Ottawa’s Annunciation Cathedral hosts first town hall meeting
The first town hall meeting in preparation for the Orthodox Church in America’s 15th All-American Council was held at Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral here on Saturday, June 7, 2008.
His Eminence, Archbishop Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada and His Grace, Bishop Nikon of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese and chair of the Preconciliar Commission, attended the gathering, at which the Archpriest Andrew Jarmus, OCA Director of Ministries and Communications, served as facilitator. Cathedral Dean and Preconciliar Commission member, Archpriest John Jillions, served as a recorder for the meeting. Twenty-five clergy and laypersons from the Ottawa area, Montreal, upstate New York, and Wisconsin participated.
In his opening remarks, Archbishop Seraphim commented on the value of gathering for dialogue. He shared his hope that the day would be positive with everyone taking part.
“Participants engaged in an open and frank discussion about the impact that the crisis in the OCA over the past several years has had on them,” said Father Jarmus. “Some spoke of broken trust in the leadership of the Church, of feeling neglected and abused, and of feeling that their voices and concerns had not been heard or valued. Others expressed the opinion that such incidents are not new to the life of the Church and that, while the issue of mismanagement in the OCA central administration must be addressed with due diligence, it is not a ‘crisis’ as such. All shared the feeling that this situation offers the Church an opportunity to witness how Christians deal with adverse situations, both as individuals and as a collective body.”
“In their closing remarks on Saturday, both hierarchs expressed their appreciation for the participants’ candor during the meeting,” Father Jarmus concluded. “Many who took part on the meeting expressed their satisfaction with the process, saying that it allowed them to express their feelings and concerns in a civil and open manner, even when opinions were divergent and in opposition.”
On Sunday, June 8, Bishop Nikon concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Seraphim, the cathedral’s clergy, and guest clergy. In his sermon, Bishop Nikon spoke of the value of listening to others and defined true listening as taking an “active interest” in the other. He also reminded those gathered that one’s limitations are not excuses for inaction when called to serve God.
The proceedings of the Ottawa town hall meeting may be reviewed in more detail through the notes taken during the sessions, which are now posted on the 15th All-American Council blog.
The next town hall meeting will be held in Dallas, TX during the Assembly of the Diocese of the South, June 24, 2008