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On November 6-10, 2023 the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America met under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon for its Regular Fall 2023 Session at the historic Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago, IL.
His Beatitude presented his report describing his primatial activities since the last meeting. The Holy Synod went on to discuss a wide variety of topics related to the life of the Church.
On November 7, the Reverend Hieromonk Benedict (Churchill) was canonically elected as the Bishop of Hartford and the Diocese of New England after being nominated by the Diocese of New England’s special nominating assembly on October 28, 2023. Father Benedict’s Episcopal ordination is scheduled for December 1-2, 2023 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Boston, MA. Following the election, His Beatitude led the Synod in a brief Service of Thanksgiving, after which all of the bishops blessed Father Benedict with holy water and offered him words of encouragement and congratulations.
On the morning of November 8, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest presided at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with His Eminence were Bishop-elect Benedict and Priest Alexander Koranda, Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral. During the service His Eminence elevated Father Benedict to the rank of archimandrite.
Later that day, at the petition of His Grace Alexei, Bishop of Sitka and the Diocese of Alaska, the Holy Synod made the decision to move forward and canonize the Righteous Matushka Olga. The Synod issued a proclamation on her glorification and asked for all necessary preparations to be made for the Rite of Glorification, to take place at a future date.
Later that day, the Synod heard reports from Archpriest Alexander Rentel, Chancellor, and Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Secretary.
The following day, the Synod heard the report of Mr. Andrew Smith, Treasurer, who presented on the finances of the Church and the 2024 Budget. Later that morning, the Pension Board presented their report via teleconference.
In the afternoon, His Eminence Archbishop Michael, Archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, presented the report from the Board of Theological Education. His Eminence also presented the candidates for ordination from the Diaconal Vocations Program.
