Holy Synod of Bishops concludes spring session

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America held its spring session at the Chancery here Tuesday through Thursday, March 12-14, 2013.

In addition to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, who chaired the sessions, other members of the Holy Synod in attendance were His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel; His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon; His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin; His Eminence, Archbishop Alejo; His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek; His Grace, Bishop Michael; His Grace, Bishop Alexander; His Grace, Bishop Mark; and His Grace, Bishop Irenee.
“It has been a little over a month since my enthronement in Washington, DC on January 27, and this report will serve as my monthly review for that time period,” said Metropolitan Tikhon in his opening address. “It is still my hope to provide my brother bishops with regular updates on the most crucial matters affecting the Orthodox Church in America in order to increase our level of communication and reduce the amount of time needed to review matters when we meet. In my first address to the Church, I stated that I had ‘no agenda other than that given to the Holy Apostles, no vision other than that set forth in the Holy Gospels, in the writings of the Fathers and in the decisions of the holy and sacred councils.’ I am nevertheless conscious of the high expectations that are placed on the office of the Primate and that these expectations fall to every one of us on the Holy Synod.”

Highlights of the session, according to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary, include the following.

• Each diocesan bishop offered an update on the activities of his respective diocese. The Holy Synod discussed vacancies throughout the OCA and the possible assignments of seminarians from Saint Herman’s, Saint Tikhon’s, and Saint Vladimir’s Seminaries.
• Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor, reported on financial structures within the OCA. Various means of stewardship and ways to revitalize voluntary giving to the Church were discussed. Father John also introduced the newly appointed Coordinator of the Office for Review of Sexual Misconduct Allegations, Cindy Davis.
• In response to Father Tosi’s Secretary report, the Holy Synod approved the recommendation of the Metropolitan Council to reschedule the 18th All-American Council [AAC] from 2014 to July 2015. A provisional Pre-Conciliar Commission [PCC] has been appointed. Among the locations being considered by the PCC are Detroit, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Denver. The Holy Synod directed that there be a youth fellowship component included in the AAC schedule. It is anticipated that the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America will host its convention concurrently. There will be extensive work prior to the Council on finance and Statute revisions. The Holy Synod also considered ways in which the All-American Council will operate to ensure the efficient and productive use of the limited time available for plenary sessions.
• OCA Treasurer Melanie Ringa presented a detailed financial report. Ms. Ringa advised the hierarchs on the recent meeting of diocesan chancellors and treasurers. Her report will be available and posted on the OCA web site in the coming days.
• Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky, Director of External Affairs, reported on developments among the Orthodox Churches worldwide.
• The Holy Synod reviewed the work of all departments, and in particular, received a presentation on theDepartment of Continuing Education by department chair, Archpriest Ian Pac-Urar. The recently formed department is overseeing the required 20 hours of continuing education program mandated for each bishop, priest and deacon and assisting in coordinating the program with each diocesan bishop.
• The Guidelines for the Ordination, Appointment, and Transfer of Clergy, presented by the Board of Theological Education, were approved with editorial changes, while candidates for ordination to the diaconate through the Diaconal Vocations Program were reviewed and recommendations were approved.
• The Holy Synod reviewed the revised Policies, Standards and Procedures on Sexual Misconduct and sent back recommendations for editorial changes and further clarification.
• Clergy awards were discussed and approved.
• The Holy Synod reviewed its Charter for the Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory Committee.
• A committee was appointed to review texts for prayers and services for departed pre-born and stillborn children. It will be headed by Archbishop Benjamin and will include a liturgical theologian, a canon lawyer, and a mother.
• The Holy Synod reviewed its upcoming calendar for the remainder of 2013 and set dates for meetings, retreats, and other special events. There will be a Holy Synod retreat in the summer of 2013. The hierarchs will attend the fourth annual Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in North and Central America, September 17-19, 2013.
• The fall meeting of the Metropolitan Council and Lesser Synod will take place September 23-26, 2013, while the fall meeting of the Holy Synod will convene October 15-17.
• The Holy Synod approved Metropolitan Tikhon’s proposal that he and the Chancellor, Archpriest John Jillions, represent the OCA at the inauguration of Pope Francis in Rome on Tuesday, March 19. It was noted that the OCA has been represented by a bishop and priest at the inauguration of each new Pope since 1970. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is organizing the participation of official delegations.

