7.27.10 - both stories updated
News From Around The OCA

• Kiev, Ukraine
The Synod of dissident Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate, led by the former Russian Orthodox Metropolitan of Kiev, Filaret, has published a letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow concerning the work of the Inter-Orthodox Preparatory Commission that dealt with the issues of autocephaly and autonomy. The letter has an interesting reference to the OCA. The Ukrainian Synod points out: (Read more here).

Two Reactions From Readers

• Los Angeles, CA
Metropolitan Philip's recent denial of clergy reports that he would seek to have the Self-Rule of the Antiochian Archdiocese withdrawn at the next Synod meeting in Damascus has drawn a similar denial from Fr. Michel Najim, Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles concerning reports he was preparing an academic paper on auxiliary bishops for the same meeting. In a letter to OCANews.org Fr. Michel writes: "....let me state very clearly that I have never been asked by anyone to prepare a paper or a statement regarding the episcopacy. This is a complete and utter falsehood, and I would like you to publicly retract this statement." Fr. Michel continued: "Your posting of false reports creates confusion among the brethren, and is extremely harmful to the welfare of the Orthodox Church." (Read more here).

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7.23.10
Metropolitan Philip Dispels Rumors

In a question and answer session with clergy last night at the Biennial Antiochian Archdiocese Clergy Symposium currently being held at Antiochian Village, Metropolitan Philip forthrightly denied widespread reports he would request the revocation of self rule for the North American Archdiocese. (Read more here.)

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7.7.10
Draft OCA Strategic Plan Posted

A draft copy of the OCA Strategic Plan has been posted on the website of the Archdiocese of Canada by Archbishop Seraphim. The 20 page plan is accompanied by a 30 page Power Point presentation. Both will be presented to the Archdiocesan Assembly scheduled for July 26- 30 in Victoria, British Columbia.

In posting the documents +Seraphim writes:  "Since the Strategic Plan is to be important enough in our Assembly (among the first to encounter it), I believe it only fair that we give those who will participate an opportunity to view it before they arrive. In this way, the Delegates will not see the Draft Plan for the first time at the Assembly, but they will have had time to look at the "slides" and the Plan, and to prepare questions for the Presenters on the Wednesday session(s), and, even better, suggestions for the further development of the Plan." (Read more here.)

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6.23.10

Memory Eternal:
Alla Jillions Wheeler (1958-2010)

Alla J. Wheeler, aged 52, fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, June 22, ending a two year battle with cancer. Her husband, Protodeacon Eric Wheeler, their two children Jack (John) and Azure (Alexandra) together with many members of her family were at her bedside at home when she died after weeks of palliative care..... (Read more here)

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6.16.10
Greek Orthodoxy, the Ecumenical Patriarchate,
and the Church in the USA
by V. Rev. Archimandrite Elpidophoros Lambriniadis

(Editor: If some have debated the motives, intentions, perspectives and/or purposes of the Ecumenical Patirarchate in North America, especially in the context of the recent Episcopal Assembly, this lecture given during the Summer Seminar "Hellenism and Orthodoxy" at St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary, New York on, June 12, 2010 by the Chief Secretary of the Synod of Constantinople, Archimandrite Elpidophoros, makes the position of Constantinople quite clear. You can read his lecture here.)

Bishop Basil (Essey) on the Episcopal Assembly

(Editor: The new Secretary of the Assembly, Bishop Basil (Essey), the Antiochian Bishop of Wichita, has recorded an interview concerning the Assembly and his vision of its future. You can listen to his interview on Ancient Faith Radio here.

Bishop Michael (Dahulich) on the Episcopal Assembly

(Editor: The most recently consecrated Orthodox Bishop in North America, Bishop Michael (Dahulich), the OCA Bishop of New York, has published an interview outlining his perspective on the event. You can read his interview here; or download a pdf file here.

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6.15.10

One Small Step for the Midwest

" Although the announcement of the names of three nominees for the OCA Bishop of Chicago was made last week, the more significant announcement concerned the process by which the Diocese is going to choose its nominee. The decision by an expanded Diocesan Council, blessed by the locum tenens, Metropolitan Jonah, to culminate its open selection process by submitting one name to the Synod for canonical election, was another small, but significant step forward, in the long history of conciliarity in the OCA. For the first time the largest diocese of the OCA will not be given, or assigned a bishop, de facto or de jure, but will have fully and meaningfully participated in an open and transparent process that will culminate in his canonical election. In this it joins the Diocese of Western Pennsylvania whoalso nominated their own Bishop late last year..." (Read more here.)

A Challenging Vision For Orthodox Christians in America: An Interview With Father John Meyendorff (1990)
Translated (with Introduction) by Father Robert M. Arida, Boston MA

"Introduction

In 1990 the late Father John Meyendorff, renowned church historian, patrologist and dean of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, was interviewed in Paris by Antoine Niviere. The interview was subsequently published in Service Orthodoxe de Presse (no.146, March 1990). Some 20 years later it was reprinted in Le Messager Orthodoxe (no. 148, 1-2009).

