Browsing: OCA

Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] Over three dozen individuals were honored at commencement ceremonies at the Orthodox Church in America’s three seminaries during the month of May 2014. On the second weeked of May, Saint Herman’s Seminary, Kodiak, AK, honored and celebrated the ordinations of three graduates—Priests Simeon Askoak and Jason Isaac and Deacon Michael Trefon. Three additional students—Luke Levi, Mary Madsen and Alexander Larson—were awarded Reader Certificates. His Grace, Bishop David of Sitka and Alaska, delivered the commencement address, while Archimandrite Juvenaly [Repass], the seminary’s Chaplain, offered a special reflection on his six years of ministry…

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Source: Orthodox Church in America SOUTH CANAAN, PA [STOTS] Saint Tikhon’s Seminary here will host its annual Continuing Clergy Education Symposium June 17-19, 2014.  This is the second year that the school will provide this symposium to enable OCA priests and deacons to fulfill their annual 20 hours of continuing education studies mandated by the Holy Synod of Bishops. The list of speakers and topics to be included in this year’s symposium includes the following. “Spiritual Life in Saint Silouan the Athonite” by Christopher Veniamin, D. Phil. (Oxon.), Professor of Patristics at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary – Tuesday, June 17, at 1:00…

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Source: Orthodox Church in America PHILADELPHIA, PA [OCA] – The Rite of Installation, during which His Grace, Bishop Mark [Maymon] was enthroned as Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, was celebrated at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saint Stephen Cathedral here Saturday, May 10, 2014. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, presided at the Divine Liturgy.  In addition to Bishop Mark, His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate; His Eminence, Archbishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania; and His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, concelebrated.  Eight priests, including Priest Victor Gorodenchuk, Dean of Saint Stephen…

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SYOSSET, NY [OCA]- In response to a letter from the Hierarchical Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia dated January 13, 2014 and after much prayerful deliberation, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has released His Grace, Bishop Nikolai [Soraich], Former Bishop of Sitka, from the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church in America to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. According to conditions outlined by ROCOR, Bishop Nikolai is released as a retired Bishop and will not have the right to participate in meetings of the ROCOR Hierarchical Synod and Sobor. [subscribe2]

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Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA]- The spring session of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America will be held at the Chancery here Tuesday, March 18 through Friday, March 21, 2014. According to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary, “the meeting will coincide with a meeting of the Pension Board, which is slated to present its current strategic plan.  The SMPAC also will be meeting and will brief the Holy Synod on its current work and review the status of new policies.  Jim Geoly, Esq., an attorney who has briefed members of the…

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Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, has asked that prayers for peace and justice in Ukraine continue. Parishes, monasteries, and seminaries are requested to include the following petition in the Litany of Fervent Supplication:  “Again we pray that the people of Ukraine and Russia be granted the wisdom, mutual respect and love which will protect them from violence and preserve them in peace.” By way of background, recent events in Ukraine have catalyzed a major crisis.  The United States, the European Union and NATO are involved in reactions to the events in Crimea. …

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Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – For the third time in as many years, the chancellors and treasurers of the Orthodox Church in America’s dioceses gathered at the Chancery here on January 14, 2014 for a meeting with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon and the Church’s officers. The day began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy by Metropolitan Tikhon and Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, after which the chancellors and treasurers were welcomed. In his opening remarks, Metropolitan Tikhon noted that the “challenge” for the Church today is “to live who we are as the Orthodox Church in America.”  This,…

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Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] At their Fall 2013 meeting, members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America approved and issued a revised Policy, Standards, and Procedures on Sexual Misconductwith the goal of providing a safe and healthy environment for all of the faithful. A new page featuring detailed information and resources is now available on the OCA web site athttp://oca.org/about/sexual-misconduct.  Among the accessible resources are Policies, Standards, and Procedures of the Orthodox Church in America on Sexual Misconduct, a Summary and checklist of responsibilities and procedures, and Annual Parish Compliance Report forms. The site also offers…

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Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – New guidelines for ordination, appointments, and clergy transfers are now available on the web site of the Orthodox Church in America.  Also available is a summary regarding the transfer of non-OCA clergy into the OCA. “Revising these guidelines represents a year-long process,” said Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary.  “It involved the Holy Synod of Bishops, canonists, and seminary representatives working through the Board of Theological Education.  The members of the Holy Synod offered their approval at their Fall 2013 session.” Guidelines for Ordination, Appointment and Transfer of Clergy Guidelines for Petitioning for…

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Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – Archimandrite David [Mahaffey] was elected by the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America to fill the vacant Episcopal See of Sitka and Alaska on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. The election took place during the fall session of the Holy Synod at the OCA Chancery. Delegates to the Assembly of the Diocese of Alaska on September 15, 2012 had nominated Father David, who has been serving as the diocese’s Administrator and Chancellor, to fill the vacant See. His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, Locum Tenens of Episcopal…

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Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – The independent audit of the Orthodox Church in America’s financial records for the year ending December 31, 2012, conducted by the auditors Lambrides, Lamos, Taylor LLP, has been completed and is available on-line. “For the third consecutive year the OCA has been issued an unqualified or ‘clean’ audit opinion,” said Melanie Ringa, OCA Treasurer.  “The unqualified opinion is the best type of report an auditee can receive from the external auditor.” Ms. Ringa also noted that “the financial results for 2012 show total revenues of $2,780,295.00, total operating expenses of $2,124,224.00, with a…

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