Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai
    • Council of Nicaea anniversary is call to Christian unity, speakers say
    • Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award
    • Save the Date: October 11, 2025 – Frederica Mathewes-Green to Headline OCL’s 38th Annual Conference
    • Metropolitan Elder Dimitrios of the Princes’ Islands Named Honorary Doctor in Athens
    • Fordham’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center Annual Benefit Reception on June 16
    • Saint-Sophia-Seminary-Quarterly-No. 2
    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»Orthodox Christian Laity»OCL News»ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    2
    By Webmaster on August 18, 2020 OCL News, Orthodox Christian Laity, Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link

    Source: Orthodox Christian Laity

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Contact:
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Phone:
    561-585-0245
    Email: ocladmin@ocl.org

    [West Palm Beach, FL, August 18, 2020] Thirty-one years ago, the Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) was founded by a far-seeing group of Orthodox Christian lay leaders, seeking to restore the historic role of the laity in Orthodox church governance, and focusing on transparency, accountability, and American Orthodox unity. Through these opening decades, OCL has led important discussions about the future of the Church in America, and through its public forums, advocacy, publishing, and altruistic leadership, has helped promote the cause of a vibrant American Orthodox Church for future generations.

    In this history of service, OCL has been almost exclusively a volunteer organization, drawing upon the talents and passions of many of the most accomplished Orthodox citizens of the United States, as well as like-minded members of the clergy and hierarchy. Today, several hierarchs in America serve on OCL’s Advisory Council. But for most of its history, OCL has had a professional Executive Director at its helm, managing its diverse operations.

    This year, after 20 years of enlightened leadership as Executive Director, George Matsoukas has stepped down. After thoughtful consideration, the board of directors of OCL unanimously approved the appointment of David Oancea as its Executive Director beginning September 1, 2020. The transition began in mid-July.

    David Oancea is eminently qualified to undertake this position and its responsibilities, as he has served as OCL’s webmaster for the past 17 years.  His commitment to OCL is proven, and he is passionate about its mission of working toward and supporting all efforts in the creation of an administratively-unified Orthodox Christian Church in America, that is transparent and accountable to all members of the Orthodox community. He is an advocate of lay inclusion and participation in all aspects of church governance.  He believes deeply in Orthodox Christian unity, and that such unity is essential to Orthodoxy’s witness to Christ in this part of the world. He is a worthy successor to lead the organization to face the challenges that its mission presents.

    Argo Pyle, President of Orthodox Christian Laity, said: “David brings a lifetime of education and work experiences to this position. He represents a new generation with excellent human relations and technical communication skills. We are delighted that David has accepted the challenge.

    “He needs the support and input from all Orthodox Christians in America, and beyond, to achieve OCL’s vision and goals. Please share your ideas, comments and stories on OCL’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OrthodoxChristianLaity/) or via email (ocladmin@ocl.org). Consider offering your time and talents by joining the OCL movement in any way you can. We look forward to welcoming the next generation of board members and volunteers! So many Pan-Orthodox projects are already happening in local communities. Let us know how Orthodox Christians from various jurisdictions in your area are working together in community service projects, so that we may highlight this living-out of the gospel through grassroots Orthodox unity.”

    George Matsoukas, retiring Executive Director of OCL, issued the following statement: “David is the ideal successor. He brings renewed energy and a great vision to the position. He has a strong foundation to stand on, and he is the individual who will bring OCL to new levels with God’s help, the cooperation of clergy and laity, and your involvement and support.  I have so enjoyed my twenty-year tenure as director, and I am excited about what the future, under David’s stewardship, will bring.”

    David Oancea hails from Canton, Ohio, where he grew up in a parish of the Romanian Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, he received a Master of Divinity degree from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY. While at St. Vladimir’s, he also participated in the student exchange program for one semester at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA. Since 1988, David has worked in various capacities at The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, Jackson, MI, and most recently as Chancellor. For the past 17 years, he has also worked for Orthodox Christian Laity as website content administrator and webmaster.

    PRESS RELEASE IN PDF FORMAT

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleArchbishop Elpidophoros Departs for Istanbul
    Next Article Seventh Annual Parish Development Forum Attracts 140 Participants

    Related Posts

    June 12, 20255 Mins Read

    ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes

    June 10, 20254 Mins Read

    Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai

    June 2, 20252 Mins Read

    Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award

    2 Comments

    1. Dean Calvert on September 5, 2020 3:11 pm

      Someone above was talking about REALITY.

      REALITY is that OCL, having become the ‘voice of the laity’ in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, has faded into oblivion during the past 10 years. It reminds me of NATO…an organization in search of a new mission.

      This is GREAT news for both OCL and David.

      New blood is needed and is LONG overdue.

      David is a good man and will do us proud.

      AXIOS!!!

      Reply
    2. George D. Karcazes on September 8, 2020 2:13 pm

      Hi Dean,

      It is always great hearing voices from the 1990’s and early 2000’s. I certainly agree that David is a good man who richly deserves the designation of “Worthy”. I suppose that saying that he will do “us” proud means that you continue to identify with OCL’s mission and goals of: Orthodox Unity in America, active lay participation in, and transparency and accountability in Church governance. Sorry that you believe that OCL has “faded into oblivion during the past ten years”.

      Perhaps I’m missing something. Who else has been the voice of the laity concerning these issues during the past ten years, if not OCL?

      Reminds me of the old political cartoon of the little girl sitting on her father’s lap with the caption: “What did YOU do during the war, Daddy?”

      George

      Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

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

    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
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Procopius on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Procopius on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • John Fronime on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Nn on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Member on Ex-Clergyman, Sexually Abused at 17 by His Priest, Attempted Suicide
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Luke on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    • Webmaster on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    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.