Holy Synod of Bishops’ Fall Session to open October 23
The members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America will gather at the Chancery for their Fall Session from Tuesday, October 23 through Friday, October 26, 2018.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon will open the session with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Chancery’s Saint Sergius of Radonezh Chapel on Tuesday, October 23.
In addition to Metropolitan Tikhon’s address to the Holy Synod, reports from the Chancellor, Secretary, Treasurer, and General Counsel will be offered. The recent meeting of the Metropolitan Council also will be reviewed, specifically with regard to a number of documents and issues brought forth at the recent 19th All-American Council [AAC]. Protopresbyter Leonid Kishkovsky, Director of External Affairs, will offer a review of current issues in world Orthodoxy.
During the week, the members of the Holy Synod will meet with the diocesan chancellors and treasurers, who customarily gather annually to discuss finances, budgets and related matters. This will mark the first time that they will meet as a group with the Holy Synod members.
A key item on the agenda will be the current restructuring of the Chancery and the status of the OCA’s various departments, boards and commissions. Specific plans regarding the Department of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry, in light of the initiative to engage a youth director presented at the 19th AAC, also will be reviewed in detail.
The Holy Synod of Bishops is the supreme canonical authority in the Orthodox Church in America. Chaired by the Metropolitan, the Synod includes as voting members all diocesan bishops.