Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America New Frequently Asked Questions have been added to the GOA Charter website (https://charter.goarch.org/faq), an interactive site dedicated to providing accurate, accessible, and up-to-date information regarding the proposed revisions to the GOA Charter. In the vein of the broad participation that has characterized the revision process, these FAQs reflect the questions, comments, and feedback shared by clergy and lay people through the site’s submission form. Individuals periodically receive emailed responses to their submissions from the GOA, as well. In addition to submitting questions through the Charter website, faithful are also encouraged to meet with His…
Browsing: Charter
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – The clergy and laity of the Metropolis of Chicago expressed their opposition to the Charter proposed and distributed by Archbishop Elpidophoros in person during their recent meeting on Friday, July 7, 2023. He called the meeting to express his thoughts on a new Charter for the Archdiocese of America, referring to them as “his personal” points of view, as he characteristically said. Specifically, at the meeting that took place at the Saints Peter and Paul parish in Chicago, there were about seventy priests from the communities of all the states that…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – In this article, The National Herald exclusively reveals part of the confidential report of what was said and discussed during the meeting at the Phanar between Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the metropolitans who are members of the Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of America, including Archbishop Elpidophoros, on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, on the issue of the Archdiocesan Charter. The report consists of twelve pages, is dated May 29, 2023, and is signed by Archimandrite Aetius, Ecclesiarch and Director of the Patriarchal Office. Today we are publishing some sections of the…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Reverend Protopresbyter James C. Moulketis, former Vicar of the Northern Region of the Metropolis of New Jersey and former Chair of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, discusses the importance of moving beyond our borders to restore togetherness and unity in Church. Sharing his support for revising the GOA Charter, he also notes the importance of dialogue and collaboration for strengthening our ministries and care for one another. A retired US Navy Reserve Chaplain (Captain), Fr. Moulketis has served the Church for over 50 years. He has also previously chaired the Archdiocesan Benefits Committee.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Meeting of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America participated in the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. His Eminence had the opportunity to brief the participants on the ongoing developments regarding the proposed revision of the Charter of the Archdiocese. His Eminence also proposed to the Holy and Sacred Synod that a Metropolitan be appointed as a hierarch for the current Metropolis of New Jersey. The Synod unanimously agreed. Under the existing charter, the hierarch with responsibility for the New Jersey Metropolis must…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has initiated a process to review and revise the Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and has given its blessing to have the Archdiocese participate in that process. The Charter defines the mission and function of the Archdiocese and sets the framework for its administrative structure. The review of the Charter, designed to assess our strengths and weaknesses, and to make revisions where appropriate, is a welcome sign of a healthy and dynamic institution. The Ecumenical Patriarchate has given its blessing to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros to…
Source: EXAPSALMOS By Dr. Anastasiou Vavouskou/ NATIONAL HERMIT Dr. Anastasios Vavouskos, Doctor of Ecclesiastical Law of the School of Law of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and of Archon Asikrites of M.t.CHE, with his article “intervention” in the “National Herald”, analyzes the issue of the amendment of the Statute of the Archdiocese of America . Mr. Vavouskos’ article reads as follows: For some time now, the issue of revising the Charter of the Archdiocese of America has been pending. Much has been written and even more has been heard about the probable tendencies and opinions of either the Ecumenical Patriarch and the…
Recent History of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Decisions Related to the GOA The recent record of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s “governance” of the GOA: The forced retirement of Archbishop Iakovos (1996); Rejection of the gathering of the Orthodox Bishops in America at Ligonier, Pennsylvania (1995); Election of Archbishop Spyridon (1997); Imposition of the current Charter against the wishes of the Los Angeles Clergy-Laity Congress (2003); Imposition of a new Archbishop from Turkey who has not served in the US, without any input or participation of the clergy or laity of the Archdiocese as required by previous Charters (2019); Unilateral “suspension” (2020) followed…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – Tension was created during the recent meeting of the Archdiocesan Council, which met for two days at the Westin hotel in Detroit, due to the issue of the Charter of the Archdiocese. The issue was again brought up for discussion by Archbishop Elpidophoros despite the contrary recommendations of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. According to our information, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago reacted by saying that the issue was “out of order” and emphasized that “the Patriarch told us during our meeting at the Phanar that we should not publicly discuss the issue of…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, as a member of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, participated in its deliberation, which was convened on the 29th and 30th of May under the leadership of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. This regular session brought significant decisions for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Central among these decisions was the mandate given to the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to further examine the Archbishop’s proposals for a comprehensive Charter revision. Affirming the Synod’s previous decision, His…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – The Ecumenical Patriarchate strongly rejected the proposals and attempts of Archbishop Elpidophoros to change the Charter of the Archdiocese of America. The message was conveyed during a meeting that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had with four of the seven members of the Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese on Wednesday, April 5, in Constantinople at the Phanar. The Metropolitans who participated were Methodios of Boston, Savas of Pittsburgh, Gerasimos of San Francisco, and Nathanael of Chicago. Also present at the meeting were Archbishop Elpidophoros, Metropolitan Emmanuel Geron of Chalcedon, Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – Nothing serious or substantial was achieved for the second time during the joint meeting of the committees on the Charter of the Archdiocese, which was convened at the Phanar on Tuesday, March 8, 2023. Initially, it was announced that the meeting was going to be held in Chalcedon, and the excuse used for the change of the location was that it was due to the work of the Holy Synod. We note here that the Synod’s first day was Monday, March 7, convened at the Phanar, and its second and final…