Antiochian Village Names Director of Sales

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CONTACT: Denise O’Neal

E-MAIL: marketing@antiochian.org

ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE NAMES DIRECTOR OF SALES

(Ligonier, PA) Antiochain Village Conference & Retreat Center announces the appointment of Anne Peagler as Director of Sales in a new position at the Village to develop new business, to build relationships, and to increase partnerships for the Village.

Anne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh and from there went on to become Regional Marketing Executive at LendSource Inc. located in Minnesota. Most recently Anne was the National Advertising, Media, and Marketing Director at Mid-Atlantic Unified Health Systems, which is located in New Stanton. She has also served as the Marketing Coordinator and Advertising and Promotions Manager at Southwest Bank in Greensburg and was also employed at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg where she was the Director of Conference Services.

“I am excited to be working in this new position,” said Anne. “It is a great opportunity to be part of the continuous expansion process at Antiochian Village”. As Director of Sales Anne plans to create a better awareness of what the Village has to offer through attending community and business functions and visiting such areas as Harrisburg, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh and Johnstown. “My goal is to develop relationships with government, associations, education and corporate groups as well as religious groups who have not yet utilized our facility,” she added.

Antiochian Village Conference & Retreat Center services group meetings, seminars, retreats, workshops and conferences. The Village holds a membership in the Ligonier Valley Association of Churches, Christian Associates of Western Pennsylvania, the Religious Conference Management Association, Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce, Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and the Johnstown-Cambria County Chamber of Commerce.

Facilities at Antiochian Village include 100 lodging rooms with private bathrooms, full service banquet halls, 18 meeting rooms with technical support, a new sloped-seat auditorium, free parking, a sports complex, an ecumenical chapel, a 21,000-volume library, the new Antiochian Heritage Museum, and a certified ropes course for organizational development. Antiochain Village is a full-service non profit conference facility with a hospitality ministry and is available for public use. The Village is located on Route 711 six miles north of Ligonier on 300 wooded acres. For information, contact Anne at (724) 238-3677 or anne@antiochian.org .

Call to Prayer for Metropolitan PHILIP and the Holy Synod of Antioch

Metropolitan Travels for Holy Synod Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 4, 2004

We ask all clergy and faithful of our Archdiocese to keep in their prayers—both at home and in the churches—our Father and Chief Shepherd, Metropolitan PHILIP, together with His Beatitude, Patriarch IGNATIUS IV, and all the Fathers of the Holy Synod of Antioch. We pray for Godspeed as our Archbishop and those accompanying him travel to Damascus this week to participate in the meetings of the Holy Synod that begin on Oct. 12, 2004.

Of great significance for our Archdiocese, the Holy Synod will take up ratification of revisions to our Archdiocese Constitution relating to our self-rule status that was previously agreed upon at the October, 2003, meeting of the Holy Synod.

Our new constitution was passed unanimously at a special Archdiocese convention on July 16, 2004, and is already in effect. With the Synod of Antioch’s action next week, we shall be awaiting a delegation of bishops from the Holy Synod to augment our local, North American synod of bishops for the election of three new bishops from the seven candidates nominated by our general assembly in July.

The Patriarchal Holy Synod is a council comprised of all the metropolitan bishops, who are, in turn, representing the synods of their local diocesan bishops. As Metropolitan of the Great City of Antioch (where “the Disciples were first called Christians,” Acts 11.26), His Beatitude IGNATIUS IV serves as President of the Holy Synod and is known as “Patriarch.” The Patriarchate of Antioch “and All the East,” in the global organizational structure of the Orthodox Church, encompasses much of the Middle East and beyond, plus dependencies in the New World (such as our own Archdiocese of North America).

The Synod will meet in Damascus, on Straight Street, where St. Ananias met and healed the would-be Apostle Paul (Acts 9.11). We pray that all-Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen our bishops to do what is right and pleasing to Him, just as He has guided and preserved His faithful through 2000 years, continuously, in this same place.

Conciliar Press Announces Redesign of Again Magazine

PRESS RELEASE

Conciliar Press Announces Redesign of Again Magazine

Thursday, May 6, 2004

BEN LOMOND, CA—Conciliar Press, a leading Orthodox Christian publisher, has announced a major redesign of Again, their flagship quarterly periodical. Again is an Orthodox Christian magazine proclaiming the power of the ancient Christian faith as it is lived today. The mission of Again is to explore the beauty of the Way of Christ and to confront the challenges facing His followers in the 21st century. Again is crisp, readable, balanced, and upbeat—ideal for both Orthodox believers desiring a deeper relationship with God, and for inquirers interested in encountering the enduring wisdom and spiritual tradition of the Orthodox Church.

 

Read the full press release here.

Visit Conciliar Press on the web.

General Assembly Nominates Candidates for New Diocesan Bishops

General Assembly Nominates Candidates for New Diocesan Bishops

On July 16 the Special Convention General Assembly (2004) for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese approved the Amended Archdiocese Constitution. In accordance with the amended constitution, by the unanimous will of the General Assembly, implementation of the amendments began with the nomination of candidates for the Office of Diocesan Bishop.

Prior to the nomination process (by clergy and laity), candidates were asked to share with the assembly their vision for the future of the Archdiocese. Many of the candidates mentioned Orthodox unity in America. After these brief comments from the candidates, the nomination process proceeded smoothly. Many delegates and attendees commented on the orderliness of the nomination process and the overall joy present. The orderliness and joy are the mark of the Holy Spirit upon the Church as they seek and do God’s will.

About the Nomination Process

According to the Amended Constitution (soon to be posted on Antiochian.org) in the case of a single vacancy for the Office of Diocesan Bishop, three names are submitted to the local Holy Synod, from which the bishops pick one to fill the office. During this nomination process, because three vacancies need to be filled, all seven names of the candidates were submitted to the bishops. This nomination process was about the laity and clergy giving them guidance and lending our voice to the decision on final selection.

It is important to note that the selection process must be in harmony. Again this is the mark of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Candidates must be willing to stand as nominees for election. The people must voice their choice. Finally, the Hierarchs must concur. As mentioned in a previous article on the convention, this process showed how in a hierarchal church, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, clergy and laity alike are allowed to participate in the decision process.

The Results of the Nominations

(In order of number of votes received at Special Convention from most to least)

1. Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Thomas Joseph
2. Rev. Fr. Mark Maymon
3. Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Daniel Griffith
4. Rev. Fr. Rafeek Mufarrij
5. Rev. Fr. Andre Issa
6. Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Daniel Keller
7. Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Michel Boghos

 

What Happens Next

At the next meeting of the Holy Synod of Antioch, His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP will present our amended constitution for ratification. This meeting is expected to take place in October.

Having been passed unanimously by General Assembly and approved by the Metropolitan, the constitution is now in effect. It will be taken to the Holy Synod of Antioch to be ratified and filed at the Patriarchate so they will see that what we have done is consistent with the decree of the Holy Synod of Antioch regarding our self-rule last October.

After the ratification and filing, the Patriarch will send a delegation of up to three bishops from the Holy Synod to join with our bishops here in America in electing three bishops from the seven nominees. After selection, the new Diocesan Bishops will have their consecrations scheduled. It is anticipated that the new bishops will not be in place until approximately one year; therefore the regional structure that we have had will continue to transition into the new diocesan structure through the 2005 parish life conferences.

As part of this transition, Bishop ANTOUN will be enthroned as bishop of the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast. Bishop JOSEPH will be enthroned as bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West. Bishop BASIL will be enthroned as bishop of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America. Other dioceses will be the Archdiocese district in which Metropolitan PHILIP will continue to be Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of North America. Metropolitan PHILIP’s dioceses will include the New York City Metro Area (including regions of New Jersey and Connecticut near NY City) and the churches in the Washington DC Metro Area and all institutions such as the Antiochian Village and any seminaries or monasteries.

The only enthroning date set so far is for Bishop JOSEPH on Sunday Sept. 12.

The three new bishops will fill the following offices:

The Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest

The Diocese of Ottawa and Upstate New York

The diocese whose jurisdiction will include all of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland (except Potomac), and Delaware. (The name and title are yet to be determined.)

The vacant Diocese of Worcester and New England will be administered for the time being by the Metropolitan. The Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest will continue to be administered by the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West for the time being.

Bishops for the two vacant dioceses plus an auxiliary bishop to help the Metropolitan will be elected at a future time.

Click Here to Read a Full List and Description of the Proposed Structure of the self-ruled Archdiocese

General Assembly Unanimously Approves Amended Constitution

General Assembly Unanimously Approves Amended Constitution

The 2004 Special Convention General Assembly for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese met this Friday July 16, 2004, to review and approve an Amended Archdiocese Constitution and to nominate candidates for the Office of Diocesan Bishop.

The proposed amendments to the Archdiocese Constitution were developed to help enact the self-rule status granted last year to the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. The amended constitution was presented Friday morning to participants in the Special Convention (including clergy and laity). After an open question and answer session discussion and clarifying the amendments, participants voted unanimously to approve the constitution and submit it to the Holy Synod of Antioch.

 

This General Assembly showed how in a hierarchal church priests and laity alike are allowed to participate in the process of approving the recent great deeds by the visionary leadership within this Archdiocese.

His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP says, “This is a New Era!”

His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP addressed the assembly saying, “This is a new era; this is a new day!” “The future of this Archdiocese is not fifty years ago. The future is now….We have much to be done…We must think and act not only for us but for generations to come.”

Read Metropolitan PHILIP's Speech to the General Assembly

2004 Financial Statement Unanimously Accepted - 2006 Budget Unanimously Approved

The Department of Finance presented the 2004 Financial Statement and the 2006 Budget Fiscal Year Budget to the general assembly. Both were unanimously accepted by the assembly.

AOCWNA Announces Million Dollar Orphanages Fund Goal Reached

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America announced this Friday that they have met their goal of raising one million dollars for an endowment fund for orphanages. Laila R. Ferris (president AOCWNA), says, “The Endowment Fund for Orphanages will help perpetually care for our orphans for many years to come.”

AOCWNA Announces New Goal to Raise Half a Million Dollars for the Housing Fund for Retired Clergy

AOCWNA rolled out their banner announcement to the general assembly pledging to raise a half million dollars to show they care for those who care for us.

Divine Liturgy Crowns the Closing of the Assembly

Friday’s general assembly was closed by moving comments from Metropolitan PHILIP encouraging all (priest and laity) to go and make disciples of all nations. His Eminence also continued to call upon all Orthodox Christians in North America to work toward the day of Orthodox Unity in America.

 

 

The general assembly events and accomplishments were crowned with Divine Liturgy on Sunday, celebrated by Bishop Joseph presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP. Ending with Divine Liturgy put a holy seal on the spiritual deeds accomplished during this blessed General Assembly.

His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP - Special Convention Speech - July 16, 2004

Special Convention Speech  

 

July 16, 2004

 

 

 

Beloved Hierarchs, Esteemed members of the Archdiocese

 

Board of Trustees, Beloved Clergy, Parish Councils, Delegates

 

and all Faithful of our God-protected Archdiocese: 

 

 

 

I warmly welcome you to this special Archdiocese Convention.  The last Special Convention was held in the city of

New York in 1966 to nominate candidates to succeed Metropolitan Antony Bashir of thrice-blessed memory.  I bring to you greetings and blessings from our Father in Christ, His Beatitude, Ignatius IV, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. I have been in touch with His Beatitude almost on a weekly basis and he is very much interested in the work of this convention. 

 

The Book of Acts recorded the trials and tribulations of Peter, John, Paul and the rest of the early Christian community as they preached the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ Jesus.  In Acts 4:31-32, we read:  “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God with boldness.  Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and one soul.”  I hope that after our prayers and accomplishments at this convention, the foundations of this fragmented Orthodoxy in

North America will be shaken and all Orthodox will speak the Word of God with boldness and with one heart and one soul. 

 

 

 

My dear brothers and sisters: 

 

About a month ago, the members of our Local Synod and the members of the Board of Trustees, the Governing Council of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch, and some of our Villagers and faithful gathered at the Antiochian Village to dedicate our beautiful museum and celebrate the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of our camping program which has touched thousands of young people throughout North America.  We were there on that beautiful mountain with one heart and one soul to witness to Holy Orthodoxy in prayers, in words and deeds.  Now we do have a decent place to house some of our spiritual and cultural heritage. 

 

At the banquet Saturday evening, the Villagers energized the banquet by their youth, hopes and dreams for a brighter future.  I hope the day will come when hundreds of our Villagers will return to that beautiful mountain to renew friendships and collect the precious memories of their camping years. 

 

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen: 

 

This is a working convention.  Therefore, we have no social events planned except the Bible Bowl and the Oratorical Contest.  We are here to finish the work which we started in

Los Angeles, California.  Remember in Los Angeles, you voted overwhelmingly for self-rule for this Archdiocese.  In 2002, we sent a delegation to Geneva, Switzerland, chaired by our brother, Bishop Basil, to discuss this self-rule with a patriarchal delegation and a statement was approved by both delegations.  In 2003, the Geneva Statement was discussed in the Holy Synod of Antioch and a Synodal Document was unanimously approved.  Article VIII of this document states:  “The Patriarchate of Antioch and the Archdiocese shall each amend its constitution in accordance with above.  The Archdiocese shall submit its amended constitution to the Holy Synod of Antioch for approval.  The Arabic text of this resolution and its English translation shall have equal force and validity.”  I made some minor corrections to the Synodal Document which do not violate its substance.

