First-ever US assembly of EP monastics held

(GOARCH) - Archbishop Elpidophoros of America today convened the first ever Monastic Assembly in the United States to promote the value and importance of monasticism in our Orthodox Christian tradition and the spiritual life of the faithful. The abbots and abbesses of 18 monasteries are attending the Assembly, which is taking place at the Holy Monastery of Saint Nektarios in Roscoe, NY.‬

Hierarchs in attendance included the following members of the Holy Eparchial Synod: Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, and Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, the Holy Eparchial Synod’s Chief Secretary who was assigned coordination of the Assembly. Their Graces Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos and Bishop Ierotheos of Efkarpia are also in attendance. The Assembly will conclude tomorrow with the celebration of the Archieratical Divine Liturgy.

Comments

  1. MenasSeptember 22, 2019 at 1:34 PM

    Really curious to see how this turns out since the GOARCH monasteries (mostly Athonite founded Elder Ephrem), are more conservative than GOARCH overall and have been at odds with them over the years

    ReplyDelete
  2. John (Ad Orientem)September 22, 2019 at 3:45 PM

    Some good news from N. America for a change.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Matvey CassSeptember 23, 2019 at 12:37 AM

    What is the purpose of such a meeting? I don't recall having read about similar gatherings of the heads of North American monasteries inn other jurisdictions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Byzantine, TXSeptember 23, 2019 at 5:52 AM

      The OCA did it a few years back. There’s a longer article on what topics they covered that I’ll post later.

      Delete
    2. Matvey CassSeptember 23, 2019 at 9:31 AM

      Thank you, Father!

      Delete
  4. MikailSeptember 23, 2019 at 8:46 AM

    The whole thing is rather curious... and it looks like there will be a synaxis every year. I am concerned that it is a way for the Archbishop (through the CP) to attempt to "reign in" and/or control these monasteries. Time will tell.

    ReplyDelete

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