Browsing: Governance & Unity News

Source: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the USA Istanbul—On Tuesday, June 16, 2015 His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew warmly received the Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America at the Phanar in Constantinople. During the meeting, which took place in a spirit of open exchange in the personal office of the Ecumenical Patriarch, the hierarchs reviewed with His All-Holiness the work of the Assembly of Bishops, especially as it relates to the overall work of its committees. Particular attention was given to the work of the Committees for Pastoral Practice and…

Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA]  The annual retreat of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America concluded on June 11, 2015.  [See related story.] In addition to participating in the daily cycle of services at Holy Dormition Monastery, Rives Junction, MI, retreat site, and reflecting on a number of spiritual themes, including that of the forthcoming 18th All-American Council, the hierarchs engaged in sessions of a practical nature. Highlights of these sessions include the following. In his opening report, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, reflected on the positive role of the OCA in the…

Source: Orthodox in the District Dear friends in Christ, It is with a glad heart full of rejoicing that I share with you that earlier today Metropolitan Jonah received a signed letter of official release from Metropolitan Tikhon and the Synod of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) releasing him to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral), First Hierarch of ROCOR, has been notified that the OCA Synod has, at long last, made good on their promise to release Metropolitan Jonah. Vladyka Jonah is thus received into ROCOR’s jurisdiction as a retired Metropolitan.…

Source: Orthodox Church in America RIVES JUNCTION, MI [OCA]  The members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America began their annual retreat at Holy Dormition Monastery here on Tuesday, June 9, 2015. Within the context of the celebration of the daily liturgical cycle of Vespers, Matins and the Hours, the Holy Synod is considering a variety of matters, including the theme of the forthcoming 18th All-American Council[AAC], “How to Expand the Mission,” in light of current issues affecting the Church in North America and beyond.  His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon offered an opening reflection on progress…

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity The Assembly of Bishops has been meeting for six years.  June 2015 is a critical month and time period in their efforts to develop a plan to make the administrative life of the Orthodox Church in the United States canonical.  Orthodox ecclesiology dictates that the Church be organized in geographic areas with one bishop in one city.  Overlapping jurisdictions weaken the Commandment of Christ to make disciples of All Nations.  Bishops are not foreign agents.  Governments of other countries have no place in directing the actions of Bishops in the USA.  We need a single Synod…

Source: Ancient Faith Radio June 05, 2015 Length: 27:30 On June 16, 2015 the Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States will travel to Istanbul in order to meet with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who will receive them at the Phanar. Special Assistant to the Assembly Chairman, Fr. Nathanael Symeonides joins us to tell us what that is all about. Direct link Play in Popup Download Send Feedback [subscribe2]

Source: Orthodox Reformer Orthodox Christians have one of the lowest rates of retention across Christian and non-Christian denominations. Only 53% of adults who were raised in the Orthodox Church still identify themselves as Orthodox Christians. Compare that to Hindus (80%), Jewish (75%), Mormon (64%) and Catholic (59%). – Courtesy Go Truth Reform , data from pg. 39 of the PEW Report The past month has been a whirlwind for the GOA. The recently published Pew Report and informal reports coming from GOA insiders portray a general decline in our churches nationwide. Unrest has been spreading around the internet and a…

Source: Orthodox Peace Fellowship The 15th Western European Orthodox Congress took place in Bordeaux (France) from April 30th to May 3rd, 2015, under the aegis of the Council of Orthodox Bishops of France (AEOF). This 15th edition, the first congress being held in 1971, was attended by around 600 participants from various Orthodox dioceses in Western Europe and further, who came to share their view of what it means to be a Christian “being in the world, but not of the world”. The subject was pursued in four plenary conferences, three round tables and around thirty workshops, as well as…

Editor’s note: The Orthodox Christian Church in the United States is in Crisis. What actions will the Assembly of Bishops take? Stonewalling and ignoring the facts only contributes to the decline of Orthodoxy in the USA.  By a Layperson in the New Jersey Metropolis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese An extensive, highly-cited study of religious trends and affiliation of Americans [America’s Changing Religious Landscape] published on May 12 by the well-regarded Pew Research Center found that the Christian share of the U.S. religious population is declining, while the number of U.S. adults who do not identify with any organized religion…

Source: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA On June 16, the Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America will travel to Istanbul in order to meet with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who will receive them at the Phanar. The meeting is scheduled prior to the annual meeting of the Assembly in September in order to share with the Ecumenical Patriarch the overall work of the Assembly of Bishops, particularly as it relates to the achievements of its committees, and to discuss preparations for the upcoming Great and Holy Council,…

Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA]  The Delegate Handbook for the 18th All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America has been released in accordance with Article III, Section 5 A of the current OCA Statute, which mandates the Preconciliar Commission “to publish and distribute the agenda, notices, and arrangements for the All-American Council at least 60 days prior to the established date.” The complete Handbook may be downloaded here. “The Handbook contains instructions for delegates, AAC procedures, the proposed agenda, and other pertinent information,” said Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary.  “Also included are two proposed resolutions,…

Source: Share the Faith Ministries Share the Faith Ministries has a new web site.  The purpose of the ministry is to assist clergy who do not have parish assignments or who hold low paying secular jobs to network with each other and to develop a funding source to assist them with their part-time ministries. [subscribe2]