UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA

CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

PRESS RELEASE

Annual Assembly Convenes with Clergy-Laity Gathering in Dallas, TX

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America commenced its fifth annual meeting Monday, September 15, with a Pan-Orthodox Clergy-Laity Gathering in Dallas, Texas. Some two hundred people attended, including more than 30 bishops representing the member jurisdictions of the Assembly.

The evening began with a Doxology—a service of Thanksgiving—presided over by the Chairman of the Assembly, Archbishop Demetrios of America.  His Eminence welcomed those in attendance, remarking that the Doxology was an opportunity to thank God for all His gifts and for bringing the Assembly together once again. His Eminence expressed his wish that the evening would make the faithful more aware of the sacred and great work that the Lord is doing through the Assembly.

Following the Doxology, a panel of bishops answered questions submitted by those in attendance. Questions pertained to the work of the Assembly, including youth ministry, inter-church relations, and evangelism and outreach, and challenges facing the Orthodox Church today, including questions of language, administrative reorganization, and persecution of Christians in the Middle East.

The evening concluded with a meal and fellowship in the church hall. The Assembly is grateful to the parish of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, which hosted the event, and the numerous Orthodox parishes in the Dallas area that helped make the evening fruitful.

The Assembly’s official deliberations started on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 after a morning Divine Liturgy and memorial service for Metropolitan Philip of blessed memory (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese), who passed away in March of 2014.

As the first plenary session concluded, the hierarchs approved various reports of the Assembly’s Committees as well as reports of Agencies and Endorsed Organizations. In addition, a presentation of the Committee of Canonical Affairs was offered for consideration and further action of the hierarchs.

The hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA took active part in the proceedings of the Assembly.

His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA who serves as Treasurer of the Assembly presented Treasurer’s report for the Assembly and presented a budget for 2015.

His Grace Bishop Daniel, President of the Consistory and Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the UOC of the USA, who serves as Chairman of the Committee for Legal Affairs presented his report and offered the expertize of about 15 lawyers of his committee to assist the Assembly in its work with various projects that require legal counsel.

The sessions of the Assembly will continue on 17-18 September, 2014.