Conference of North America’s Orthodox bishops opens in Chicago

CHICAGO, IL [OCA Communications] — His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, was among the 27 Orthodox hierarchs from across North America participating in the third conference of bishops sponsored by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas [SCOBA] that opened here on Tuesday, October 3, 2006.

SCOBA chairman, His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, opened the gathering with a service of prayer and welcoming remarks, in which he challenged the participants to work toward full cooperation among all Orthodox Christians in an effort to expand programs, cooperation, and social interaction.

The hierarchs engaged in an extensive discussion of the work of International Orthodox Christian Charities, which is currently offering assistance in Ethiopia, the West Bank, and other venues, as well as offering ongoing assistance to Hurricane Katrina victims. The work of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, and the recently organized Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry was also reviewed.

On Wednesday, the hierarchs participated in workshops on the coordination and establishment of new parishes, dealing with sexual misconduct, and youth. Thursday’s agenda includes presentations on the work of a number of pan-Orthodox initiatives, including ZOE for Life, the Orthodox Peace Fellowship, Project Mexico, the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion, and the Fellowship of the Transfiguration, which is involved with environmental concerns.

The conference will conclude on Friday morning with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at Chicago’s Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. A press conference, at which an official communique will be issued, will follow.