UOC of the USA Holds Annual Clergy Conference
UOC of the USA Holds Annual Clergy Conference

Духовенство УПЦ США Взяло Участь у Річній Конференції Духовенства

On Saturday October 24th, at 11am EST the 86 clergymen of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America gathered together, via Zoom, for their Annual Clergy Conference.

The conference was initiated by His Eminence Metropolitan ANTONY serving a moleben to Our Lord Jesus Christ and prayers for the gathered clergy and the following meeting.

Following the moleben, His Eminence Archbishop DANIEL introduced His Eminence Archbishop JOB of Telmessos who is the permanent representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the World Council of Churches and the Dean of the Institute for Orthodox Theology Higher Studies at Chambésy, Switzerland.

Archbishop JOB presented to the gathering on three interrelated issues which arise for the clergy of our church. Is it proper to pray with non-Orthodox Christians? How do we receive non-Orthodox Christians into the Orthodox Church? And what are the limitations of mixed marriages, Orthodox with non-Orthodox? The common thread which ran through these questions and their answers, was the fact that although Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations are separated from the Orthodox Church, they have not officially be deemed heretical or anathematized by a Church Council, only in the polemical writings of individuals. Faith in and adherence to the dogma of the Holy Trinity is common ground we can work from with people in these heterodox groups. After his presentation, Archbishop JOB then answered the questions of the gathered clergy.

His Eminence Metropolitan ANTONY announced that the Church of Cyprus had, that morning, recognized the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

Following that, Natalie Kapeluck-Nixon, director of the Consistory Office and Youth Adult Ministry for the UOC of USA presented. She spoke of the needs of the youth in our churches, the need for connection and the struggles they are having with the current restrictions under the Covid-19 pandemic. She stressed the need for face-to-face meetings whenever possible, and the use of electronic media when it is not. Our children need their priests and spiritual fathers to be accessible to them, especially in these trying times.

The hierarchs then announced the new clergy positions in UOC of USA.

            Father Yurii Bobko at Saint Peter and Paul Parish in Lyndora, PA

            Father Samuel Seamans at Holy Apostle Thomas Mission in Mountain Home, AR

            Father Svitoslav Hot at Holy Ascension Parish in Maplewood, NJ

            Father Stepan Bilogan at Saints Peter and Paul Mission in West Islip, NY

            Deacon Theodore Brinegar at Saint George Mission in Alamogordo, NM

The hierarchs then reiterated their instructions on inclusions in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. During the litany of fervent supplication, the two petitions for youth, found on page 219, should be inserted and read. After the litany of fervent supplication, the prayer during the Corona Virus pandemic should be read.

The conference ended with prayer and a blessing by His Eminence Metropolitan ANTONY for the health and well-being, physical and spiritual, of all of the clergy and people of the UOC of USA.

UOC of the USA Holds Annual Clergy Conference

Photos by Fr. Vasyl Pasakas

Text by Fr. Theophan Mackey

(23 images)


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Mailing Address
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
P.O. Box 495
South Bound Brook, NJ 08880

Offices:
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
Metropolia Center
135 Davidson Avenue
Somerset, NJ 08873