 

Today, we are here first to amend our constitution in order to reflect the Synodal Document.  Second, to nominate three eligible clergymen for the office of bishop in order to fill three vacancies, namely:  The Canadian-American Diocese, the

Pennsylvania and West Virginia Diocese and three, the Midwest Diocese.  Our local Holy Synod, in its session held on Friday, June 4, 2004, decided that His Grace, Bishop Antoun will shepherd the Diocese of the Southeast, temporarily from the Archdiocese headquarters.  In the final analysis, the Antiochian Archdiocese of North American will consist of nine dioceses.  The Diocese of the Metropolitan will consist of the New York Metropolitan area and Washington, D.C.  The New England Diocese will remain under the omophorion of the Metropolitan for the foreseeable future and the Diocese of the North West will be under the omophorion of Bishop Joseph for the time being.  Our hierarchs have already met twice as a local synod.  I am thankful for the harmony and unity which exists among us.  All the decisions, which we made, were adopted unanimously. 

 

 

 

Beloved in Christ: 

 

Three years have elapsed since our first vote in

Los Angeles.  These three years have been marked by frustration, tension and disappointment.    But our Church is a church of hope.  In John 5:17, our Lord said:  “My father is still working and I am working.”  If you are in Christ, you do not despair, you do not give up, and you do not surrender.  Christ is working with us and will continue to work with us until the end of time.  He is the foundation and head of the Church.  In I Corinthians 3:11-13, St. Paul said:  “For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw – each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.”

 

The Orthodox Church of Twenty-first century

America is destined to chart its own course and shape its own future, despite the obstacles.  We in the Antiochian Archdiocese have reached the point of no return.  Our Mother Church of Antioch is very dear to us and we shall continue to do everything within our power to support our beloved Patriarch in all his endeavors.  The founding of the University of Balamand by His Beatitude, Patriarch Ignatius IV, is the greatest event which has happened in Antioch since the days of Peter and Paul.  This Special Convention is a bright moment in our history.  Let us seize this moment and appeal to our brothers and sisters of other jurisdictions to emulate our example and seize the moment.  In II Corinthians 5:17, St. Paul said:  “therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come.”  Today, I am overwhelmed by a sense of newness.   This is a new era and a new day.   Without the steadfastness and unity of our people which was magnificently demonstrated in Los Angeles and Miami, Florida, and by our hierarchs, clergy, Board of Trustees, parish councils and faithful throughout North America, this new day could never have been possible. 

 

I would be remiss if I do not express my gratitude to the Archdiocesan department of legal affairs, especially Chancellor Robert Koory and Chancellor Charles Ajalat for reviewing our constitution and proposing to us the necessary amendments.  I also would like to thank our hierarchical assistant, the Reverend Father George Kevorkian and the Very Reverend Father John Abdalah for organizing this special convention.

 

 I do not want you to be under the illusion that our task has been completely accomplished; we have just begun.  The future of this Archdiocese is not fifty years from now; the future is now.  With the new structure of our Archdiocese, the new future bishops, chanceries, organizations and departments, we have much to be done.  We cannot waste time.  Thus, our work begins now.  We must think and act, not only for the moment, but for generations to come.

 

In conclusion,  I am reminded of the story of Marshall Lyautey, who once asked his gardener to plant a tree.  The gardener objected that the tree was slow to grow and would not reach maturity for a hundred years.  The

Marshall replied, “in this case, there is no time to waste, plant this morning.”  Today, in a world of fragmented Orthodoxy on this continent and abroad, we have no time to waste, let us plant our trees this morning.  Thank you. 

 

His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP Hosts His Eminence Archbishop DEMETRIOS

On Monday Sept. 27, 2004, His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP hosted His Eminence Archbishop DEMETRIOS, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, at the Archdiocese Headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey. Accompanying Archbishop DEMETRIOS was His Grace Bishop DIMITRIOS of Xanthos, and participating from the Antiochian Archdiocese was His Grace Bishop ANTOUN. Metropolitan PHILIP and Archbishop DEMETRIOS discussed several items of utmost importance to the Orthodox Church both here in America and abroad. The meeting can be characterized as fruitful and successful. Following the meeting, all the participants joined together for lunch at the Archdiocese Headquarters.

Left to right: Bishop ANTOUN, Archbishop DEMETRIOS, Metropolitan PHILIP, Bishop DIMITRIOS

Archbishop DEMETRIOS Confers with Metropolitan PHILIP

 

IOCC Providing Aid to Victims Of Hurricane Charley

INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES (IOCC)

110 West Road, Suite 360 , Baltimore, Md. 21204 — Tel: (410) 243-9820 — Fax: (410) 243-9824

Web: www.iocc.org — E-mail: news@iocc.org

For Immediate Release

August 17, 2004

IOCC PROVIDING AID TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE CHARLEY

Baltimore , MD – International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is working with its domestic disaster response partners to help victims of Hurricane Charley by providing critical assistance to those hardest hit by the storm.

The death toll this morning from Hurricane Charley now stands at 19, according to Florida law enforcement officials. Authorities are estimating total property damage in the billions of dollars, though it could be some time before final fatality and damage figures are known, since access to many areas is still cut off. Hundreds of thousands remain without power in parts of Florida, and it could take weeks before power is restored in some areas.

Working through one of its primary domestic disaster response partners, Church World Service (CWS), IOCC is supporting the work of disaster response liaison teams to identify members of communities already vulnerable before the disaster, and to assess and help meet both their short and long-term unmet recovery needs.

This aid work will focus on all areas of Florida affected by the hurricane, including the Gulf Coast, and will involve collaboration with local disaster response groups like Florida Interfaith Networking in Disaster (FIND), the Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and IOCC’s local Orthodox Church partners.

IOCC is the humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). All of its assistance is delivered solely on the basis of need.

Donations for IOCC’s Hurricane Charley Disaster Response Fund may be sent to IOCC, marked “Hurricane Charley,” P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, M D . 21263-0225. Donations may also be made online at www.iocc.org or by calling toll-free 1-877-803-IOCC (4622).

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For media inquiries related to IOCC efforts to aid Hurricane Charley victims, please contact Colin McGinnis at IOCC Headquarters at 1-877-803-4622 or cmcginnis@iocc.org.

Letter from His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP Special Olympics

Beloved in the Lord:

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray you and your families are in good health. Once again we come to that time of year when our teens raise money for Special Olympics Awareness Day. This year is special in that we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our SOYO’s ministering to Special Olympics. As we mark this milestone, we cannot but think of the countless lives we have touched and also how our lives have been touched by these special children of God. This past year, from August 13-21 our Antiochian Village became a gathering place for these children, and we welcomed them, through your support, with open arms.

Each year our own teens participate in the training and help the official staff of the Special Olympics to teach these beautiful children to compete in and enjoy what many of our own children take for granted. As a result, our own teens learn from the Special Olympians as well. It is indeed a learning experience for all involved. May God bless these young people and may we continue to encourage them to do what it well pleasing to His holy name.

Your Father in Christ,

Metropolitan PHILIP

Primate

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Letter of Patriarch Ignatius to General Assembly

Damascus, July 9, 2004

 

 

 

Beloved Brother Archbishop Philip (Saliba)

 

Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of

North America

 

 

We greet you in The Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

 

On the occasion this special convention of your Archdiocese, we seize the opportunity to address, through you, esteemed and honorable brother, the faithful flock of this beloved Archdiocese, to emphasize on the following:

 

 

1         Based only on the ecclesiological grounds and from this single perspective we consider and deal with the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of

North America as one of the Archdioceses affiliated to the Patriarchate of Antioch.

2         The Holy Scripture, the Sacred Tradition, the Holy Canons, the Constitution of the

Church of Antioch and its bylaws are the sole references of government to all our Archdioceses. Any dissidence to this context is considered as a violation to our constituency.

3        The Holy Synod of the

Church of Antioch is the ultimate authority from which all ecclesiastical privileges proceed. This Holy Synod holds alone the competence of making and implementing resolutions all over the see of  Antioch. Your membership, beloved brother, in the Holy Synod is the only guarantee of keeping tight the organic ties uniting all of us in the Church of Jesus Christ. Likewise the absolute compliance to the authority of the Holy Synod, guarantees the safekeeping of the bonds of unity in the Church as well the governance, of the church matters decently and in order. What affects the authority of the Holy Synod affects the essential nature of the relation that unites us in the Body of Jesus Christ by the community of the Holy Spirit. We are sure that you are eagerly devoted to keeping strong these bonds of unity. Be assured also of our attachment to the unity and the peace of the Church. We will spare no effort to maintain the purity and the integrity of the Lord's legacy, as well.

We herewith enclose a true copy of the Synodical Resolution of October 9, 2003, kindly requesting Your Eminence, its distribution among the participants of the special convention, when reading this letter to them, so that they get a clear understanding of our stand.

 

 

Finally, we assure you of our deep love and of our confidence that we are together seeking the same aims. Likewise, your assistants and the faithful people of this thriving archdiocese are entrusted of this same strive. God has been and will always be, glorified by your deeds, since we are altogether laboring for the wellbeing of Christ's Church.

 

 

We bless your actions towards this aim and heartily pray the Lord to grant Your Eminence always the required strength, to rightly dividing His Word of truth.

 

Pray for us. You are always remembered in ours.

 

Ignatius IV

 

Patriarch of

Antioch and All the East

 

 

 

 

Letters of Correspondence Between His Eminence and Fr. George Dimas, Secretary to the Holy Synod Of Antioch

Local Synod Inaugural Mtg

1st Meeting of the Local Holy Synod of the Self-ruled Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 2, 2004 – Englewood, New Jersey

 

HISTORIC FIRST MEETING OF THE LOCAL HOLY SYNOD OF THE SELF-RULED ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ARCHDIOCESE OF NORTH AMERICA HELD ON DECEMBER 29TH AND  30TH, 2003.

 

 

The first meeting of the Local Holy Synod of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America was held on Monday December 29th and Tuesday December 30th, 2003 at the Archdiocese Headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey.  The meeting was historic in that it represented the first time that the bishops have met as a Local Holy Synod, after the granting of self-rule status to the Archdiocese by the Holy Synod of Antioch in October of 2003.

 

His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP, Primate of the Archdiocese, presided.  In attendance were three of the Antiochian Bishops of North America: His Grace Bishop ANTOUN, His Grace Bishop JOSEPH, and His Grace Bishop BASIL.  His Grace Bishop DEMETRI was not in attendance.

 

The focus of this meeting was to reach agreement on several very important topics which will allow the orderly implementation of self-rule.

 

First, the plans for the Special Convention were discussed.  This Special Convention will be convened in Pittsburgh, PA during the weekend of July 16 – 18, 2004.  The Special Convention will have two primary agenda items, which will be discussed and voted upon by the entire General Assembly of the Archdiocese.  First, the approval of amendments to the Archdiocese Constitution which are necessary for the implementation of self-rule.  Second, the nomination of candidates who will stand for election as Diocesan Bishops of this Archdiocese.  The Local Holy Synod of the Archdiocese of North America will elect the new Diocesan Bishops sometime after this Special Convention.

 

Second, two documents were reviewed which put forth the Rights and Responsibilities of the Metropolitan, and the Rights and Responsibilities of the Diocesan Bishops.  These documents specify, in detail, the working relationships between the Primate of the Archdiocese, and his Diocesan Bishops, who will receive enhanced responsibilities within their diocese.  These documents were approved unanimously. 

 

Third, the bishops reviewed a document which specifies the proposed structure of the Archdiocese.  Each Diocese was identified, along with the Cathedral which will serve as the seat of the Diocesan Bishop, and the geographical boundaries of each diocese.  This document was also approved unanimously.

 

The final discussion involved the status of Bishop DEMETRI.  The Synod agreed on a course of action but will postpone implementation until January 23, 2004, which is the scheduled date for the court case to be heard.  This postponement will insure that there is no interference in any way with the legal proceedings.  However, the latest date for the implementation of the course of action will be February 23rd, 2004.  Until that time, Bishop DEMETRI’s status will remain as it was specified in the Metropolitan’s letter of July 14th, 2003.  To quote from that letter “I have also directed Bishop DEMETRI not to preach or preside at any liturgical service during the time that he is under treatment or this matter is under investigation.”

 

With the enthusiastic and focused leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP, this meeting of the Local Holy Synod of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America was conducted with an intense spirit of love, brotherhood, and cooperation.  This allowed important issues to be debated constructively, and agreements to be reached which will pave the way for the new era of self-rule for this Archdiocese.

 

It is expected that the next meeting of the Local Holy Synod will be held in conjunction with the spring meeting of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees which will be held at the Antiochian Village in Ligonier, Pennsylvania from June 4 – 6, 2004.

