SOUTH CANAAN, PA [OCA Communications] — His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman chaired a special session of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America at Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery here on Friday, May 27, 2005.

Metropolitan Herman opened the session by reflecting on the centennial of the monastery.

“Throughout its hundred-year history, Saint Tikhon’s Monastery has born faithful witness to the Orthodox Faith and has nurtured the life in Christ not only among the monastics who have labored here, but for all Orthodox Christians throughout North America,” Metropolitan Herman stated. “We are grateful to God for the fidelity of the monastic community and its benefactors. Through our celebration this weekend, we join not only in giving thanks for the past, but also in asking the Lord to continue to bless the monastery and, through it, to bless all of Christ’s Flock n North America.”

Heading the agenda was the canonical election of His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of South Canaan as ruling bishop of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. It was also decided that a special assembly of the Diocese of New England would be convened during the 14th All-American Council in Toronto July 17-22, 2005, to deliberate on its need for a ruling bishop.

Members of the Holy Synod also discussed the request of His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate for an auxiliary bishop and reviewed the minutes of the Episcopate Council, which nominated the Priestmonk Joseph [Morris]. Members of the Holy Synod decided to initiate the normal process for examining the candidate for the episopcacy.

His Grace, Bishop Nikolai of Sitka, Anchorage, and Alaska and Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick announced that plans for the August 2005 pilgrimage to Alaska marking the 35th anniversary of glorification of Saint Herman have been finalized. His Eminence, Archbishop Leo of Kuopio and All Finland will participate. It was also reported that plans also have been finalized for the visitation of the Sitka Icon of the Mother of God to the lower 48 states in the fall of 2005.

It was also announced that His Holiness, Patriarch-Catholicos Ilia of Georgia, will make an official visit to the Orthodox Church in America in October.

In other matters, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops

  heard a report from the Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, secretary of the Department of External Affairs, on recent developments in world Orthodoxy.

  reviewed final plans for the 14th All-American Council and discussed the various aspects of the Council theme.

  accepted the fair share resolution prepared by the Very Rev. John Dresko, chairman of the Department of Stewardship, for presentation at the Council.

Click here for photos of the Holy Synod of Bishops special session.