Browsing: Governance & Unity News

Source: The National Herald Theodoros Kalmoukos The recent process for the selection of the triprospon (three-person ballot) by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America regarding the election of the new Metropolitan of Chicago showed that the list of candidates for promotion to the rank of Episcopacy is problematic and pathogenic. The problems should be dealt now without any further delay tactics. I remind that the list of the supposedly eligible candidates is comprised by 32 celibate priests plus the auxiliary Bishops. That list that TNH published in its recent editions has been ratified by the…

Source: The National Herald [SEE ARTICLE BELOW UNDER “RELATED ARTICLE” FOR AN UPDATE ON JULY 13, 2017] Theodoros Kalmoukos  NEW YORK – His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela was elected Metropolitan of Chicago during the process of the selection of the three person ballot (triprospon) by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, presided by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America. Bishop Sevastianos was until now the Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Spiritual Advisor to the National Philoptochos Society. He was ordained a Bishop and given the honorary title of the…

Source: St. Sebastian Press Edited by Maxim Vasiljević and Andrej Jeftić Published by Sebastian Press 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 the twenty sixth of June, 2016. In the works for over a century, the event was historic to say the least. But what did it accomplish? The authors of this book share their understanding on the meeting and the next steps to bringing about stronger unity within Orthodoxy worldwide.The appropriate perception of conciliarity is of critical signi cance, for in the…

Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America NEW YORK – The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America convened today July 6, 2017, at the Synodal Chamber of the Holy Archdiocese, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America and with all its members in attendance. The Synod convened for the purpose of nominating three persons (triprosopon) out of whom one shall be elected to fill the vacancy of the Metropolis of Chicago, which became vacant after the passing of Metropolitan Iakovos of blessed memory. The names of the three nominees (triprosopon) are being submitted to the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical…

Source: The National Herald By Elaine Jaharis Open Letter to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archbishop Demetrios, the Synod of Bishops and the Archdiocesan Council – Consultation Committee; The selection of the next Metropolitan of the Metropolis of Chicago will shape the future of the entire Greek Orthodox Church in America – for better, or for worse. There is no middle ground. There are many reasons why the “status quo” is unsustainable. This Metropolis cannot survive “more of the same”; or, a “temporary placeholder”. An inspired selection will steer the Metropolis in new directions; rejuvenate stewardship rolls; and restore joy to the…

Source: The National Herald By Dennis Menos A year after the Holy and Great Council (HGC) – the Orthodox mega event designed to demonstrate Pan-Orthodox unity– an alarming internal rift is evident within the Orthodox Church. Fortunately, the rift is still in an early stage and as such its effect has been minimal, but considering its potential for adversely impacting Orthodox unity, every effort must be made to confront and heal it now. The rift can be traced to the Holy and Great Council held last summer on the island of Crete. It will be recalled that four of the…

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity June 28, 2017 His All Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch, Members of the Holy Synod; His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and Chairman of the Holy Eparchial Synod; Members of the Holy Eparchial Synod; Members of the Archdiocesan Council of the Archdiocese of America,  Your All Holiness, Your Eminences and beloved sisters and brothers in Christ:  The recently “widowed” see of the Metropolis of Chicago requires those who are responsible for its future to come to grips with the reality that they are confronting a Church in…

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity May the memory of Metropolitan Iakovos, who passed away, be blessed and eternal.  He served the Church in the United States for many decades and was head of the mid-western Metropolis for 38 years.  This interim period is a time to reflect upon his legacy and to look forward to the direction of Orthodoxy in the United States in this post-Conciliar Age. His passing affords the Church the opportunity to become unified by putting our theology into practice, “moving beyond words to actions…moving beyond what is mine and yours to what is ours”, as stated by…

Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] During their annual retreat held in Michigan on June 19-23, 2017, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America held a special session convening the Synodal Court which canonically deposed the Bishop Irineu [Duvlea], Auxiliary Bishop of the ROEA, from the status and all sacred functions of the episcopacy, removed him from the ranks of the clergy, and returned him to the status of a lay monk. The letter of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon to the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America reads as follows. ARCHPASTORAL LETTER TO…

Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America NEW YORK – In accordance with Article 14 of the Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the pertinent Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (Advisory and Consultative Role in Hierarchical Elections) and in light of the vacancy in the Holy Metropolis of Chicago, the Archdiocese publishes the list of candidates eligible for election to the Office of Metropolitan or Auxiliary Bishop. The list includes the names of Auxiliary Bishops, in order of ordination to the Episcopacy; and the names of other clergy in alphabetical order. This list has recently been…

Source: The National Herald Theodoros Kalmoukos On June 2, Metropolitan Iakovos fell asleep in the Lord. He was 89. It all happened so quickly, in just two days from the time he felt ill. He is the second hierarch in a very short period to pass away, and at an advanced age. Metropolitan Philotheos of Meloa died just two weeks earlier, at 93. Metropolitan Iakovos’ departure – he served the Chicago Metropolis for 38 years – marks an end for the local Church of Chicago and a new beginning will soon be inaugurated. It is widely known more or less…

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity Pentecost 2017 One year ago, the worldwide Christian Community was looking East to Chania, Crete to see what would   result from the gathering of Orthodox Bishops called together by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to meet as a Holy and Great Council.  The preparations for the meeting were 60 years in the making.  In 2008, the 14 Patriarchs and self-governing heads of the Churches of the old Roman Empire, the traditional Orthodox lands, agreed to meet and began discussions to settle on an agenda.  Within this 8-year time frame, 6 agenda items were agreed upon.   The meeting was…