Local Synod Met October 29 in Naples, Florida

The Antiochian Orthodox Parish of St. Paul, Naples Florida was our host for an historic weekend of events from October 29 through 31, 2004. During this weekend the Local Synod of this Archdiocese had its meeting, as well as the Board of Trustees. The weekend concluded with an outdoor Divine Liturgy, and the groundbreaking prayers that marked the start of the construction of the new St. Paul church complex.

On Friday, October 29, 2004, the Local Synod of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America met for their regular Fall meeting. However, this meeting was anything but “regular”. The meeting table was adorned with the Holy Gospel, the Precious and Lifegiving Cross, Icons of our Lord and the Theotokos, and candles. The meeting began with the opening prayer, led by His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP. Also in attendance were Bishop ANTOUN of the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast, Bishop JOSEPH of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, and Bishop BASIL of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America. The prayers included the chanting of the Troparion and Kontakion of Pentecost, as a reminder that the work of the Synod is inspired by the Holy Spirit. The main item on the agenda was a report by His Eminence on his trip to the Middle East to attend the meeting of the Holy Synod of Antioch, and the election of three new Diocesan Bishops.

The results of the election were as follows:

Rt. Rev. Thomas Joseph as the Bishop Elect for the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the East

Rev. Fr. Mark Maymon as the Bishop Elect for the Diocese of Toledo and The Midwest

Rt. Rev. Rafeek Mufarrij as the Bishop Elect for the Diocese of Ottawa and Upstate NewYork

It has since been confirmed that the consecration of these Bishops Elect will take place at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Damascus, Syria on December 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th, 2004.

The meeting of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees was held during the evening of Friday, October 29^th, and continued to the morning of Saturday, October 30^th. The main order of business was to consider and discuss the proposed changes to the amended Constitution that have been suggested as a result of the meeting of the Holy Synod of Antioch, which concluded on October 14, 2004. The Board decided to submit these proposed changes to the Department of Legal Affairs for consideration. The Department of Legal Affairs will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees at their Spring meeting in June, 2005. Finally, the Board of Trustees will recommend final action to be taken by the General Assembly of the Archdiocesan Convention, scheduled for July, 2005. The Board also heard reports from the following Archdiocesan departments: 2004 Parish Life Conferences, Antiochian Village Camp, Antiochian Village Heritage & Learning Center, Antiochian Village Council, Finance, Antiochian Women, Christian Education & Tithing, Youth & Parish Ministry, Order of St. Ignatius, Planning & Future Development, and Communications & Information.

This historic weekend continued with a banquet on Saturday evening for the celebration of the 45^th Anniversary in the priesthood of Very Rev. Joseph Shaheen, pastor of St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church of Naples, Florida.

The events concluded with an outdoor Divine Liturgy on the site of St. Paul Church, presided over by His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP, and the prayers for groundbreaking for the new St. Paul Church, which is to be constructed.

Truly this was a blessed and historic set of events for the self-ruling Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

Location

Metropolitan PHILIP Hosts Dinner

 

 

Metropolitan PHILIP Hosts Dinner
To Discuss Situation in Lebanon and Middle East

From left to right are: His Excellency Bishara Merhige, Minister of the Lebanese Government Metropolitan PHILIP Mr. Monsour Harik

Monday April 5, 2004
Archdiocese Headquarters in Englewood, NJ

Metropolitan PHILIP hosted a dinner on Monday April 5th, 2004, attended by His Excellency Bishara Merhige, Minister of the Lebanese Government, and Mr. Monsour Harik, where they discussed the current situation in Lebanon, the explosive environment in the Middle East and the effect that these events are having on the Church.

Metropolitan PHILIP's Pascha Message, 2004

Pascha 2004

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one to His own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)

“O Christ Saviour, we were but yesterday buried with Thee, and we shall rise with Thee in Thy Resurrection. We were but yesterday crucified with Thee: glorify us with Thee in Thy kingdom.”
(Verse from the Third Ode of the Paschal Canon)

Beloved Hierarchs, Clergy, Trustees, Parish Council Members, and All Faithful of our God-Protected Archdiocese:

Christ is Risen!

I greet you with the Paschal greeting, praying that our Risen Lord will bless you and your families as we celebrate His glorious Resurrection from the dead. As we live in the midst of a world plagued by war, famine, crime and moral decay, we have no other hope than to look to our Lord who destroyed death and gave new life to all. This new life and hope should strengthen us to overcome all of these destructive forces and, in fact, enable us to speak out against them. Indeed, as Christ ended the “wailing of Eve by His Resurrection,” we must also “proclaim that the Saviour is risen from the dead.”

May the eternal light of the Empty Tomb shine in your hearts and in the hearts of people everywhere.

Wishing you a glorious Paschal season, I remain
Yours in the Risen Lord,

Metropolitan PHILIP
Primate, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Metropolitan Reviews Progress with University of Balamand President

 

 

Metropolitan Reviews Progress with
University of Balamand President

From left to right are: Dr. Elie A. Salem (President of the University of Balamand), Metropolitan PHILIP and Mr. Fawaz El Khoury (Member of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees)

Monday April 5, 2004
Archdiocese Headquarters in Englewood, NJ

Metropolitan PHILIP hosted a luncheon for Dr. Elie A. Salem (President of the University of Balamand – Lebanon) and Mr. Fawaz El Khoury (Member of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees), where the current status and future plans for the University were discussed. By the grace of God, and with much continued hard work, the University of Balamand will continue to shine forth as a bright beacon of education and understanding for people of diverse backgrounds and faiths.

Metropolitan's Message Regarding Special Archdiocese Convention

 

 

Metropolitan's Message Regarding Special Archdiocese Convention
 

 

 

February 3, 2004

TO BE READ FROM THE PULPIT AND PUBLISHED IN THE CHURCH BULLETIN

 

Beloved Hierarchs, Clergy, Trustees, Parish Council Members and All Faithful of this God-Protected Archdiocese:

Greetings and Blessings to all of you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

As we wrote in our letter of December 31, 2003, we are calling a Special Convention of this Archdiocese in order to proceed with the implementation of our Self-Rule status.  This Special Convention will be held from Friday July 16th through Sunday July 18th, 2004 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Delegates are expected to arrive in Pittsburgh on Thursday July 15th.  Please make your reservations early for this historic Special Convention by using the following hotel information:

Hilton Pittsburgh

Gateway Center, Downtown

Call 1-800-445-8667 by June 15, 2004 to make your reservations

and secure the special room rate of $99.00 per night plus tax.

Tell the operator that you are with the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

Transportation – Shuttle from Pittsburgh International Airport is available

at a cost of $16.00 one way, or $30.00 round trip.

Parking is $24.00 per day for valet – local garages are also available

 

All parishes and missions must be represented at this special convention, either in person, or by valid proxy.  Official proxy forms will be mailed in late April or early May.  All pastors are expected to attend in person.  No community will be seated at the special convention unless all of the following obligations have been met:

 

1.       All 2003 assessments, tithes, and special trays have been paid in full.

2.       All 2004 assessments, tithes, and trays are up-to-date at the time of the convention.

3.       A Statistics and Census Report has been filed with the Archdiocese office for the year ending December 31, 2003.  These reports were due by Feb. 1, 2004.

 

Please note that the schedule of the Clergy Symposium will be different this year.  Normally it would run from Monday afternoon through Friday.  This year, it will start on Sunday afternoon, July 18th, and end on Thursday, July 22nd.  All clergy should be sure that their schedule accounts for this change.

 

Praying that our Lord will bless our planning and deliberations for the glorification of His Holy Church, I remain

 

Your Father in Christ,

 

 

Metropolitan PHILIP

Primate

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

 

Agenda for the Special Convention

Metropolitan's Message Regarding the Film, “The Passion of The Christ.”

 

 

Metropolitan's Message Regarding the Film, “The Passion of The Christ.”
 

 

 

March 2, 2004

TO BE READ FROM THE PULPIT AND PUBLISHED IN THE CHURCH BULLETIN

 

 

Beloved Clergy and Faithful of our Archdiocese:

Greetings and blessings to you in the spirit of this Holy and Great Lenten season.

Shortly after the beginning of our journey with our Lord to Calvary and the empty tomb, Mel Gibson released his excellent film, “The Passion of The Christ.” This film raised many favorable, and at the same time, controversial questions; thus, I decided to see this movie and form my own opinion. The following is my observation:

I think that Mel Gibson has done an outstanding job. Ninety-five percent of the film is based on the biblical accounts recorded in the Gospels. We cannot distort history nor can we betray the hymnology of our church and the story which we relive every year during Holy Week. I advise our clergy and faithful to see this movie and share the suffering of our Lord and the joy of His Glorious Resurrection.

Yours in the Triumphant Christ,

Metropolitan PHILIP
Primate
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese
of North America

New Home Consecrated for the Oldest Parish

The first Antiochian Orthodox parish on the west coast celebrated the consecration of its new church temple on Sunday, Sep. 19, 2004, with Metropolitan Philip and Bishop Joseph leading an overflowing assembly of clergy and laity for a joy-filled celebration.

Pictorial Review

Consecration and 75^th Anniversary Celebration
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church
Portland, Oregon

September 17-19, 2004

 

 

O Master, Lord our God, Hope of all the ends of the Earth, hear us sinners who make our supplications unto Thee, and send Thine all-Holy and Adorable and Almighty Spirit, and sanctify this temple and this altar table. Fill it with the Light Everlasting; elect it for Thy dwelling-place; make it the abode of Thy Glory. ...
                                   _{Excerpt from one of the prayers of consecration}

 

 

St. George Orthodox Church of Portland was the first Antiochian parish on the west coast when it was established in 1930, when Syrian Orthodox Christian immigrants paid $700 for a church building on Southeast 62nd, near Foster. The parish moved to larger quarters in 1965, buying a church building at 115th and Holgate, but it did not take long to outgrow it. In 1998 Metropolitan PHILIP broke ground for the construction of a traditional Orthodox church at Northeast 162nd. The community began using the new temple in 2001 as finishing touches and hall construction continued, culminating in a joy-filled celebration September 17-19, 2004.	Exterior view of the newly consecrated church temple and fellowship hall/classroom buildings of St. George Orthodox Church at 2101 NE 162nd Ave (at St. George Street) PO Box 20695 Portland, OR 97294 (503) 255-6055 www.stgeorgeportland.org V. Rev. Father Alban West, pastor
The celebration opened Friday evening, Sep. 17, with a gala dinner for the entire parish and the arriving bishops, clergy, relocated parishioners and friends.
The next morning, the church school children and then the teens had some tough questions for Metropolitan PHILIP and Bishop JOSEPH in the new church. Here an inquisitive boy asks his Eminence if his crown were heavy. Metropolitan PHILIP brought out his mitre and showed it to the children. (Maybe the lad will be a bishop someday, so he can have his own?!)
Metropolitan PHILIP, Bishop JOSEPH and Fr. Alban pose with the younger children and their teachers in front of the iconostasis. The iconostasis came from the church on Holgate Blvd, but the icons are all new. Additional iconography in the apse and on the walls throughout the temple will be completed over time, as funds allow.
Saturday evening, following Great Vespers, the parish celebrated with a Banquet in the new church fellowship hall. In his banquet keynote message, his Eminence challenged the parish not rest at having built a building but to be the living, breathing Body of Christ, bearing witness to Him in a world that so desperately needs the truth and moral guidance of the Orthdodox Faith. He urged those gathered to work for full administrative unity of all Orthodox in North America, so that thereby we may speak with a clear voice. The Archbishop also bestowed the Antonian Gold Medal, the highest award for laity, upon William F. Bitar, a humble and tireless member of the parish who headed the building committee.
Near the end of the Matins service (morning prayers) on Sunday, Sep. 19, Metropolitan PHILIP presided at the consecration of the new church temple, with Bishop Joseph, Fr. Alban and many clergy from local sister parishes and from the around the west coast concelebrating. Here, Metropolitan PHILIP, vested in a savanon, washes the new altar table. Protosyngellos of the Archdiocese, Fr. Paul Doyle, who pastored the Portland parish from 1977 to 1985, and others look on.
Fr. Alban West, Pastor of St. George parish, and other clergy join in washing the altar. The consecration service is modeled after baptism. In a sense the altar and the entire building are baptized and made Christian. They are now dedicated to the service of God alone, reclaimed for His Kingdom.
Bishop JOSEPH joins the Archbishop in drying the holy table. Bishop JOSEPH had been enthroned just one week earlier as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West. He also serves as locum tenens for the new Diocese of the Northwest (that encompasses Portland) until a new bishop is installed. First the altar is washed with soap and water. Then it is dried, washed again with rosewater and dried yet again.
The holy table is then vested with the white inner garment (à la the baptism gown), anointed with the holy chrism, and then fully dressed in its outer garments. The tabernacle, Gospel book, candlesticks, etc. are placed onto the altar, each item being individually blessed with holy water. In the square cavity in the center of the holy table are sealed relics of a saint and a list of all parish members at this time.
The Metropolitan then went throughout the temple anointing its walls with the holy chrism. He used a sponge soaked in chrism at the end of a long pole. In this view one can also clearly see the beautiful, fully 'dressed' altar table within the sanctuary.
Metropolitan PHILIP chrismates the walls of the baptistery transept/apse. The new temple features a full-size, sunken adult baptistery.
A packed and overflowing crowd follows the clergy as the Archbishop anoints all the walls with chrism.
Some of the architectural features and scale of the new church may be observed in this view. The temple is bright yet warm and graceful.
Following the consecration, the Divine Liturgy began, where thanks was given to the Lord in the Eucharist, with the offering of the Gifts and the sacrifice of praise.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy Fr. Paul Doyle and Fr. James Bernstein (Dean of the Pacific Northwest parishes) escorted Fr. Alban to stand before Archbishop PHILIP, and the latter blessed him, elevating Fr. Alban to the dignity of Archpriest (proto-presbyter to be precise). It came as a total surprise to Fr. Alban. Normally pastors are not eligible for elevation until they have served well for a minimum of ten years. His Eminence noted this fact and declared, "Sometimes we need to make exceptions, because Fr. Alban is an exceptional priest."

