Agenda for Holy Synod of Bishops’ October 4-6 meeting released
The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America will meet at Saint Sergius of Radonezh Chapel at the Chancery here Tuesday-Thursday, October 4-6, 2011.
According to the official agenda released by Chancery officials on Monday, after His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, offers the opening prayer, the election of Archimandrite Alexander [Golitzin] as Bishop of the OCA’s Bulgarian Diocese will be held. Father Alexander was nominated by delegates to the diocese’s Congress/Sobor in June 2011. His name was then submitted to the Holy Synod for canonical election.
Metropolitan Jonah is then slated to deliver his opening remarks, followed by the report of His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek, Acting Chancellor. The report includes the results of the search for a new Chancellor. Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, Secretary, also will deliver his report at the opening session.
Following a meeting with the Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory Committee, Mrs. Melanie Ringa will deliver the Treasurer’s report, which includes an overview of 2010 finances and the results of the 2010 audit. The 2012 budget also will be presented. Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky then will deliver a report on external affairs.
The remainder of the agenda includes reports from the OCA’s departments and committees, clergy and legal issues, and an update on plans for the 16th All-American Council October 31-November 4, 2011.
On Thursday, October 6, the Feast of Saint Innocent of Moscow, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated, after which the hierarchs will hear the report of the Board of Theological Education by His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. Additional issues will be discussed in a closed session.
Metropolitan Jonah will adjourn the session late Thursday afternoon.
The Holy Synod is composed of the Primate of the Church, who chairs its sessions, and all ruling diocesan bishops.