Source: Orthodox Christian Laity Being an Assembly of Bishops in a geographic area (USA) where the Church is administratively managed in a state of canonical disorder, allowing parallel jurisdictions and more than one bishop in one city; and, since the Council held in Crete in June 2016 did not address these issues; how will the Assembly proceed? Will it address the real issues that bring about canonical order? Will it establish clear rules of procedure and parliamentary order? Who will … [Read more...]
Governance and Jurisdictional Unity Essays
Thoughtful and well written essays written by Orthodox clergy and laity alike about the pressing problems facing the American Orthodox Church.
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First Meeting of the Assembly of Bishops, following the Holy and Great Council, in Detroit, Michigan, on Oct 4-6, 2016
September 26, 2016 Leave a Comment
Dealing with a New Threat to Patriarch Bartholomew
September 23, 2016 Leave a Comment
Source: The National Herald by Amb. Patrick N. Theros, Special to The National Herald In recent weeks Russian and European websites have posted a scurrilous fabrication linking the Ecumenical Patriarchate to Fethullah Gulen, the exiled Turkish cleric and educator, accused by Turkish President Erdogan of orchestrating the failed coup. The article in question was falsely attributed to retired American Ambassador Arthur Hughes. The fabricators hacked Amb. Hughes’ email and to lend credibility … [Read more...]
Was Putin behind the Downplaying of the Holy and Great Council?
September 15, 2016 Leave a Comment
Source: The National Herald By Theodoros Kalmoukos Analysis The Holy and Great Council (HGC) of the Orthodox Church, which was held in Crete in June, left its mark on Church history. It was an event of great ecclesiastical importance and perpetuated a vision that has existed for many decades. The key consideration is that it managed to gather the local Orthodox Churches, even with four abstentions – specifically, the Patriarchates of Antioch, Bulgaria, Georgia and Moscow. Orthodox … [Read more...]
OCL ANNUAL MEETING UPDATE
September 15, 2016 Leave a Comment
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity Hope to see you at the OCL 29th Annual Meeting! November 17-20, 2016 MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Call 801-890-1280 OCL rate $119.00 until October 15. Hyatt Place Salt Lake City / Cottonwood, 3090 E 6200 S, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121 We have two relevant and important topics to consider. They will be presented by two distinguished Orthodox Christian theologians and devout parishioners of their parish families. Host Parish: St Anna Greek Orthodox … [Read more...]
Musings of the OCL Executive Director
August 31, 2016
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity The Assembly of Bishops will meet during the first week of October in Detroit. How will this meeting be different from all other such meetings? Where is the leadership? The work of the Holy and Great Council has been completed, and little action was taken to address the uncanonical situation of the parallel jurisdictions that make up the Orthodox Christian Church in the USA. This situation is unacceptable, because it keeps our message, outreach and … [Read more...]
Personal Musings on the Holy and Great Council
July 31, 2016
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity I had prepared myself to go to Chania, Crete and see, as a reporter, the events and hear the commentary and behind-the-scenes events that would be part of the excitement and surroundings of this monumental historical event, the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church. I sent in the information that was necessary to be approved as an observer. The approval came. I was excited about going. I have been an advocate for the Council for 28 years. In … [Read more...]
Metropolitan Kallistos Reflects on Orthodox Council
July 26, 2016
Source: OSV Newsweekly Member of the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate hopes June’s meeting is the first in a series Michael Heinlein OSV Newsweekly July 5, 2016 Gathering Orthodox hierarchs from around the world, the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church wrapped-up on the Greek island of Crete on June 26. In the works for over a century, the event was historic to say the least. But what did it accomplish? Our Sunday Visitor spoke with His Eminence Metropolitan Kallistos … [Read more...]
ATHONITE FATHERS CALL FOR REJECTION OF CRETAN COUNCIL AND CESSATION OF COMMEMORATION OF THE PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE
July 18, 2016
Source: Orthodox Ethos An "Open Letter" from Athonite Fathers to the Holy Community of the Holy Mountain of Athos is calling for an immediate convocation of the governing body of Mt. Athos in order to condemn the "false council" of Crete and cease the comemoration of the Patriarch of Constantinople on Mt. Athos. OVER 60 Hieromonk and monks, with a disciple of Saint Paisios, Elder Gabriel of the Kelli of St. Christodoulos (Holy Monastery of Koutloumosiou) at their head, have written an open … [Read more...]
Orthodox Council Bridges Tensions, Moves Toward Interfaith Dialogue
July 12, 2016
Source: AMERICA - The National Catholic Review Council of Crete embraces outward-looking leadership During the week of June 19 on the island of Crete, the first global Orthodox Council to meet in more than 1,000 years—known as the “Holy and Great Council”—brought together more than 290 delegates, mostly bishops, representing 10 self-governing local Orthodox churches. I was privileged to serve as an external correspondent of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Press Office, headed by Rev. John … [Read more...]
Orthodox see council as antidote to ‘heresies and ruses of reason’
July 9, 2016
Source: Crux Filipe Domingues July 9, 2016 SPECIAL TO CRUX Despite the fact that four of the fourteen independent Eastern Orthodox churches of the world opted not to show up, an expert on Orthodoxy insists that the "Holy and Great Council" in Crete in late June was significant, arguing that meeting together to hash out issues is part of the DNA of Orthodoxy. From June 19-26, leaders of ten of the fourteen “autocephalous,” or independent, Eastern Orthodox churches of the world met together … [Read more...]