Notice of Special Convention - May 25, 2004

 

May 26th, 2004

TO BE READ FROM THE PULPIT AND PUBLISHED IN THE CHURCH BULLETIN

NOTICE OF SPECIAL CONVENTION

To:  Venerable Hierarchs, All Reverend Clergy, Archdiocesan Trustees, Parish Councils, and

       Faithful of our Archdiocese

Greetings and Blessings in the Name of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ!

This letter serves as the official notice of our Special Convention of 2004.  This Special Convention will be held at the Hilton Pittsburgh, Gateway Center, Downtown, from July 16-18, 2004, and is being hosted by the parish of St. George, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The purpose of this Special Convention is to implement the self-rule status of our Archdiocese.

We would like to direct your attention to the following important matters:

1.  All parishes and missions are required to send official delegates to vote in behalf of your community.  All parishes and missions are entitled to one vote for each one hundred baptized persons, or fraction of one hundred that exceeds fifty persons.  The official Census Report that you submitted as of December 31st, 2003 is used to determine this number.  You must submit the names of your official delegates to the Department of Statistics and Credentials, using the form that was sent to you in early May, 2004.  If necessary, you may assign your votes by proxy using the proxy forms which have already been sent to you by the Department of Statistics and Credentials.  All delegate forms and proxy forms must be returned by June 30, 2004.

2.  All Reverend Clergy and delegates must be in Pittsburgh no later than Thursday evening, July 15th, 2004.  This will insure that we can begin our General Assembly promptly at 10:00 a.m. sharp on Friday July 16th, 2004.

3.  The current Archdiocese assessment is $30.00 per baptized Orthodox person, regardless of age (except for tithing communities who are contributing 10% of their budgets).  In order for your community to be seated at this Special Convention, all of the following must be in order:

          (a)  You must have paid your entire 2003 assessment and Special Trays in full

          (b)  Your 2004 assessment and Special Tray payments must be up to date as of the

                Convention

          (c)   You must have submitted a valid Census Report as of December 31st, 2003

4.  It is the sacred obligation of the clergy, and lay delegates to attend this Special Convention.  It is also the sacred duty of every Parish Council to pay the expenses for their pastor to attend this Special Convention.

5.  A Special Convention is called for a very specific purpose.  As such, no resolutions will be accepted either in advance, or from the Convention floor.

6.  The following items are enclosed with this letter:

          (a)  A Schedule for the Special Convention

          (b)  An agenda for the Special General Assembly

          (c)  A list of names and biographies for the candidates for the office of Diocesan

                Bishop.  Your delegates will vote to nominate candidates who will be submitted to

                the Local Synod of this Archdiocese for election of new bishops.

          (d)  An Advance Registration Form for those attending the Convention

      Please note that a copy of the Archdiocese Constitution showing the proposed

      Amendments required to implement self-rule will be sent to you by mid-June, after it is

      Approved by the Board of Trustees.  Your delegates will be asked to vote to approve this

      New Constitution.

7.   Every person attending this Special Convention will be asked to pay a special registration fee of $20.00 in order to help us cover the expenses for this Special Convention.  You will be issued a registration badge, which will be required in order to enter any of the Convention events.  There will not be much time at the Convention for the registration process, so we are asking you to help us by registering in advance.  Please follow the instructions on the enclosed “Advance Registration Form”, and send the form and your payment as soon as possible.

This Special Convention is an historic event in the life of this God protected Archdiocese.  We urge you to properly prepare yourselves, and to participate fully in the work which must be done.

Praying that our Lord will bless your preparations, and your travel to Pittsburgh, I remain

Your father in Christ,

Metropolitan PHILIP
Primate
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

 

---

 

Related Information:

Proposed Structure of the self-ruled Archdiocese - July 27th, 2004

Proposed Structure of the self-ruled Archdiocese

July 27^th, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Diocese of New York and Washington D.C. – 12

 

Title: Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All

North America

 

Seat: St. Nicholas Cathedral,

Brooklyn, NY.

 

Extent of Jurisdiction: Metropolitan area of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Metro Washington D.C, as well as the

Antiochian Village.

 

 

 

The Diocese of Toledo and the

Midwest - 41

 

Title: Bishop of Toledo and  the

Midwest

 

Seat: St. George Cathedral of

Toledo, OH.

 

Extent of Jurisdiction: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Eastern Missouri,  Illinois, Eastern Iowa, Minnesota, Kentucky, and

Fargo ND.

 

 

 

The Diocese of Miami and the Southeast - 39

 

Title: Bishop of

Miami and the Southeast

 

Seat: St. George Cathedral,

Miami, FL.

 

Extent of Jurisdiction: Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Virginia, and

Alabama.

 

 

 

The Diocese of Worcester and

New England - 11            

 

Title: Bishop of Worcester and

New England

 

Seat: St. George Cathedral,

Worcester, MA

 

Extent of Jurisdiction:

New England

 

 

 

The Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America - 39

 

Title: Bishop of Wichita and Mid-America

 

Seat: St. George Cathedral,

Wichita, KS

 

Extent of Jurisdiction: Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Western Iowa, Western Missouri, Nebraska, Rapid City SD, and Gillette WY.

 

 

 

The Diocese of Los Angeles and the West - 34

 

Title: Bishop of

Los Angeles and the West

 

Seat: St. Nicholas Cathedral,

Los Angeles

 

Extent of Jurisdiction: California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and

Hawaii.

 

 

 

The Diocese of Ottawa and Upstate New York - 18

 

Title: Bishop of Ottawa and Upstate

New York

 

Seat: St. Elias Cathedral, Ottawa, Ontario (will reside in

Montreal)

 

Extent Of Jurisdiction: Ontario (Including Windsor), Quebec, Nova Scotia,

New York (outside of the NYC area)

 

 

 

The Diocese of (name to be determined) - 25

 

Title: Bishop of (name to be determined)

 

Seat: Cathedral to be determined (will reside at the

Antiochian Village)

 

Extent of Jurisdiction: All of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland (except Potomac), and

Delaware.

 

 

 

The Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest - 18

 

Title: Bishop of

Eagle River and the Northwest

 

Seat: St. John Cathedral,

Eagle River, AK

 

(this diocese will be under the omophorion of the bishop of

Los Angeles for the foreseeable future)

 

Extent of Jurisdiction: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Canada from Manitoba and west, and

Alaska

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL - 237

SCOBA Statement on College Student Sunday

...And they devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers. (Acts 2:42)

College Student Sunday September 19, 2004

To all the Clergy and the Laity of the Holy Orthodox Churches in the Americas Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The passage cited above from the book of the Acts of the Apostles is a beautiful description of the manner in which early Christians organized and conducted their lives as a united community. Today, over 40,000 Orthodox Christian college students studying on hundreds of campuses throughout North America are called to live the very same ideal, gathering together in a spirit of learning, fellowship, and worship through the work of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the official campus ministry effort under SCOBA.

Our college students come from diverse places of origin to live on campuses that are sometimes thousands of miles away from their homes. For many of them, it is the first time they are living on their own. During these challenging years of college, our students are faced with unprecedented opportunities for learning, for personal growth, and for psychological and spiritual development. However, as they are exposed to new ideas and environments, and as they encounter others who come from a wide array of cultural and religious backgrounds, they are also faced with perplexing conditions that often challenge their identities and their Orthodox Christian faith.

The presence of the OCF on the college campus is so very crucial in that it serves as a community that brings students together and anchors them firmly in their Orthodox Christian faith. Through communal prayer, fellowship, philanthropy, and witness, students who participate in the OCF can be sure that their encounter with others from different walks of life will truly enrich and enhance their growth as Orthodox Christians. Likewise in the classroom, their exposure to philosophical worldviews and teachings that sometimes diverge from Orthodox Christian thought will also beautifully augment their intellectual and spiritual growth.

For some time, colleges and universities throughout North America have been cognizant of the need to focus upon the spiritual development of their students. Many schools of higher learning have developed campus ministry programs to this end, therefore welcoming and supporting OCF chapters. As hierarchs of the Standing Conference, we commend these schools for their dedication to the religious needs of students from all faiths, and specifically for their support of our Orthodox Christian students who are in need of a place of true community and fellowship.

As the ministry of the OCF continues to flourish, as is evidenced already by its dedicated team of student advisors and staff in offices across America, we encourage our priests and parishes to support this important ministry through prayer and through financial assistance. Accordingly, we designate this Sunday following the Elevation of the Holy Cross, September 19, as our annual College Student Sunday. On this day, we call upon each of you to remember the particular needs of college students, who face incredible challenges and opportunities, and to make other young people who are preparing for college aware of the opportunities that are open to them through the OCF and its valuable programs.

As we begin the new ecclesiastical year and the new academic year, it is our heartfelt prayer that all of you, especially our students, may hold to the example of the early Christians, gathering together as a united community in learning, fellowship, prayer, and in unceasing ministry to others.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you always.

Special Collection to Assist the Victims Of Hurricane Charley In Florida

TO BE READ FROM THE PULPIT

“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17)

Beloved Clergy and Faithful of our Archdiocese:

Greetings and blessings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We pray that your summer has been peaceful and prosperous.

As you all know, several areas of Florida have been devastated by Hurricane Charley which slammed into Florida with winds reaching 145 mph and a surge of sea water of 13 to 15 feet. The latest reports tell us that at least 16 people were killed, and the property damage is estimated to be as much as $15 billion. Officials have said that hundreds of people are unaccounted for, and that the search for missing people was slow in some areas because of the danger from downed power lines and debris. There are thousands of people without homes, and nearly 1 million people are still without power.

Our God-protected Archdiocese has always taken to heart the needs of our brothers and sisters around the world who have suffered from natural disasters. We have assisted victims across every continent of the world. It has been said that “charity begins at home”, and with this in mind, we make an appeal to you for assistance for the Florida hurricane victims. We ask you to take a special collection as soon as possible and forward it to the Archdiocese headquarters immediately (but not later than Sept. 30th), marked “Florida Hurricane Relief”, so that we can do our share to try and ease a small portion of the suffering.

Please be generous, keeping in mind the words of St. John quoted above, and our accountability to our Lord for how we respond in times of need.

May the Almighty God continue to surround all of you with His love and heavenly protection.

Your father in Christ,
Metropolitan PHILIP
Primate
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Special Convention Implements Self-Rule Status For The Antiochian Archdiocese- July 29, 2004 – Englewood, New Jersey

Press Release Special Convention 7-28-2004 (Word Version)

Press Release Special Convention 7-28-2004 (PDF Version)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2004 – Englewood, New Jersey

SPECIAL CONVENTION IMPLEMENTS SELF-RULE STATUS FOR THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE

On Friday, July 16th, 2004, the Special Convention of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America was convened at the Hilton Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was chaired by His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP. The delegates to this Special Convention were called to discuss and implement four important items of business as follows:

1. To consider and approve the proposed amendments to the Archdiocesan Constitution which would incorporate the October 9, 2003 Resolution of the Holy Synod of Antioch that granted self-rule status to this Archdiocese.

2. To nominate candidates for the episcopacy, who will preside as Diocesan Bishops over three newly-created dioceses within the self-ruled Archdiocese.

3. To discuss the new diocesan structure of the self-ruled Archdiocese, and the detailed Rights and Responsibilities of the Metropolitan, and the Diocesan Bishops.

4. To approve a budget for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2006, that accounts for the additional expenses and income required in order to implement the self-rule status.

A quorum was present that represented 92% of the eligible voting delegates, an extremely high percentage, reflecting the historic nature of this gathering.

The reading of the message of His Beatitude, IGNATIUS IV, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East was the first item of business. In his message, His Beatitude expressed his “deep love and confidence”, and expressed his feelings that “God has been and will always be, glorified by your deeds, since we are all together laboring for the well being of Christ’s Church.”

A lively, and constructive discussion ensued around the proposed amendments to the Constitution. It was clear from the start that there was a “oneness of mind” among all of the delegates, with the love and unity of the Holy Spirit clearly present in the discussion. The debate ended with a motion to approve the amended Constitution by acclamation, and this motion passed unanimously.

