a desperate cause right under the pope’s nose. What is he doing in the Philippines and South America at a moment when, throughout Europe, Christianity is dying?… Read…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] On Thursday, February 6, 2015, the Court of Appeals of the Province of Manitoba affirmed the conviction of Archbishop Seraphim on one count of sexual assault. Archbishop Seraphim has begun his eight-month prison sentence imposed by the trial court in this case. The process leading to a spiritual court will commence as mandated by the Canons of the Orthodox Church and by the Policies on Sexual Misconduct of the Orthodox Church in America, the latter of which require that clergy who have been convicted of child sexual abuse be deposed by the…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] Despite wintery weather, Chancellors and Treasurers of the dioceses of the Orthodox Church in America gathered at the Chancery here for their fourth annual meeting on February 3, 2015. The meeting opened with the celebration of a Service of Thanksgiving in Saint Sergius Chapel, after which His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon welcomed those in attendance. Archpriests John Jillions and John Erickson and Mr. Alexis Liberovsky, Archivist, presented an overview of the Statute revision process, reporting that a final draft, to be shared with the faithful on the 18th All-American Council web site, was…
Source: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA To All Clergy and Laity Interested in the Subject of “Orthodox Christians and Giving to the Church.” A national study “Exploring Orthodox Generosity: Giving in US Orthodox Parishes” has been launched by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. We need and invite as many participants as possible. Both Orthodox clergy and laity are invited to take part in this unique project. The following are examples of the questions that the study will explore: Why do people give or don’t give to their parishes? Are Church members satisfied with…