Holy Synod of Bishops met on November 11 and 12
On Wednesday, November 11, and Thursday, November 12, 2020, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America met via teleconference under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. These were the second and third sessions of the regular fall Meeting of the Holy Synod of Bishops.
The Holy Synod deliberated on various matters relating to the governance of the Orthodox Church in America. The beginning of the Wednesday session was highlighted by the presence of His Eminence Archbishop David of Alaska, who despite his serious health condition was able to join the teleconference synod for about thirty minutes. The members of the Synod were all moved and encouraged by his determination to continue his episcopal work. His Eminence was able to discuss with the Synod matters related to his flock in the Diocese of Alaska, which is currently being administrated by His Grace Bishop Alexis of Bethesda.
Over the two days, the hierarchs reviewed the minutes of previous meetings and heard a report on external relations. His Beatitude presented a report on the funeral services of the newly departed Metropolitan Theodosius, which was followed by the singing of “Memory Eternal.” His Grace Bishop Alexis of Bethesda, who is also the chair of the Office of Pastoral Life, presented the updated Guidelines for Clergy Compensation to the Holy Synod. This document was approved by the Holy Synod, and will be posted separately in an accompanying story on OCA.org.
Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, the Secretary of the Board of Theological Education, presented the names of candidates for ordination. The Honorable Judge E.R. Lanier, the General Counsel of the Orthodox Church in America also updated the Synod on a variety of legal matters, while Archpriest Thomas Soroka, Project Manager of the Departments of the Orthodox Church in America, presented on the work of the departments.
For most of the Thursday session, the Holy Synod of Bishops met in closed session.
The Holy Synod plans to meet again in a partial in-person session in December to conclude their regular fall meeting.