The new diocesan structure of the self-ruled Archdiocese was presented. There are nine dioceses, including the Diocese of New York, which will be under the omophorion of His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of North America. The other 8 dioceses will be under the omophorion of Diocesan Bishops. Three existing Auxiliary Bishops (Bishop ANTOUN, Bishop JOSEPH, and Bishop BASIL) become Diocesan Bishops. Three newly elected bishops will also become Diocesan Bishops. Two dioceses will remain vacant for now, under the omophorion of one of the existing bishops. The hierarchs are members of the newly formed Local Holy Synod, with the Metropolitan as the presiding member. In addition, a document was read which specifies the detailed Rights and Responsibilities of the Metropolitan and the Diocesan Bishops. This document was approved unanimously by the Local Synod and will insure that good order is maintained in the working relationships of the hierarchs.

The proposed budget for the fiscal year that ends on January 31, 2006 was presented, and passed unanimously. This budget is the largest in the history of the Archdiocese, and includes the increased expenses and income required to implement the self-rule status. Included in these expenses are the stipends for the new Diocesan Bishops, as well as operational expenses for their chanceries.

Finally, the seven candidates for the Episcopacy were presented, and each spoke briefly on the subject of his vision for this Archdiocese. After the presentations, all delegates to the General Assembly cast their votes by secret ballot to nominate candidates for election as Diocesan Bishops. The Local Holy Synod has the ultimate responsibility to elect the new bishops, with the participation of three Metropolitans from the Holy Synod of Antioch, who will be designated by His Beatitude Patriarch IGNATIUS IV. The election of bishops is expected to occur sometime after the October 2004 meeting of the Holy Synod of Antioch.

The Special Convention concluded with the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, which was attended by all of the clergy and laity who were present at the Special Convention.

Although the General Assembly had been scheduled for two days, all of this work was accomplished in one day, due to the cooperation, love, and unity which was clearly manifested throughout the deliberations. All of the delegates departed from the Special Convention with a renewed spirit and optimism for a bright future. We are united with our Mother Church of Antioch, we are united as one Archdiocese at home, and we are blessed with dedicated and competent leadership. Our heartfelt appreciation and love is expressed to our beloved Patriarch IGNATIUS IV, and the members of the Holy Synod of Antioch for their expression of love and trust in their maturing children of North America.

Statement of the Antiochian Archdiocese on the Passing to Eternal Life of Pope John Paul II

We join in mourning the loss of Pope John Paul II, the great leader of the Roman Catholic Church. At the same time we rejoice in his ministry, and the legacy of compassion that he leaves to the world. We bring to mind the teaching of St. Ignatius of Antioch in his exhortation to Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna on the role of the bishop:

“Lift up all men, as the Lord lifts you; put up with all in love, as you actually do. Be diligent in unceasing prayers; ask for more understanding than you have; watch with a sleepless spirit. Speak to each individual after the example of God; bear the sickness of all, as a perfect athlete. Where the labor is greatest, the gain is great.” (Ignatius to Polycarp 1:2-3)

It seems clear that Pope John Paul II, in his episcopacy, was true to this teaching. He touched many people of all races and religions by his example of caring, love, and compassion. He also served as a strong example of what it means to suffer and die with grace. He has “fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7)

His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP had met Pope John Paul II on two occasions and was impressed by his faithfulness, and holiness. Surely his soul is resting in peace and his memory is eternal.

Youth and Seminary Month

October 2004

 

 TO BE READ FROM THE PULPIT

 

 

Greetings and blessings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We pray that you have enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing summer.

 

Once again, we bring to your attention that October in the Antiochian Archdiocese is "Youth Month and Seminary Month." This year we have twenty-five (25) students in three seminaries. Many, if not all of these students, will someday serve this Archdiocese as priests. It is important that we support and subsidize their education as well as continuing to support the institutions that provide this vital education. Today our clergy interact with people of all faiths and must be well educated in order to provide a sound and knowledgeable defense of our ancient faith and a true and clear witness of the one God in three persons. Therefore, we ask for your generous donations today in order to support the institutions which educate our seminarians.

 

May the Lord continue to bless all your efforts in His name and those theological schools that train our men to this high calling.

 

Your Father in Christ,

Metropolitan PHILIP
Primate
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Address Delivered by His Grace B a s i l On the occasion of his enthronement as Bishop of Wichita and Mid-America December 15, 2

ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HIS GRACE
B A S I L
ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ENTHRONEMENT AS
BISHOP OF WICHITA AND MID-AMERICA
DECEMBER 15, 2004

My beloved Father in God: the Most Reverend Philip , Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America;

My esteemed Brother in the Lord: the Right Reverend Joseph , Bishop of Los Angeles and the West;

My most cherished Sons in Christ: the Right Reverend, Very Reverend and Reverend Priests and Deacons;

My venerable Intercessors before the All-holy Trinity: the venerable Monastics who struggle here in the Heartland;

My precious Lambs of Christ the Good Shepherd: the faithful, beloved of the Mother of God, who are gathered together from the farthest reaches of our Diocese and Nation;

My Brothers and Sisters: Glory to Jesus Christ!

On the day when I was consecrated to the sacred episcopacy in this very Cathedral, I spoke the following words which were first uttered by our Venerable and God-bearing Father Symeon the New Theologian on the occasion of his election as superior of the Monastery of Saint Mamas in the year 980 :

“I feel shame before your charity, because I know my unworthiness. For this reason I would rather be silent forever, as the Lord knows, without even lifting up my eyes to look at any man’s face, since my conscience condemns me. I was appointed to be the superior over all of you, though I am wholly unworthy ... Thus it is no small and ordinary grief that possesses me for having been chosen, unworthy as I am, to lead you who are most worthy.”

Now, having lived the life of a bishop for twelve and a half years, I know even more my unworthiness for that sacred office. But while my grief at having been elected to the episcopacy remains, it is far outweighed by my thankfulness to our good God who loves mankind, for I have experienced firsthand how He compassionately and patiently tolerates this sinner and uses him, as He did Balaam’s ass, to lead men to the Good News of forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus and everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Now, for reasons known only to Him, He has chosen my unworthiness to bear the title of and responsibility for a newly established Diocese. Some may think that one person – in this case me, Bishop Basil – is the reason for our gathering this evening. But they would be mistaken. That which we celebrate this evening is something much bigger and of greater importance than me or any one person. It is much bigger and of greater importance than this Cathedral or any one holy temple, this City of Wichita or any one town, this State of Kansas or any one state. That which is the cause of our great rejoicing and the reason for this festive celebration is the establishment, by the Will of God, of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America – a recognition that the πλήρωμα , the fullness, of the Church of Christ lives and breathes right here in America’s Heartland.

Shortly after his consecration to the sacred episcopacy a century ago – on March 13th 1904 – St Raphael of Brooklyn performed his first priestly ordination, the ordinand being a young widower, Nicola Yanney, a native of the tiny village of Fi’eh in north Lebanon, living with his children on a farm in Gibbon, Nebraska. Father Nicola was ordained for, what was then the westernmost parish of St Raphael’s Diocese, St George Church in Kearney, Nebraska, but he was given pastoral responsibility for an area that is nearly identical to the boundaries of our newly created Diocese of Mid-America. Father Nicola’s parish stretched from the Canadian border in the north, to the Mexican border in the south, and from the Mississippi River in the east, to the Rocky Mountains in the west. It is Father Nicola who, as a circuit-riding priest headquartered in Kearney, followed the example of his Father-in Christ, St Raphael, and visited Orthodox Christians in the scattered towns, villages and isolated farm lands throughout America’s Heartland.

Could Father Nicola, the sole priest serving a parish as large as the Great Plains, have imagined that the seeds he planted would bear fruit this day as we witness the birth a Diocese comprised of fifty congregations and served by a Bishop and dozens of priests and deacons? Could any among those immigrants gathered with him at Divine Liturgy in a crowded living room on the west side of Wichita have imagined that exactly one century later there would be in this All-American city (named for a local tribe of Native Americans and which counts among its founders Catherine McCarty, the mother of Billy the Kid) a Diocesan Cathedral? “Come and see the works of the Lord, how awesome He is in His counsels, more than the sons of men” (Ps. 65:4). We bless the memory of Father Nicola and his brothers in the sacred priesthood who came after him to minister to Christ’s flock in Mid-America, and we bless the memory of their wives and children and of all the sons and daughters of the Church who first brought Holy Orthodoxy to the Great Plains and witnessed to its Truth by their very lives. God grant that we be found worthy of their sacrifice.

On behalf of their spiritual descendants, all of us gathered in this holy Cathedral from every corner of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America, I express to our Most Blessed Patriarch Ignatius IV and the venerable members of the Holy Synod of the See of the Great City-of-God Antioch and all the East, profound gratitude for discerning in us a level of spiritual maturity warranting self-rule for our beloved Archdiocese of North America.

I make a prostration before our most-beloved Father-in-God, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Philip , kissing his sacred right hand and asking his blessing and God-pleasing prayers for me and for the Christ-loving Priests and Deacons of this Diocese, their families and all the pious faithful who comprise that portion of Christ’s flock now entrusted to my archpastoral care. Your Eminence, the nearly four decades you have lived for us as Father and Chief Shepherd of the Archdiocese of North America can easily be read as pages of a living Gospel adorned with illuminations painted with by your own sweat and blood and tears. All which we are today, all which we hope to be tomorrow, is inspired by Your Eminence’s faithfulness to God’s call and your charge to us that we be nothing but the Church, the very Body of Christ her Bridegroom – here (in America), and now (the 21^st century), the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul – here and now, the Church of Saint Thekla Peer-of-the-Apostles – here and now, the Church of Saint Ignatius of Antioch – here and now, the Church of Saint John Chrysostom – here and now, the Church of Saints Pelagia the Penitent, John of Damascus, Raphael of Brooklyn – here and now. God grant that we be found worthy of Your Eminence’s confidence.

Brothers and sisters of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America, a sacred trust has been placed in our hands this evening. Responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel, responsibility for raising up holy souls and holy temples, responsibility for being the Church here in the Heartland has now been entrusted to us. The meaning of our English word ‘tradition’ is for Orthodox Christians found in the Greek word παράδοσις which literally means a ‘passing down’ or a ‘handing on’ of something. What has now been passed down or handed on to us is nothing less than “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3b). But, thanks be to God, we are not alone in fulfilling this awesome responsibility. We are eager to join with our fellow Orthodox Christians of other jurisdictions, who also call these Great Plains “home,” in building up Holy Orthodoxy in the Heartland. May God “knit us together as one man” (Judges 20:11) that we might prove to be faithful and wise stewards of that which He has entrusted to us. “For unto whosoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48b).

I am most appreciative of the presence this evening of my beloved brother in Christ and concelebrant in the Sacred Mysteries, His Grace Joseph , Bishop of Angeles and the Diocese of the West. Thank you, Sayyidna, for the trouble you have taken and for the honor you have accorded us. Εἰς πολλὰ ἔτη Δέσποτα !

I bless my clergy as well as those clergy from other Dioceses who have traveled from near and far to be present for this historic occasion. Fathers, know without a doubt that you are the joy, the consolation and the boast of all bishops of this Archdiocese. May the Lord God remember your priesthood in His kingdom always.

I bless my sisters, my Godchildren, my spiritual children and all the faithful laity present in this holy Cathedral this evening and beg your holy prayers for me and my clergy.

Let historians record that on this day, Wednesday - December 15^th 2004, Christ has adorned His Bride, the Church, with another Diocese for the preservation and propagation of Holy Orthodoxy – the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America. May we, the clergy and laity of that Diocese, always have the prayers of His all-immaculate Mother, the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, and of all the saints who in every generation have been well-pleasing to the God Who is worshipped and glorified in Trinity, now and throughout all ages. Amen.

The Kingdom is at Hand: the December 15, 2004 Enthronement of the Right Reverend Bishop BASIL to the Newly-established See of Wi

The Kingdom is at Hand: the December 15, 2004 Enthronement of the Right Reverend Bishop BASIL to the Newly-established See of Wichita and Mid-America.

Perhaps a thousand of the faithful of the self-ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America came to the enthronement of Bishop BASIL for the See of Wichita and Mid-America on the evening of December 15, 2004. They gathered at St. George Cathedral in Wichita, Kansas, to pray Vespers and to witness as Metropolitan PHILIP conveyed the episcopal staff and throne to the first bishop of the See of Wichita.

During the Vespers, hymns were sung to commemorate the next day’s remembrance of the Prophet Haggai. Looking into Holy Scripture we discern the Prophet’s words to come from the Holy Spirit with special meaning for the establishment of a new diocese and the enthronement of her new father and shepherd.

^1:6For thus saith the LORD of hosts; … ⁷ I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts… ⁹The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. … ¹⁴I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy… ¹⁶I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts… ¹⁷My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem… ^2:5For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her… ¹⁰Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. ¹¹And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

These verses from the prophecy of Haggai express the will and work of God in restoring the temple to Israel after the exile in Babylon. But they also express the will and work of God establishing in Wichita, Kansas, and across Mid-America the fullness of the New Israel, the Holy Church.