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OCA hosts second annual meeting of diocesan chancellors, treasurers

SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – 21/2/13

The second annual meeting of the chancellors and treasurers of 10 of the Orthodox Church in America’s dioceses was held at the Chancery here on Tuesday, February 19, 2013.

The chancellors and treasurers met with Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor; Archpriest Eric Tosi, Secretary; Mrs. Melanie Ringa, Treasurer; and Priest Gleb McFatter, who chairs the Metropolitan Council Finance Committee.   His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, was unable to attend due to a prior commitment in Chicago; however, he sent a written message which was read to the group by Father Jillions.  [The text of Metropolitan Tikhon’s message may be read here.]

The meeting was held for the purpose of continuing the work initiated in January 2012 in response to the resolution on assessments passed at the 16th All-American Council held in November 2011.  New to the group this year were representatives from the Archdiocese of Canada, the Diocese of Alaska, and the Bulgarian Diocese.   Invited representatives from the Albanian Archdiocese and Romanian Episcopate were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.

After initial remarks by Father Jillions, each representative offered an update on activities in his or her respective diocese while highlighting any concerns, challenges and major issues.   The meeting then focused more directly on the progress made by each diocese during the past year to collect parish financial data on which to base a formula for the transition to a proportional giving or “tithing” methodology.

“In addition, several of the dioceses have held conferences and seminars on stewardship and tithing; some have set dates by which to complete the transition to tithing, with these dates ranging from imminent to several years out,” said Ms. Ringa.  “It became apparent that, while all dioceses share a desire to accomplish this goal, the challenges faced by the more ‘mature’ dioceses, such as Eastern Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, and New England, are vastly different than those encountered by dioceses such as the South and West.”

The discussion on this transition was “lively, with many potential formulas offered,” Ms. Ringa added.  “The primary challenge centers on developing a formula that will accommodate each diocese’s distinct circumstances.”

The treasurers of the aforementioned dioceses expressed enthusiasm for working together and with Ms. Ringa via conference calls over the next year to exchange ideas and work towards a more concrete plan for the transition to proportional giving in their dioceses.

Those participating in the meeting further expressed their support for continuing and funding the work of the Central Church Administration, which has pledged to assist the dioceses in their respective ministries.

OCA Youth Department launches new grant program

SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – 8/3/13

With the approval of theMetropolitan Council of the Orthodox Church in America, the OCA Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministrylaunched its Saint Peter the Aleut Grant Program. The grant will be available to any youth or young adults seeking to offset costs of attending retreats, workshops, or conferences, or to visit an OCA seminary or monastery to discern a vocation.  In addition, clergy and lay people may apply for assistance to offset the costs of continuing education in the field of youth ministry.

“We want to show that the greater Church supports our youth as they seek to deepen their life in Christ, and supports those who wish to develop their youth ministry skills,” said Andrew Boyd, OCA Youth Director. “To that end, we want to open this small grant program to as many individuals as possible. While award amounts will be small, in the area of $100-$500 dollars, we hope to partner with local parishes and dioceses to offer more comprehensive encouragement and assistance.”

Applications and detailed grant information may be accessed here.

Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year. There is no deadline, but funding is on a first-come, first-served basis. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate additional support from a parish or diocese.

“The seed money is from the The Antonia Rotko Charitable Remainder Trust, which gave a donation of $110,411.95 in 2011 to the Orthodox Church in America specifically for Youth and Young Adult Ministry,” said Melanie Ringa, OCA Treasurer. “At the start of each year, the Finance Committee of the Metropolitan Council will set the amount that grant can distribute throughout the year based on our endowment distribution policies.”

The process for awarding the grants will be overseen by a committee composed of Andrew Boyd, OCA Youth Director; Priest Christopher Rowe from the Diocese of the Midwest; Jeremy Pletnikoff, a member of the Metropolitan Council Finance Committee and delegate from the Diocese of Alaska.

For more information about the grant program or to apply, please contact Andrew Boyd at aboyd@oca.org.