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At its meeting at the Chancery on Monday, November 27, 2017, the Preconciliar Commission [PCC], which is charged with organizing the 19th All-American Council [AAC] of the Orthodox Church in America, finalized the Council agenda as blessed by the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops at their recent Fall Session.

The Council will be held in Saint Louis, MO July 23-27, 2018.  The theme—“For The Life Of The World”—is inspired by the classic book of the same name by the late Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, who for many years served as Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY.

“The agenda is now in the final planning phase and will be released in the Spring,” said Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary.  “Among the highlights of the agenda are the six forums on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, the video presentations by the dioceses on the AAC theme, and the regular round of reports, resolutions and business of the Church.”

Highlights of the meeting include the following.

  • In conjunction with the AAC, the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians of America [FOCA] will hold its its annual convention.
  • Final preparations are underway for electronic registration, which will open in early January.
  • Priest Benjamin Tucci offered an update on the AAC youth program, noting that registration also will begin in early January.  Volunteers are still being accepted to assist in the operation of the youth program.  Volunteers are encouraged to register online at their earliest convenience.
  • Melanie Ringa, OCA Treasurer, updated PCC members on the current assessment and budget of the AAC.  As announced earlier, assessments have been sent to the dioceses; no parish will be directly assessed for the AAC.  She noted that the PCC’s expenses to date are under budget.

“In a few weeks, a reminder with detailed registration information, together with the 2018 Desk Calendar, will be mailed to all clergy,” Father Eric explained.  “It will include complete instructions on how to register for the Council and for the hotel on the AAC website.  Also included in the mailing will be instructions for submitting Statute Amendments and Resolutions, already available online.”

Regular updates are available on the 19th AAC website.