 

When the faithful arrived at the Cathedral that evening they saw not just three priests, as would be usual there; instead they saw twenty times that number! They met there perhaps sixty priests and deacons from all the parishes of the Diocese of Wichita and from parishes of other Dioceses of the Antiochian Church in North America, together with His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP of New York, His Grace JOSEPH of Los Angeles, and His Grace BASIL, titular bishop of Enfeh Al Koura – who was soon to be diocesan bishop of Wichita and Mid-America. Serving that evening were the three ranking priests of the Diocese: Archimandrite Daniel Griffith (senior priest of the Diocese), Protopresbyter Paul O’Callaghan (dean of the Diocesan Cathedral), and Economos Constantine Nasr (president of the Diocesan Council of Presbyters). They were assisted by Deacon John Timby.

Awaiting the arrival of His Eminence PHILIP, these priests, deacons and bishops lined both sides of the central aisle of the Cathedral. Many who were present later remarked on how impressive this was. Yet more impressive, according to some, was the arrival of Metropolitan PHILIP. Vested in full regalia according to the custom of Orthodox bishops, with tall black hat and veil descending down his back over a royal purple mantle, and carrying his pateritsa (pastoral staff) he was, even more than usual, the image of leadership and fatherly authority in the grace of the Holy Spirit. He made his way, preceded by the host of clergy, to his episcopal throne, the very throne he would soon deliver to his brother in the Spirit, Bishop BASIL.

As Vespers concluded, Metropolitan PHILIP descended from this throne to give the final blessing of the service. This was also to be his final blessing as the shepherd of the church of Wichita. With the conclusion of Vespers the service of Enthronement itself immediately began. This brief and matter-of-fact service (by Orthodox standards) consisted of prayers for the grace of God to be with the new bishop of the Diocese and the Metropolitan’s handing over of the pateritsa, or bishop’s staff saying, “To those who obey, may this be a staff of comfort and guidance. While to those who disobey, may this be a staff of disciplining.” Receiving the staff with these words, Bishop BASIL was escorted to the throne by the three ranking priests of the new diocese.

After donning new epitrachelion and omophorion, embroidered with images of Christ the Good Shepherd, the Apostles, the Evangelists and Ss Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, His Grace delivered his first archpastoral message to his new flock of lambs in Christ.

Here are some excerpts from that address:

“That which we celebrate this evening is something much bigger and of greater importance than me or any one person. It is much bigger and of greater importance than this Cathedral or any one holy temple, this City of Wichita or any one town, this State of Kansas or any one state. That which is the cause of our great rejoicing and the reason for this festive celebration is the establishment, by the Will of God, of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America – a recognition that the πλήρωμα , the fullness, of the Church of Christ lives and breathes right here in America’s Heartland…

The new bishop of Wichita called to remembrance his priestly predecessor in the mission of the Gospel in Mid-America, Fr. Nicola Yanney, the first Antiochian Orthodox priest west of the Mississippi. His Grace explained, “Father Nicola was ordained for, what was then the westernmost parish of St Raphael’s Diocese, St George Church in Kearney, Nebraska, but he was given pastoral responsibility for an area that is nearly identical to the boundaries of our newly created Diocese of Mid-America. Father Nicola’s parish stretched from the Canadian border in the north, to the Mexican border in the south, and from the Mississippi River in the east, to the Rocky Mountains in the west. It is Father Nicola who, as a circuit-riding priest headquartered in Kearney, followed the example of his Father-in Christ, St Raphael, and visited Orthodox Christians in the scattered towns, villages and isolated farm lands throughout America’s Heartland…

“Could Father Nicola, the sole priest serving a parish as large as the Great Plains, have imagined that the seeds he planted would bear fruit this day as we witness the birth a Diocese comprised of fifty congregations and served by a Bishop and dozens of priests and deacons? …

“Could any among those immigrants gathered with him at Divine Liturgy in a crowded living room on the west side of Wichita have imagined that exactly one century later there would be in this All-American city (named for a local tribe of Native Americans and which counts among its founders Catherine McCarty, the mother of Billy the Kid) a Diocesan Cathedral? “Come and see the works of the Lord, how awesome He is in His counsels, more than the sons of men” (Ps. 65:4)…

(The central dome of St George Cathedral in Wichita, Kansas)

Special words were reserved for gratitude to His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP: “All which we are today, all which we hope to be tomorrow, is inspired by Your Eminence’s faithfulness to God’s call and your charge to us that we be nothing but the Church, the very Body of Christ her Bridegroom – here (in America), and now (the 21^st century), the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul – here and now, the Church of Saint Thekla Peer-of-the-Apostles – here and now, the Church of Saint Ignatius of Antioch – here and now, the Church of Saint John Chrysostom – here and now, the Church of Saints Pelagia the Penitent, John of Damascus, Raphael of Brooklyn – here and now. God grant that we be found worthy of Your Eminence’s confidence.”

Shortly after this address, Bishop BASIL came forward from his episcopal throne to the same place from which Metropolitan PHILIP had given his final blessing at Vespers. From there His Grace BASIL bestowed his first blessing on his own new flock. He then turned to face the Holy Table, the throne of Christ, as the Cathedral’s protopsaltis intoned for the first time the polychronion, a formal prayer asking God to grant the bishop many years. After the service many remarked how moving it was to hear in the midst of this solemn and ancient hymn the words “Wichita” and “Mid-America.” One person noted how difficult it is to spell or even pronounce “Wichita” in the traditional and widespread languages of the Orthodox world: Russian, Arabic, Greek or others. Truly the ancient faith of the Apostles has been established in the heart of the New World.

As if all this was not enough joy and celebration, those present were invited to partake of “light refreshment” appropriate to the Church’s season of pre-Christmas fasting. The table in the Cathedral fellowship hall was well-laden and set for what must have been over one-thousand guests. If any went from there hungry they could blame no one but themselves. The hospitality of the Cathedral was, as always, without peer.

As the faithful dined, they listened to the words of those who have been important to Bishop BASIL and to what was formerly the Southwest Region. The speakers included the President of the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, Mrs. Joan Farha, the head of the Diocesan Clergy Brotherhood of St. Raphael, Very Reverend Economos Constantine Nasr, who has known Bishop BASIL since they first met at St. Vladimir Seminary thirty-four years ago; also speaking were Dr. George Farha, Vice Chairman of the Archdiocesan Board of Trustees and parishioner at St. George Cathedral, and the Dean of the Cathedral, Fr. Paul O’Callaghan. Both the Fellowship of St. John and the Clergy Brotherhood presented His Grace with gifts: the Fellowship coordinated the gift of a Life Membership in the Archdiocese’s Order of St. Ignatius and a check for use at the bishop’s pastoral discretion, and the Clergy Brotherhood likewise presented His Grace with a monetary gift to use as he sees fit for the needs of the Diocese. Fr. Paul O’Callaghan read greetings from those not in attendance, notably Patriarch IGNATIUS IV, Metropolitan ELIAS of Beirut, Metropolitan SABA of Hauran, Bishop DEMETRI of the Antiochian Archdiocese, and Archimandrite Kyrill, Abbot of the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Essex, England (where His Grace was tonsured). Dr. George and Fr. Paul both commented how if they had been told years ago of the change that would affect the Archdiocese, they both would have said this was just a collection of someone’s hallucinations.

When His Eminence stood to make the keynote address, he mused that he had indeed been the one “hallucinating” during the last two decades and that Fr Paul, Fr Constantine, Dr. George Farha, Bishop BASIL, et al., were all part of this “hallucination.” His Eminence went on to relate the life and pastorate of Bishop BASIL from his youth up. He connected these events with the broader visions he has had as Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese, all of which have materialized as concrete developments of the Church from sixty-five parishes in 1966 to over two-hundred fifty today – “and still going strong,” in his words. Specially noted by His Eminence was the reception of two-thousand, seven-hundred Evangelical Christians into the flock of Antioch in 1987. This was his example of a fulfillment of the Lord’s command to us to “’Go and make disciples of ALL nations,’ not just Syrians, Palestinians, Jordanians, Russians, Greeks.” He emphasized that he looks forward to the day when fifty bishops, not only two or three, gather on the American Continent to pray to the Triune God. “Why not,” he said. “Why not?” With this he turned to highlight the missionary work continuing in the Wichita Diocese, saying that we are not called merely to “preserve” the faith, but to spread it. He earned a hearty laugh from his hearers when he said we sometimes are so preoccupied with talk of “preservation” we are in danger of becoming pickles! He said preserving the faith is not our chief purpose. We preserve the faith so that we may obey the Lord and spread it, “Our Lord did not tell us to preserve the faith, but to spread it!”

Finally, His Eminence displayed for the edification and blessing of the faithful the engolpion, or pectoral icon of the Archangel Raphael, which he wore that evening. He told them that it was the very one worn by St. Raphael a century ago, and worn by himself at Bishop BASIL’s ordination to the priesthood in 1980 and consecration to the episcopacy in 1992.

With that the benediction was given and the faithful departed with much joy, having participated in an event that was not once-in-a-lifetime, but truly once in history, never to be repeated. We have all been enriched by this gift of grace given to us in the form of a God-fearing bishop who presides over an equally God-protected diocese. So we do well to keep ever in mind the exhortation of the Apostle: “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you (Hebrews 13:17).”

To BASIL the most pure and right reverend, chosen by God, Bishop of the See of Wichita and Mid-America, our Father and Chief Shepherd, many years!

Submitted this 20^th day of December,
the feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch, 2004,
by the most unworthy Rev. Fr. Paul Hodge,

Secretary of the Diocesan Council of Presbyters.

Three New Diocesan Bishops Consecrated for the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 6, 2004 –

Englewood, New Jersey

 

 

 

Three New Diocesan Bishops Consecrated for the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of

North America

 

 

 

Over the weekend of December 3^rd through 5^th, 2004, three new diocesan bishops were consecrated for the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of

North America.  The consecrations took place in the Patriarchal Cathedral in Damascus, Syria, and were presided over by His Beatitude IGNATIUS IV, Patriarch of Antioch and All of the East.

 

 

 

The three new diocesan bishops, and their dioceses are as follows:

 

 

 

His Grace, THOMAS (Joseph), Bishop of

Pittsburgh and the Diocese

 

of the East.

 

 

 

His Grace, MARK (Maymon), Bishop of

Toledo and the Diocese

 

of the

Midwest.

 

 

 

His Grace ALEXANDER (Mufarrij), Bishop of

Ottawa and the Diocese

 

of Eastern Canada and Upstate

New York.

 

 

 

These consecrations are an important step in the implementation of the Self-rule status that was granted to this Archdiocese by the Resolution of the Holy Synod of Antioch which was approved on October 9^th, 2003, and signed by every member of the Holy Synod.  Subsequent to that resolution, the General Assembly of the Archdiocese met in a Special Convention in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 16^th, 2004, and unanimously approved an amended Constitution that specifies the detailed implementation of the Self-rule status, including the procedure for the election, consecration, and enthronement of diocesan bishops.  At that same Special Convention, the General Assembly nominated, from a list of eligible clergymen, those candidates who would stand for election as diocesan bishops.  The three new bishops were elected by the Local Synod of this Archdiocese as its duly convened meeting in Naples, Florida, on October 29^th, 2004.

 

 

 

The three new bishops will assume their diocesan responsibilities effective January 1^st, 2005, and they will be enthroned in their respective Cathedrals some time after that date.  The first enthronement of a diocesan bishop under self-rule status occurred on September 12^th, 2004, when His Grace JOSEPH, Bishop of Los Angeles and the Diocese of the West was enthroned by His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP at St. Nicholas Cathedral in

Los Angeles, California.  The enthronement of His Grace BASIL, Bishop of Wichita and the Diocese of Mid-America is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, December 15^th, 2004, at St. George Cathedral, Wichita, Kansas, and His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP will preside.  The enthronement of His Grace ANTOUN, Bishop of Miami and the Diocese of the Southeast is being scheduled.

 

 

 

It is clear that the Holy Spirit is working in a powerful way as the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese in

North America makes these historic strides to implement self-rule.

 

 

 

We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to Our Father in Christ, Patriarch IGNATIUS IV, and the members of the Holy Synod of Antioch for their continuing support of the North American Archdiocese.  In addition, we thank our Metropolitan PHILIP for his vision and untiring leadership which inspires us to greater works for the Glory of God. We pray that our Lord will guide and protect Bishop THOMAS, Bishop MARK, and Bishop ALEXANDER as they assume their positions as shepherds of their dioceses.  We pray that God will grant them all Many Years!

 

 PDF Version

 

 

 

Message of Condolence on the Passing of Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Statement on the Passing of
Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco

December 28, 2004

His Eminence, The Most Reverend Archbishop DEMETRIOS
The Venerable Members of the Eparchial Synod
Esteemed Members of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Council
Reverend Clergy and Laity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

With much sadness, we received the news of the falling asleep in Christ of our beloved brother, His Eminence, Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco.

