Marriage and the Moral Crisis in our Nation

Recently, the public discussion about marriage and about the propriety of its redefinition has once again become prominent. It is a discussion that is certain to continue for a long time yet. In light of this, the Assembly reaffirms the ancient and unchanging teaching of the Church and invites the faithful to read the important statement below, issued by SCOBA in 2003 and as relevant and binding today as when first published.

Committee Chairmen to Meet in May

Since much of the work of the Assembly of Bishops falls within the purview of its thirteen committees, the success of these committees is essential for the success of the Assembly as a whole. Therefore, the Secretariat?s Coordinator for Committees, Bishop Maxim, is organizing a face-to-face meeting of the Assembly?s thirteen committee chairmen, scheduled to meet on May 30. The chairmen will gather for the day at the Metropolia Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, where they will be hosted by Archbishop Antony, who currently serves as the Assembly?s Treasurer and the chairman of the Committee for Financial Affairs.

Bishop Alexander (Golitzin) Consecrated by Orthodox Church in America

A new bishop was consecrated this past Saturday, May 5th, and joins the Assembly: Bishop Alexander (Golitzin), who was made the bishop of Toledo and the Bulgarian Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America.

Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday is May 20

We, the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Bishops, are by the grace of God blessed to designate the Sixth Sunday of Pascha, which this year falls on May 20, as Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday. We embrace the diakonia of prison ministry in keeping with the example of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, Who in His earthly ministry preached His message of love and forgiveness to all sinners, even consorting with publicans and harlots, and saying that when we visit people who are in prison, we are visiting Him (Matthew 25:36).

Requesting the Immediate Release of Archbishop Jovan

On February 21, Archbishop Demetrios, Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, sent a letter to the US Secretary of State, Ms. Hillary Clinton, requesting the immediate release of Jovan, the Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje, who has been imprisoned under false accusations by the schismatic organization in F.Y.R. Macedonia.

Committee for Pastoral Practice 2011 Annual Report

Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops Holds Meeting in Toronto

On March 29, 2012, the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops had a meeting at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto. On the agenda were the reports of the dialogue with the Catholic Bishops, pastoral, canonical and liturgical issues, a Directory of all Canonical Orthodox Hierarchs, jurisdictions and parishes. It was discussed the update on the petition addressed to the Ecumenical Patriarchate to approve the constituency of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of Canada. There were also discussed plans for joint-ministry and fraternal cooperation in the future. An important topic was the discussion of the situation of persecuted Christians in the World and the position of the Orthodox in Canada.

Holy Pascha 2012

Beloved and Christ-loving Clergy, God-fearing Monastics and Pious Laity of the Holy Church in North and Central America: We greet you with a holy kiss in the Name of the Resurrected Theanthropos Jesus Christ, and, together with you and Orthodox Christians throughout the world, we joyfully proclaim that Christ is risen!

Interview with Bishop Matthias of the Orthodox Church In America

The latest interview as part of our series of "Conversations with our Bishops" is now available for you to hear online or download. Bishop Matthias of the Orthodox Church In America offers his reflections on the Assembly.

Committee for Canonical Regional Planning 2011 Annual Report

Read the latest annual report from the Committee for Canonical Regional Planning which is charged with formulating a proposal for a plan to organize all the Orthodox faithful of every jurisdiction in the Region on a canonical basis.

Condolences on the occasion of the Death of Pope Shenouda III

On March 19, Archbishop Demetrios, the Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, sent a letter of condolence on behalf of the Assembly to the Coptic Orthodox Church on the occasion of the death of their reigning hierarch, Pope Shenouda III, who fell asleep on March 17. The text of the letter follows

Five Facts About the Orthodox Church in the United States

Assembly of Bishops Research Coordinator Alexei Krindatch has released a new 40-page report titled, Five Interesting Facts About Orthodox Church Geography and Demography in the United States.

Annual Reports from Committees for Youth, Financial Affairs

Annual reports are available online from the Committee for Youth and the Committee for Financial Affairs.

Committee for Youth 2011 Annual Report

The 2011 Annual Report of the Committee for Youth.

Committee for Financial Affairs 2011 Annual Report

The annual report for 2011 of the Committee for Financial Affairs.

The Sunday of Orthodoxy 2012

On this magnificent feast of the triumph of our Holy Orthodox Faith, we behold the icon of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Icon of the invisible God (Col. 1:15). Though no man has seen God at any time, the Only-Begotten Son, Who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him (Jn. 1:18). And in the living icons of our Lord Jesus Christ -- the Saints, Martyrs and Confessors of the Orthodox Faith, we behold those who, by their holy lives and oftentimes by their martyric deaths have exalted the truth of the Gospel for all the world to see. We, who are their spiritual descendants and heirs, are bound to confess their heroic and saintly deeds, which bear witness to the greatness of God and the power of faith.

Great Lent 2012

"Not only must we all pay attention to what we are eating, but we must also abstain from every sin, so that while the belly fasts, in the same way the tongue should also fast. In other words, we must abstain from slander, from lying, from vain talking, from mocking others, from anger and, in a word, from every sin which we commit with the tongue. In the same way, our eyes must also fast and not look at vain sights. Let us not be haughty with words and not look at anyone with rudeness and audacity. In the same way, if we are fasting, our fasting is pleasing to God when the five gates of our senses are well closed and preserve us pure and undefiled."

2012-2013 Scholarship Applications Available from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Applications for scholarships administered by the Chancellor

Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America: Year in Review

In today?s secular society, which is often filled with meaningless rhetoric, it is encouraging to report that the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America is progressing toward its stated goals.

Interview with Bishop Andonios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

The latest interview as part of our series of "Conversations with our Bishops" is now available for you to hear online or download. Bishop Andonios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America offers his reflections on the Assembly.