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On Thursday, February 27, 2020, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon participated in the spring meeting of the Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. The meeting was hosted by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America at the headquarters of the archdiocese in Englewood, New Jersey.
The meeting, convened by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Archbishop of New York of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops in the United States also included His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Metropolia of the United States, His Grace Bishop Saba of the Georgian Orthodox Church, His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa of the American Carpatho-Russian Diocese of the United States, secretary of the assembly, and His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey of the Orthodox Church in America, treasurer of the assembly.
The Executive Committee heard reports on the budget, committee work and ongoing projects as well as plans for the 10th meeting of the assembly slated to be convened May 2-5 in Washington D.C. The anniversary weekend will include a reception for clergy families on the evening of May 2nd, and concelebration of the Divine Liturgy of all bishops of the assembly on Sunday, May 3rd.
Of particular note was the report of a task force that was commissioned by the Executive Committee to identify and develop programs to address the crisis of homelessness. The task force recommended the creation of an Orthodox Volunteer Corps (OVC) which will provide young adults the opportunity to serve in a humanitarian organization for one year after collegiate or graduate studies. The Executive Committee looks forward to the launch of this new endeavor in 2021.
Read the official press release from the assembly’s communications office on their website.
In related news from the assembly, this Sunday has been designated Mission Sunday by the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States. “The Church has sent missionaries (beginning with the Apostles themselves) into the world to bear witness to the Faith”, said His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, Episcopal Liaison of the assembly to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center and Father Martin Ritsi, Executive Director of the mission center in a letter announcing Mission Sunday. “This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the canonization of one such missionary – St. Herman of Alaska. His inspirational life is an example of how we too can share the Truth of Orthodoxy to the ends of the earth. As we begin Great and Holy Lent, journeying steadily toward Christ’s triumphant Resurrection, please remember that His sacrifice was for the salvation of all humankind. Please also remember that there are still over one billion people in the world who have yet to hear about Christ in a meaningful way. Pray that these people may be reached, and prayerfully consider all you can do to make this possible.” To read more about the work of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center [OCMC], or to make a donation to the mission center, visit their website.
(Photos courtesy of Dimitrios Panagos: panagos.com/)