Death in human experience has never been easy, whether it comes in youth or in old age, whether it comes suddenly or after a long illness, it always leaves in its wake sorrow, tears, loneliness and longing. But our Lord, who has conquered death by his own death, proved to us that beyond Calvary, there is the empty tomb and all of us, if we live the way Metropolitan Anthony lived, will be with Christ in His heavenly kingdom.

During the past twenty-five years of shepherding the Metropolis of San Francisco, he proved himself to be the “good shepherd.” Through his hard work and the many organizations which he created, he will always be remembered as one of the great Prelates of our Holy Orthodox Church.

On behalf of the hierarchs, the Board of Trustees, the clergy and laity of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, we convey to you, his immediate family and all the Greek Orthodox people in America our deepest sympathy.

May the soul of our beloved brother, Metropolitan Anthony, rest in peace and may his memory be eternal.

+ Metropolitan PHILIP

Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Antiochian Orthodox to Enthrone First Bishop of Los Angeles and the West

NEWS RELEASE

August 1, 2004 For further information contact:

For immediate release Fr. Peter Gillquist (805)968-8648

Antiochian Orthodox to Enthrone First Bishop of Los Angeles and the West

Immigrant bishop turned American citizen thanks God for the freedom we enjoy here.

In an historic event, the Right Reverend Bishop Joseph will be enthroned as the first bishop of the new Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of the West. The enthronement ceremony will take place Sunday, September 12, at 10:30am at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, 2300 West Third Street, Los Angeles. The Most Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP, primate of the Antiochian Archdiocese in North America, will preside.

The new diocese and bishop are results of the self-ruling status recently granted by the Holy Synod of Antioch, headquartered in Damascus, Syria, to its daughter Church in North America. With self-rule comes the re-structuring of the Antiochian Archdiocese into regional dioceses and the election of its own bishops.

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Bishop Joseph was consecrated to the episcopacy in Syria in 1991. In 1995, upon the request of Metropolitan PHILIP, the bishop was sent to the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America as one of the auxiliary bishops and was assigned by Metropolitan PHILIP to oversee the Western Region of the Archdiocese, residing in Los Angeles. Before coming to America, Bishop Joseph served as assistant to the Patriarch of Antioch and as secretary to the Holy Synod. He also was involved in missionary work, planting Churches in London and Cyprus, and for a time worked as a high school principal in Syria. In 2003, Bishop Joseph became a citizen of the United States.

“His Grace Bishop Joseph is the first of our bishops to be enthroned to lead a diocese here in America,” noted Metropolitan PHILIP. “He has served the Church with distinction and has and will bring numerous new converts into the Orthodox Church.”

“It is such an honor for me to serve the Church here in America,” Bishop Joseph told a group of Antiochian Orthodox priests last week. “As an immigrant, I can tell you freedom here is a gift from God.”

The enthronement ceremony Sunday morning is free and open to the public. A reception and luncheon honoring Bishop Joseph will follow at 1:00pm at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles. For luncheon reservations and more information call the cathedral office at (213) 382-6269.

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Holy Synod of Antioch Approves the Constitution of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 22, 2004 – Englewood, New Jersey

HOLY SYNOD OF ANTIOCH APPROVES THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SELF-RULED ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF NORTH AMERICA

On Thursday, October 14^th, 2004, the Holy Synod of Antioch voted to approve the Constitution of the self-ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. By this action, the final step has been taken and this Archdiocese can now function as a self-ruling Archdiocese.

In approving the Constitution, several important changes were made to the version that had been approved by the General Assembly of the Special Convention in Pittsburgh on July 16^th, 2004. The following are the significant changes that were made:

1. The election of Diocesan bishops will be conducted by the Local Synod (Archdiocesan Synod), with the participation of only the Metropolitan, and the Diocesan Bishops who are members of the Local Synod (Archdiocesan Synod).

2. The consecration of Diocesan Bishops will be held at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Damascus, Syria.

3. Clergy from this Archdiocese who are eligible for election will be added to the master list of candidates held in the Patriarchate, and the General Assembly of this Archdiocese will nominate candidates from this master list.

4. Other minor changes that will be communicated in the near future

The final ratification of this amended Constitution by the General Assembly of this Archdiocese will be accomplished at the upcoming 47^th Convention of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America which is scheduled to be held from July 24^th through 31^st, 2005, and hosted by St. George Church of Troy, Michigan.

In accordance with this decision, the Local Synod will elect three new Diocesan Bishops at its upcoming Fall meeting which will be held on Friday October 29^th, 2004, in Naples Florida. The consecration of these new Diocesan Bishops will take place in Damascus at some time following the election. Some time after the consecration, they will be enthroned in the Cathedral of their diocese.

His Eminence was accompanied to the Middle East by the following members of our Archdiocese (listed in alphabetical order):

Dr. George Farha, Vice Chairman of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees

Very Rev. Joseph Antypas, Pastor of St. George Church of Troy, Michigan

Mr. Nicola Antakli, Member of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees

Mr. Fawaz El Khoury, Member of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees

Mr. Walid Khalife, Honorary Member of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees

Mr. Anton Khoury, Member of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees

We are thankful to these men for the outstanding support that they gave to His Eminence throughout this arduous journey.

We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to Our Father in Christ, Patriarch IGNATIUS IV, and the members of the Holy Synod of Antioch for this vote of confidence in the North American Archdiocese. In addition, we thank our Metropolitan PHILIP for his vision and untiring leadership, without which, this historic event could not have occurred. We pray that God will grant them all Many Years!

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His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH Enthroned as The First Bishop of the Diocese Los Angeles and the West

His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH Enthroned as The First Bishop of the Diocese Los Angeles and the West

by Fr. Joseph Corrigan

September 12, 2004, Los Angeles, California.

During the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles, this morning, His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP gave to His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH, the arch-pastoral staff, which heretofore he had carried as Auxiliary Bishop to the Metropolitan. Immediately after this, Bishop JOSEPH ascended the episcopal throne of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles as His Eminence prayed the prayer of enthronement. Having been enthroned as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, Bishop JOSEPH’s homily spelled out his vision of increasingly effective evangelism with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and deepening pastoral care for all the faithful of the newly formed Diocese.

Metropolitan PHILIP gives to Bishop JOSEPH the Archpastoral staff.

Bishop JOSEPH ascends the Episcopal Throne at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles.

In October of 2003, the Holy Synod of Antioch joined His Beatitude, IGNATIUS IV in granting to the Antiochian Christian Archdiocese of North America the status of Self-Rule. At the Special Convention of the Archdiocese in July of this year, the delegates unanimously approved the changes proposed for the Archdiocese Constitution which had been made to reflect our new Self-Rule status by the Chancellors, Charles Ajalat and Robert Koory. The delegates also confirmed the nomination of candidates from which the Local Synod will choose three new diocesan bishops for our Archdiocese. Read more about Self-Rule here.

“With the enthronement of our brother, Bishop JOSEPH,” said Metropolitan PHILIP, “we take the first step in applying our Self-Rule status. Thus, Bishop JOSEPH’s enthronement is truly an historic occasion.”

Metropolitan PHILIP teaches about the responsibilities of one who would bear the Archpastoral staff andexplains the historical significance of today’s events.

 

Soon to be followed by His Grace, Bishop BASIL’s enthronement on the episcopal throne at St. George Cathedral in Wichita, Kansas and the Bishop of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America, today’s milestone sets in motion the eventual enthronement of nine Diocesan Bishops in the nine Diocese that will constitute our God-protected Archdiocese.

Most of the clergy of the newly formed Diocese of Los Angeles and the West were in attendance at St. Nicholas Cathedral, coming from as far away as Alaska, Idaho and Arizona. The cathedral was filled to beyond its capacity with overflow seating with closed-circuit television coverage being projected on large screens in the nearby parish hall. Four chalices were assigned there for Communion. Joining the faithful of St. Nicholas Cathedral were many the faithful from neighborining Antiochian parishes of Southern California, the Board of Trustees and the Governing Council of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch.

Most of the Clergy of the newly formed Diocese of Los Angeles and the West were present for the Enthronement of Bishop JOSEPH.

Bishop JOSEPH was honored by the presence of His Grace, Bishop BENJAMIN of the OCA, His Grace, Bishop SYRAPION, of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Los Angeles, and His Grace, Bishop Todd Brown of Orange, of the Roman Catholic Church. Along with them were many municipal and foreign dignitaries, including Farid Abboud, the Ambassador of Lebanon and Hazem Shehabi, the Consul General of Syria.

Honoring Bishop JOSEPH at his Enthronement are Bishop SERAPION of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Los Angeles and Bishop Todd Brown of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Orange California.

Ambassador Abboud of Lebanon brings greetings to Bishop JOSEPH.

The ballroom was filled to capacity for this special banquet.

Bishop BENJAMIN of the OCA, Bishop BASIL, and Bishop JOSEPH at the Hierarchs' Head Table.

No stranger to such occasions, Fr. Peter Gillquist did a masterful job in “governing the feast.”

 

Following the services, a banquet celebrating Bishop JOSEPH’s Enthronement was held in nearby Downtown Los Angeles at the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel. The Archpriest Peter Gillquist, Director of the Department of Missions and Evangelism for the Archdiocese was the Master of Ceremonies who began the afternoon festivities by introducing the Dignitaries at the Head Table as they entered the Millennium Ballroom: The Protosynkellos, the Right Reverend Fr. Paul Doyle, Dn. Thomas Nassif of St. Anthony Church in San Diego, Hazem Shehabi, the Consul General of Syria, Farid Abboud, the Ambassador of Lebanon, His Grace, His Grace, Bishop Todd Brown of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, California, His Grace, Bishop BENJAMIN of the OCA, Bishop BASIL, soon to be enthroned as the Bishop of the new Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America, His Grace Bishop JOSEPH, His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP, the Rev. Fr. Michel Najim, the Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles and his Khouria, Eva Najim, and Mr. and Mrs. John L. Sadd, Jr., St. Nicholas Cathedral Parish Council Chairman and the Chairpersons of the Enthronement Banquet. Although not seated at the head table, Fr. Augustino Hanna, pastor of St. John Coptic Orthodox Church of Covina, California represented Bishop SERAPION who could not attend the banquet.

Following an invocation by His Eminence, and some short introductory remarks by Fr. Gillquist, a luncheon, consistent with the Biltmore Hotel’s excellent reputation as one of the best hotels in Los Angeles was served. Those attending had the choice between a filet mignon and an excellently prepared white fish with an apple pie dessert.

Fr. Michel began the final part of the afternoon by speaking of personal remembrances and some historical reflections of the life of Bishop JOSEPH. His remarks were followed by a short video which highlighted some major milestones of his life and focused on his consecration as a bishop in 1991 at the hands of his own mentor, our Patriarch, His Beatitude, IGNATIUS IV.

After some kind greetings and remarks by Farid Abboud, the Ambassador of Lebanon and Hazem Shehabi, the Consul General of Syria, Dn. Thomas Nassif, himself have significant, successful experience and an Ambassador of the United States, read a letter of congratulations to Bishop JOSEPH from California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Fr. Peter Gillquist then read letters of congratulations from Councilman Michael Antonovich of the Los Angeles City Council, from Congressman Darrel Issa, and from other civil and ecclesiastic officials to numerous to mention.

Dn. Thomas Nassif reads a letter to Bishop JOSEPH from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

 

Our beloved Metropolitan PHILIP took a few moments to put the glorious events of the day into concise, historical perspective. He underlined the profound historical significance of the events we experienced together. After presenting an exquisite engolpion (The Icon of the Theotokos a Bishop wears as the insignia of his office) to Bishop JOSEPH, Metropolitan PHILIP introduced him as the newly enthroned, first Bishop of Los Angeles and the West. Following a warm and enthusiastic welcome by all those present, Bishop JOSEPH spoke to us, again targeting Orthodox unity, the evangelism of North America by the Holy Orthodox Church and the care of God’s faithful in his remarks. The afternoon concluded as Bishop BASIL of Wichita, brought his personal best wishes and best regards to our Bishop JOSEPH.

It was a long day, and it was a glorious one. History is always in the making and most events that end up in history books can be seen as such only in retrospect. Relatively few people can say that they knew they were living in a turning point of history, even as they were happening. This sentiment is summarized in the words familiar to the older among us who remember how Walter Cronkite used to conclude his first television documentary program, You Were There :

“What kind of a day was it? A day like all days, filled with those events that alter and illuminate our times, except...you were there!”

We were there when it happened. We were there when the Archdiocese took a bold step into the new era of our self-rule and the increasing possibility of the unity of the Holy Orthodox Church in North America.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette News about the Archdiocese

Sunday, July 18, 2004	Orthodox self-rule just start of vision
Saturday, July 17, 2004	Orthodox church approves self-rule
Friday, July 16, 2004	Self-rule for some Orthodox Christians is just days away
Thursday, June 17, 2004	Antiochian Heritage Museum opens in Westmoreland County

Photos from The Thirteenth Biennial Clergy Symposium

Photos from The Thirteenth Biennial Clergy Symposium

Father Joseph Allen addresses the clergy with opening comments.

