Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • OCA Holy Synod Elects Archimandrite Vasily (Permiakov) as Bishop of San Francisco and the West
    • Dr. Vigen Guroian Speaking on the Unity of the Orthodox Church and Orthodox Christian Student Fellowships on College Campuses in America
    • American Orthodoxy Today: Results from the Pew and CES Surveys
    • Summer Edition (Vol. 1, No. 3, 2025) of the St Sophia Quarterly
    • The Power of a Backpack: A Short Film by FOCUS
    • OCMC Board of Directors Appoints Dr. Nathan Hoppe as New Executive Director
    • Suprasl: Enhancing the Awareness of Unity – July 2025 Newsletter
    • Video: A Vision for Orthodox Christianity’s Future in North America
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Governance & Unity News»Ninth Annual Assembly Convenes in Cleveland

    Ninth Annual Assembly Convenes in Cleveland

    0
    By Webmaster on October 3, 2018 Governance & Unity News, Governance Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link

    Source: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA

    CLEVELAND, OH – The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America convened its ninth annual meeting today in Cleveland, Ohio. The day began with a celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio.

    His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, Chairman of the Assembly, opened the meeting with a prayer. His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa, Secretary of the Assembly, took the roll call. Twenty-five hierarchs were present. Prior to the meeting, the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia notified the Chairman that they have suspended their participation in the Assembly in light of events currently ongoing in Ukraine.

    After the roll call, Archbishop Demetrios offered his opening remarks. Recalling the words of the Apostle St. Paul to the Corinthians, “A great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries (1 Cor. 16:9),” His Eminence continued “The door is open, but there are many adversaries for us, too.   Many challenges. This is why it is vitally important to be together, to act together, to strengthen the work of this Assembly.” He went on to express his sorrow at the absence of the Brothers of the Moscow Patriarchate and said, “given the various difficult matters of ecclesiastical and geopolitical significance our Mother Churches are dealing with, I take this opportunity to emphasize the need, now more than ever, for our Assembly to strengthen our relationships and continue our essential work serving the Orthodox faithful of this country.”

    After approval of the agenda and last year’s meeting minutes, Archbishop Michael, Treasurer of the Assembly, presented his financial report and proposed budget. The treasurer encouraged the hierarchs to continue to support the Assembly financially.

    The Secretary gave a brief update on the activities of the Assembly’s committees in 2018. The Secretary, who serves as the liaison for Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), emphasized the importance of OCF reaching out to Orthodox college freshmen during their first 40 days on campus, to engage them in the life of the Orthodox Church while at college. He called on the hierarchs to help OCF’s efforts by encouraging parishes to submit the names of matriculating college freshmen so that OCF can contact them.

    At the conclusion of the business session, two guest speakers, Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas, Professor Emeritus of Liturgics at Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology, and V. Rev. Dr. John Morris, Ph.D., Pastor Emeritus, presented to the hierarchs on the topic of baptism, chrismation and the reception of converts. The speakers emphasized the diverse practices across jurisdictions and even amongst hierarchs. The discussion revealed that this delicate matter must be researched further by the Assembly in order to arrive at a pastorally sensitive yet canonically appropriate response.

    Orthodox Christian Hierarchs Gather for Second Day of Annual Meeting

    Wednesday, October 03, 2018

    The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America convened in Cleveland, Ohio today for the second day of its ninth annual meeting.

    During the morning session, the Hierarchs discussed ways to support cross-jurisdictional cooperation among parishes at the local level. The Hierarchs issued the following statement in that regard:

    “The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America is committed to encouraging spiritual unity, communication, and cooperation among the parishes of various jurisdictions situated in the same geographic areas. The work of local clergy brotherhoods is a critical part of this process of achieving greater unity. In particular, the Assembly encourages all parishes to engage in joint liturgical events, educational activities, and outreach ministries, with respective hierarchical blessings.”

    The Hierarchs endorsed the upcoming Orthodox Camping and Youth Worker Conference to be held January 23-26, 2019 at the Antiochian Village. His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa, Secretary of the Assembly, strongly encouraged the participation of youth workers in the conference.

    In the afternoon session, the Hierarchs discussed an assessment of the Assembly’s accomplishments and challenges over the first nine years and began to identify some specific future objectives and priorities to achieve over the next several years. The Hierarchs reaffirmed their commitment to the mission of the Assembly and their desire to reinvigorate its work.

    View photos from the first day of Assembly IX in Cleveland, OH

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleRussian Patriarch Writes to Orthodox Churches’ Heads on ‘Ukrainian Autocephaly’
    Next Article Message of the 9th Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America

    Related Posts

    July 16, 20252 Mins Read

    OCA Holy Synod Elects Archimandrite Vasily (Permiakov) as Bishop of San Francisco and the West

    July 16, 20251 Min Read

    Dr. Vigen Guroian Speaking on the Unity of the Orthodox Church and Orthodox Christian Student Fellowships on College Campuses in America

    July 16, 20251 Min Read

    American Orthodoxy Today: Results from the Pew and CES Surveys

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Register for OCL's Annual Conference - October 11, 2025

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    Notice
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Jimmy Kallis on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Lou Gaviras on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • pERRY tORMAS on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Perry Tormas on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Myron Kaleras on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • Levantios on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • Jerry Maras on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • John on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • Jupiter's Son on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Timothy Mulligan on Ethno-Phyletism: A Problem for the American Church
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2023 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.