Metropolitan Council proposes appointees for offices of Chancellor, Treasurer, and Director of Ministries and Communications

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] — On Tuesday, March 13, 2007, the members of the Metropolitan Council of the Orthodox Church in America nominated three individuals to fill the vacant positions of Chancellor, Treasurer, and Director of Ministries and Communications.

Metropolitan Council members approved the postponement of nomination for the position of Secretary. A search for additional candidates will be undertaken.

The nominees’ names will be presented to the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops during their spring session, slated to be held during the week of March 19, 2007.

A statement issued at the conclusion of the first day of the two-day meeting reads as follows.

“The Metropolitan Council recommends that the Holy Synod approve the appointment of the following three people to positions in the central administration offices of the Church. The process of identifying these people has been open, competitive, unbiased, and objective. That process has, in the judgment of the Metropolitan Council, yielded outstanding nominees.

“Chancellor: V. Rev. Alexander Garklavs, currently pastor of Holy Trinity Church, East Meadow, NY. Fr. Garklavs has a proven record of pastoral care and concern for other pastors, a record of personal integrity, and the trust of clergy and faithful. He has shown great stability as a pastor. He has a working knowledge of and familiarity with church administration, and a grasp of the seminaries’ mandates and weaknesses. He is very capable in organizing and leading large gatherings and in maintaining a cool control of dissenting personalities—a key trait for the Chancellor position. Also, a sense of trust and commitment to transparency are needed, and these are the qualities that the Metropolitan Council’s selection team recognized concretely in Fr. Alexander. Fr. Alexander’s background indicates that he will take a conciliar approach to church administration and will include and cultivate many skilled persons to help heal the central Church administration.

“Treasurer: Mr. Kevin Kovalycsik. Mr. Kovalycsik is a parishioner at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in New York City. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, an MBA from Seton Hall University with emphasis in Economics, and an MPA degree from Columbia University with emphasis in Advanced Management and Finance. He has work experience with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, where he held successively responsible management/executive positions. He has consulted worldwide and is a strong communicator. He is bright and committed; his application was eloquent in stating his desire to work for the Church at this time and for the foreseeable future.

“Director of Ministries and Communications: Rev. Andrew Jarmus, Priest-in-Charge, Mission of the Theotokos and the Life-Giving Spring, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. Fr. Jarmus will bring excellent ministerial experience to the position, including eight years as the Director of Mission and Education for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and five years as that Church’s Director of Communications. He has also been the Chairman of the Ukrainian Church of Canada’s Clergy Development Committee. Educationally, he has both a Master of Theology and a Master of Divinity degree. Fr. Jarmus presents a positive, realistic team leadership philosophy with directly relevant practical experience and an excellent sense of the value and handling of volunteer staffs. He has solid parish experience as well as having worked at the larger national church perspective. The selection team for this position was unanimous and enthusiastic in recommending his appointment.”

The Metropolitan Council will conclude its meeting on Wednesday, March 14, 2007.