Met. Philip and Met. Jonah hold meeting

ENGLEWOOD, NJ (OCA) - A "friendly and mutually profitable" meeting was held between His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah of the Orthodox Church in America and His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese on Monday, January 4, 2010.

Metropolitan Philip hosted the OCA Metropolitan, who was accompanied by Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky, OCA director of external affairs and interchurch relations, at his residence at the AOCA's Englewood headquarters.

Among the many topics discussed was the pivotal historical role played by Saint Vladimir's Seminary, Crestwood, NY, in the growth of Orthodox Christianity in North America. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining the seminary's health and vibrancy, the hierarchs agreed in principle to pursue opportunities to support Saint Vladimir's in ways that would enhance its standing while ensuring that it remains a world-class educational institution. That is, "Why not start sending your seminarians to St. Vladimir's again?"

Also discussed were plans for the convocation of the Episcopal Assembly in North America. Slated to be held in mid-2010 and blessed by the Mother Churches in response to the series of meetings recently held in Chambesy, Geneva-Switzerland, the assembly will bring together all canonical Orthodox bishops in North America. Metropolitans Jonah and Philip agreed in principle that the two hierarchs will cooperate to ensure that the meetings produce much fruit in the best interests of the Orthodox Church on this continent and her faithful.