OCA Metropolitan Council to meet March 13-14, 2007

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] — The Metropolitan Council of the Orthodox Church in America will hold its spring session on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 13 and 14, 2007 here.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, will preside at the meeting.

Council members will address a wide variety of administrative, financial, and other issues. Reports will be given by the Reorganizational Task Force; the Search Committee; the transition officer, Deacon John Zarras; the Audit, Finance, Charity, and Investment Committees; and others. His Eminence, Archbishop Job of Chicago and the Midwest will report on the work of the Investigation Committee. A report on “Best Practices” as it conforms to New York State law will also be offered.

According to the Statute of The Orthodox Church in America, Article 5, the Metropolitan Council is the permanent executive body of the Church Administration which exists for the purpose of implementing the decisions of the All-American Council and continuing its work between sessions.

The Metropolitan Council, according to the Statute, consists of the Metropolitan as chairman, the chancellor, the secretary, and the treasurer; two representatives from each diocese, one priest and one layperson elected by the diocesan assemblies; and three priests and three laypersons elected by the All-American Council. Vacancies occurring among diocesan representatives are filled by the respective dioceses, while two alternates—one priest and one layperson—are elected by the All-American Council, to fill vacancies occurring among members elected by the All-American Council. All elected members, whether representing the several dioceses or those elected by the All-American Council, succeed themselves in office for one term only.