“This year’s theme is, A Diversity of Ministries, the Same Lord.”- I Corinthians 12:5

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Fr. John Breck addresses clergy on the bio-ethical challenges in a post modern world. He discusses ways priests may offer pastoral guidance to those who make moral decisions with regard to medical technology.

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The Most Reverend Archbishop PETER addresses the clergy on the topic of Ecclesial Structures according to the Canonical Tradition.

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Clergy attending the symposium listen to, ask questions of, and hold dialogue with the special speakers.

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Vendors are invited to the symposium to provide clergy with a range of products for their parish ministry.

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As usual the Antiochian Village provides excellent fare for our clergy.

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His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP addresses the clergy conveying words of vision, humor, and love to the clergy.

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His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP takes photos with graduates after conferring their degrees.

Over 100 College Students Live the Orthodox Faith on their Spring Break

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             Orthodox Christian Fellowship

 

Thursday, June 10, 2004                            P.O. Box 249

 

                                                              

Boston, MA  02130

 

Contact: Joseph J. Samra                           1-800-919-1623

 

Program Coordinator                                 www.ocf.net

 

 

 

Over 100 College Students Live the Orthodox Faith on their Spring Break

 

 

 

BOSTON, MA— This spring, while hundreds of thousands of college students flocked to spring break hot-spots such as Cancun and

Ft. Lauderdale, 102 Orthodox college students opted for dramatically different destinations. These students chose to spend their week away from school pressures serving those less fortunate. Real Break, the spring break alternative program of Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) had another record breaking year, with eight teams working in five different locations. They served the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage in Guatemala, Project Mexico, the Aleutian village of Eklutna, Alaska, Raphael House in San Francisco and St. George the Martyr Monastery in Greece.

 

Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage in

Guatemala hosted two teams, who experienced the love and hope of over 150 children living there. Real Break returned to Project Mexico with three trips, where the teams completed three buildings to be used as housing for Project Mexico’s summer groups. The Orthodox young people also spent valuable time with the 18 boys of St. Innocent Orphanage. In the serene landscape of Alaska, a world away from the tropical beaches where many of their classmates were spending their week, a team built a new floor for St. Nicholas Church. In Karditsa, Greece, the students worked on a monastery landscaping project, while witnessing the vibrant expressions of Orthodoxy of the surrounding community and monasteries. Real Break also returned to San Francisco to help serve food and maintain facilities at Raphael House, a shelter for homeless families.

 

 

 

The intent of the program is to impact our Orthodox college students with the life-changing experience of living a full Orthodox lifestyle. Elyse Pickwick, a sophomore from

Eastern Kentucky University reflected on her experience in Greece: “I have been influenced in so many ways – my focus was put into perspective.  I realized its ok to change your plans for no other reason but GOD!”

 

 

 

Now in its fifth year, Real Break has had 340 students participate, with 2004 the biggest year, seeing a 50% increase in participation. Fr. Michael Nasser, Executive Director of OCF stated, “Real Break has become one of the most important experiences a student can choose to take. The time spent in these amazing places changes the student for life, spiritually and mentally, ultimately bringing them closer to Christ.”

 

 

 

Each Real Break provides alternatives to "traditional" spring breaks for Orthodox college students, and gives them instead a full Christian experience of fellowship and service to others. The program provides opportunities for spiritual growth with one-on-one interaction with a priest accompanying each group. Each participant is asked to raise the funds for their trip, with donors becoming a part of each participant’s experience as photos and stories are shared upon their return.  Excess funds are distributed directly to the location. This year over $30,000 will be given to these locations’ ministries on behalf of the students and their donors.

 

 

 

For more information about Real Break visit http://realbreak.ocf.net

 

Photo Caption:

 

Ben, a graduate student at the Miami University Ohio, enjoys his time spent with his friend David, one of the many children he interacted with on one of the 2004 Real Breaks to Hogar Rafael Ayau in Guatemala.

 

 

 

About OCF

 

Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is the official campus ministry effort of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA).  It is a Pan-Orthodox effort, overseen by an Executive Committee and aided by a sixteen-person Student Advisory Board. The office is located in Boston, MA, where a full time staff develops OCF programs and resources. The staff is available to guide and support local OCF chapters through communication with the larger Orthodox community, national programs, and development of resources for use by Orthodox college students. SCOBA designated the 3rd Sunday in September each year as “College Student Sunday” to raise awareness of our students on campus and OCF’s activities.

 

Appeal for Tsunami Relief

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Statement/Appeal Regarding the
Tsunami in the Indian Ocean Basin

December 29, 2004

Venerable Hierarchs, Esteemed Members of the Board of Trustees, and Beloved Clergy and Faithful of this God-Protected Archdiocese:

We hope and trust that you have had a most blessed and joyful Nativity celebration. We are writing to you on the threshold of a New Year which we pray will be filled with peace and tranquility throughout the world. It is in this spirit that we also make this appeal to you.

You have all no doubt been following the news of the terrible devastation in Southern Asia, in the wake of the powerful tidal waves that swept across the Indian Ocean, striking the countries of Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Burma, and Malaysia. The current estimates place the number of dead in excess of 60,000, with disaster experts predicting that the death toll could reach 100,000. This does not account for the enormous numbers of injured and homeless people due to this tragedy.

In my entire life, I have not witnessed a natural disaster that has caused human tragedy on this scale. It brings pain to all of us that the people in this part of the world, who already suffer more than their share of poverty, must also endure this suffering. Two of the Fathers of the Holy Orthodox Church speak with power and conviction regarding our responsibility as Christians in this time of need:

“The price of the Kingdom is the food that you give to those who need it.” – St. Leo the Great

“Feeding the hungry is a greater work than raising the dead.” – St. John Chrysostom

We completely support the efforts of the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to respond to this emergency need. We call on all members of this Archdiocese to contribute generously to this appeal through the IOCC. Specific information on how to contribute can be found at www.iocc.org/news/12-27-04.shtml

Praying that you will have a blessed New Year, I remain,

Your Father in Christ,

Metropolitan PHILIP
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America

Important Statement on the Self-Rule Status of our Archdiocese

 

 

Important Statement on the Self-Rule Status of our Archdiocese

Holy Thursday- April 8, 2004

Unfortunately, there has been some recent and isolated activity that has caused some people to question the self-rule status that was granted to this Archdiocese by His Beatitude Patriarch IGNATIUS IV and the Holy Synod of Antioch in October, 2003. It should be known without hesitation or reservation, that our self-rule status is final, and that we are proceeding with all due diligence to implement this self-rule status. Proposed Diocesan boundaries have been drawn, and detailed documents have been written that specify the Rights and Responsibilities of both the Metropolitan, and the Diocesan Bishops under this new structure. We are working on the drafting of amendments to our Constitution that will implement self-rule. All of this work will culminate in our historic Special Convention, to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the weekend of July 16-18, 2004. At that Special Convention, we will approve the amended constitution, present the Diocesan structure, and the entire General Assembly of clergy and laity will nominate candidates who will stand for election as new Diocesan Bishops. We continue to enjoy the best relations with our beloved Patriarch IGNATIUS IV and the Mother Church of Antioch. May God bless our efforts to move forward in a positive way for the Glorification of His Holy Name.

The Thirteenth Biennial Clergy Symposium

The Thirteenth Biennial Clergy Symposium (2004)

The Thirteenth Biennial Clergy Symposium was held the July 18-22. This year’s theme was “A Diversity of Ministries, the Same Lord”- I Corinthians 12:5. Over 200 clergy from across North America assembled at the Antiochian Village in Ligonier, PA, to worship, pray, learn, share fellowship, and break bread together.

The Holy Hierarchs of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese (including His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP, Bishop ANTOUN, Bishop JOSEPH, and Bishop BASIL) were in attendance celebrating liturgical worship services together with our priests, officiating at meetings, attending lectures, and hearing reports from clergy and department heads.

The conference opened Sunday with the liturgical service of the Blessing of the Water celebrated by Bishop BASIL in Ss. Peter and Paul Chapel. It seemed as if God’s own hand blessed the service by sending a powerful rainstorm to shower water upon the roof of the chapel during the service. Priests’ voices rang in hymns of praise to God amidst the resonance of the spectacular thunder shower just outside the chapel. This opening service commenced the rhythm of worship which continued in the three services a day held during each day of the symposium and was crowned by Divine Liturgy celebrated on the morning of the final day.

The clergy symposium is part of the Antiochian House of Studies program for the continuing education of our priests. Every other year it provides a forum for both theory and praxis in the ministry of the priesthood.

The continuing education of our clergy began with opening comments by Fr. Joseph Allen, Chairman of Theological & Pastoral Education. Immediately after his opening comments Fr. Joseph sent the clergy off to begin working in groups to discuss and formulate practical responses to assigned topics.

Each day clergy attended morning lectures. This year’s lecturers included Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas, Fr. John Breck and The Most Reverend Archbishop PETER .

Each afternoon clergy choose to attend electives from the following ten electives offered this year:

1. The Place of Sacred Music in Worship Today
2. The Ministry to Marriage and Family
3. Christian Education in Today’s Church (Focus on Teaching Tithing)
4. Pastor, People, Parish
5. The Role of the Internet in Today’s Church
6. Compensation and Retirement Planning
7. Empowering Lay Leadership for Evangelization
8. Christianity and Islam
9. Relations of Orthodox with Other Arab Christians
10. Ministry of Repentance and Direction Today

On the last night of the symposium His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP held a meeting with clergy. During the meeting clergy reported on their conclusions made in their group topic sessions and elective chairpersons presented brief reports on the major issues taught and discussed during their sessions. His Eminence also presided over the Conferring of Degrees Ceremony in which he presented degrees to graduates of the Masters Degree program in Applied Orthodox Theology and the Doctor of Ministry Program.

Click here to view pictures from the clergy symposium.

 

 

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[1] Fr. John Breck was Professor of New Testament and Ethics at St. Vladimir's Seminary, and is presently Professor of Biblical Interpretation and Ethics at St. Sergius Theological Institute, Paris, France. With his wife, Lyn, he is the director of the St. Silouan Retreat Center, Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina.

[2] Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas is Professor Emeritus of Liturgical Theology at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

[3] The Most Reverend PETER is Archbishop of New York and New Jersey (Orthodox Church in America)

An Important Notice Regarding Bringing America to Orthodoxy!

An Important Notice Regarding Bringing America to Orthodoxy!

Dear Friend,

The 2004 North American Orthodox Conference on Missions and Evangelism will be held September 3-6 (Labor Day Weekend) in Norman, Oklahoma, just outside Oklahoma City. The Conference is a cross-jurisdictional event sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, and hosted by the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese Department of Missions and Evangelism.

Participants will learn how to share their Christian Faith from an Orthodox perspective and help their parishes grow. The Conference has proven enormously beneficial to hundreds of Orthodox clergy and laity for well over a decade, and even has become a popular and pivotal event for inquirers exploring the Orthodox Church.

This year’s Conference features Fr. Peter Gillquist, Prof. Matthew Gallatin (author of “Thirsting For God”), and Mrs. Catherine Lingas (president of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Commission on Orthodox Missions and Evangelism). This excellent line-up of speakers addressing several new and very important topics, combined with the top-notch facilities offered by the University of Oklahoma at a very affordable rate, adds up to a terrifically inspirational and instructional experience for Orthodox Christians who wish to share their “pearl of great price”.

This is the first time the Conference has been offered in the middle part of America. Don’t let this fantastic opportunity for spiritual education and renewal pass you by, especially if you live in the Midwest, South, or Southwest.

Please consider attending the 2004 Orthodox Conference on Missions and Evangelism. For complete information and registration instructions, visit www.antiochian.org/missions/conference, or call the conference coordinator at (805) 685-8999. Please note that this year, for the first time, you may register on-line if you wish, and you have the option of paying by credit card.

Finally, please share this information with a friend(s), and remember those who labor on this Conference and its participants in your prayers. Thank you, and may the Lord God bless you!

Yours in Christ,

Howard Lange

Department of Missions and Evangelism

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese

777 Camino Pescadero

Goleta , CA 93117

office phone: (805) 685-8999

More Assistance Needed for Hurricane Victims

September 16, 2004

TO BE READ FROM THE PULPIT

Beloved Clergy and Faithful of our Archdiocese:

Greetings and Blessings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

As you all know, the devastation from hurricane Charley has been followed by additional hurricanes that have ravaged areas of the South, some of which had not even begun to recover from the previous storms. In our message of August 16, 2004, we appealed to all of the communities of this Archdiocese to take a special collection to assist the victims of hurricane Charley. Unfortunately, the response to this appeal has been very disappointing.

In light of the disappointing response to the first appeal, and the additional tragedy that has been wrought by new storms, we appeal to you to take another special collection as soon as possible and forward it to the Archdiocese headquarters immediately, marked "Hurricane Relief", so that we can do our share to try and ease a small portion of the suffering.May the Almighty God continue to bless all of you.

Your father in Christ,

Metropolitan PHILIP
Primate
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Original Appeal Letter