Father John’s responses to Niviere’s poignant questions help to provide, in a very condensed format, an historical and theological backdrop for evaluating the recent Episcopal Assembly convened by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The interview also provides a vision for its work in the future...". (Read more here)

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Three Reflections on the Episcopal Assembly

6.14.10

Maybe I’m Just Too American
For This Orthodox Church
by Protodeacon Eric Wheeler, NY

"I firmly believe that America offers the potential for the Orthodox Faith to flourish and grow like in no other land or culture.

Unfortunately, at times, we cannot free ourselves from the “old world” mentality which mires us in our “ancient” faith. Consequently, it makes it difficult for Americans to even attempt to understand the fundamentals of our Faith.

As the first historic Episcopal Assembly ends, and I read the message delivered at its conclusion, I cannot help but feel that we are attempting to fix our American jurisdictional problem with an “old world” mentality solution. Consequently, it makes it difficult for this American to understand why we are being so Byzantine in seeking a plan for Orthodox unity in America..."

(Read more here)

Opinion of a Lay Person:
The Orthodox Bishops' Conference
in New York, May 2010
by Alexandru Nemoianu
Historian: "Valerian D.Trifa .Romanian-American Heritage Center"

"....Equally significant was the fact that the OCA was impossible to be ignored even under the circumstance that tremendous,disproportionate efforts were made by the Istanbul' Patriarchate to such an end.

The OCA was the eight hundred gorilla in the room.  In fact, even if, officially and under the pressures of the Patriarch of Istanbul, it was not recognized as an "autocephalous entity", it was the one body who won the day. The canonical and pastoral message the OCA stands for, that is, North American Orthodox autocephaly was, in fact, directly and indirectly accepted. The OCA's way proved again to be the way for North America's Orthodox future..".  (Read more here)

A Reflection on the Episcopal Assembly
by An Anonymous Priest 

"....I would begin to take seriously the EA if their officially signed document was a pastoral letter by all of our collective hierarchs begging the people of North America and the world for the poor witness, un-Christian behavior, lack of charity towards all and for causing so much discord and enmity within the Church. For this I would have some hope. As it stands, this is just another document in a long list of many. And even if this EA were to bear the fruit of jurisdictional unity, its foundation would be shaky..." (Read more here)

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COMMUNIQUE FROM THE EPISCOPAL ASSEMBLY
5.28.10

MESSAGE
"We glorify the name of the Triune God for gathering us at this first Episcopal Assembly of this region in New York City on May 26-28, 2010 in response to the decisions of the Fourth Pre-Conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference held at the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Switzerland, from June 6-12, 2009, at the invitation of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.... (Read more here.)

From the National Herald Newspaper (Greek)

Mum's the Word at the Episcopal Assembly Chaired by Archbishop Demetrios

by Theodore Kalmoukos

BOSTON – The first Episcopal Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Hierarchs in North and Central America was convened on Thursday by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America at the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel in New York City. (Read more here.)

Decoding "The Message"

The careful reader may discover much in today's carefully drafted "Message" offered by the Episcopal Assembly which concluded its meeting yesterday evening.

First, it is not clear to whom the message is addressed: the first personage mentioned is "The Triune God", who presumably knew what was happening before it did, and has little need to be informed. The second mention goes to the "Primates and Representatives of the Orthodox Autocephalous Churches". Third goes to "We, as the Episcopal Assembly..." In short the bishops were primarily talking to themselves and their "Leaders" abroad, which is probably a good thing since many of them have never spoken to each other before.... (Read more here.)

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5.27.10

In Opening Remarks, Metropolitan Philip Challenges Episcopal Assembly

• Complains Americans not consulted in Chambesy Process
• Defends SCOBA
• Criticizes notion of "Diaspora"
• Asks why OCA not included in ExecutiveCommittee
• Calls on Ecumenical Patriarch to move to USA

In his opening remarks to the Assembly of the Orthodox Bishops yesterday, Metropolitan Philip challenged the summoning, organization, composition and purpose of the Assembly, before he concluded with a warning. "My dear brothers," the head of the Antiochian Church in America warned, "if we do not bury the burdens of the past between certain autocephalous churches, such burdens will bury us, and Orthodoxy in this country and throughout the world will become an insignificant dot on the margin of history.”  (Read more here.)

Reflection

Our Best Chance Yet: an historical reflection on administrative unity
By Matthew Namee

"...There is no guarantee that the Episcopal Assembly will succeed, and if it does, it’s not clear whether that will be in 5 years or 15. But one thing, to me, is certain: all of us — all who share a desire for canonical unity in America — should throw our support and prayers behind the Assembly, and beg the Holy Spirit to guide its work, just as he guided the work of the Ecumenical Councils themselves. Because, make no mistake — this is the best chance we’ve ever had, or may likely have for many decades to come. May it be blessed by God." (Read more here)