Joint meeting of the Holy Synod and Metropolitan Council Wednesday, October 17, 2007
On Wednesday, October 17, 2007, the Holy Synod of Bishops and the Metropolitan Council met in a joint session. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, greeted the assembly with brief comments. The combined group then met for six hours, engaging in a wide range of discussions.
Report from the Holy Synod of Bishops: His Eminence, Archbishop Seraphim, reported on the session of Holy Synod of Bishop on Tuesday, October 16, 2007.
- The Holy Synod heard and will decide on the appeal of Robert S. Kondratick. In discussion, Metropolitan Council members emphasized the crucial importance to the Church as a whole that the appeal be decided as soon as possible.
- The Holy Synod clarified that the removal of a member from the first Special Investigative Committee was an action taken by the Holy Synod of Bishops as a whole.
- The Holy Synod has determined that the Church’s “Best Practice Policies and Procedures for Financial Accountability” document needs revision to conform to the OCA’s statute and wider Orthodox polity. In discussion, the hierarchs clarified that the OCA will continue to operate under the current “Best Practices” document while revisions are being considered and incorporated.
- The Holy Synod noted that there was clarification in writing stating that The Orthodox Church in America was itself the client of the law firm of Proskauer Rose.
- With the recent repose of His Eminence, Archbishop Kyrill of Pittsburgh, the Diocese of Western Pennsylvania is declared vacant. The Holy Synod has now initiated the process of finding a successor for the late Archbishop Kyrill.
Special Investigative Committee: Metropolitan Council members presented and explained the Resolution passed by that body on October 16. The Council’s Resolution calls for a Committee that reports both to the Council and to the Holy Synod, with specific provisions to protect against infringements on its independence. After discussion, the hierarchs of the Holy Synod conferred and gave their blessing to a joint Holy Synod/Metropolitan Council Special Investigative Committee with seven specific guidelines as recommended by the Council for its scope, operations, and reporting.
OCA Treasurer: The Metropolitan Council heard the report of the Organizational Task Force and endorsed its recommendation for appointment of Priest Michael Tassos as the new Treasurer of the Orthodox Church in America. In combined session, the Holy Synod approved the Council’s nomination of Father Tassos.
Father Michael Tassos attended St. Vladimir’s Seminary, and has been serving as a priest in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese for 10 years. He has worked as a Certified Public Accountant for 11 years. Father Michael has worked with companies such as Price Waterhouse and Capitol Records. From 1995 to 2001 he was the Chief Financial Officer of one of the largest medical practices in the state of West Virginia and was actively involved as a member of the board of directors and chairman of the finance committee of Covenant House, West Virginia. In 2002 he and his family moved to California, where Father Tassos worked as the Business Manager for another large medical practice for three years. He then worked for two years as the Chief Financial Officer for a publicly traded company specializing in ambulatory surgery centers.
In addition to his parish and secular work, Father Michael has been a financial advisor and member of the board of directors of Conciliar Press Ministries. Father Michael is very active as a consultant to various medical practices as well as numerous not-for-profit organizations. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the Orthodox Church as well as accounting and financial reporting background for not-for-profit organizations.
Father Michael will begin his work at the OCA Chancery as soon as the details of his relocation to Long Island have been finalized.
15th All-American Council (AAC):
The Holy Synod of Bishops heard recommendations from the Metropolitan Council to hold the 15th All-American Council in Pittsburgh, PA, November 10-13, 2008. The date and location were approved by the Holy Synod.
Accountant’s Update: Frank Sluter from the accounting firm Satty, Levine & Ciacco, summarized the Church’s December 31, 2006, audit report and progress for the first half of 2007. In each case, he reported that the Church is complying with Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures.
Financial Reports: The combined Holy Synod/Metropolitan Council heard reports from the OCA’s Acting Treasurer, Archpriest Paul Kucynda, on outstanding invoices for accounting work. Outstanding invoices from the accounting firm Lambrides, Lamos, and Moulthrop, LLP, total $11, 522.00. Total billed by that firm is $214,710.25. Outstanding invoices from the law firm Proskauer Rose, LLP, total $105,624.97. Total billed is $337,455.48, which includes a 10% reduction granted the Church by Proskauer Rose.
2007 and 2008 Budgets: Archpriest Matthew Tate, Chairman of the Metropolitan Council Financial Committee, discussed budgets for 2007 and 2008. He reported to the combined groups that further measures will have to be taken to meet budgetary restrictions resulting from an approximate $250,000.00 loss of income in 2007 due to diocesan assessment withholdings.
Father Matthew presented a 2008 budget with a projected surplus of approximately $179,000.00. The 2008 budget passed unanimously.
Committee Reports: The combined body heard other reports from the Council’s newly formed Committees.
A written report was received from the Internal Audit Committee. Committee Chair, Mary Caetta, reported that the formation of her committee is still in process. She also said that, to the date of her report, not all members of the Holy Synod of Bishops and the Metropolitan Council had signed the “Best Practices” compliance documentation. At the time of the meetings all present except one Metropolitan Council member and one hierarch had signed. As Ms. Caetta is an out-going Metropolitan Council member, a new chair will have to be appointed for this committee.
Archpriest Mark Sherman, Chair of the Ethics Committee, reported that his committee is working on a policies and procedures document that will guide the manner in which the committee functions. The document will be shared with the Metropolitan Council when completed.
Charity Committee Chair, Archpriest John Reeves, reported on the distribution of 9/11 funds forwarded to New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS); NYDIS is providing the Church with regular updates detailing their relief allocations. The Metropolitan Council also approved the committee’s guidelines directing the allocation of other appeal monies.
Other Business: The Holy Synod and Metropolitan Council reviewed plans for selection of a law firm to serve as General Counsel of the Church. There were eight applications for this position. A group of legal professionals will be brought together to review the credentials and suitability of each applicant. This group will form a “short list” from which the Metropolitan Council will make their decision.