OCA Holy Synod of Bishops issues statements at conclusion of 2009 Spring Session

“With gratitude to God for his service and with profound respect, although regretting his absence from our midst, the Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America accepts the request for retirement of His Eminence DMITRI, Archbishop of Dallas and the South, effective 31 March, 2009. It is the prayer of the Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America that the Lord will grant many years to His Eminence, Archbishop DMITRI. In retirement, his title will be ‘Former Archbishop of Dallas and the South.'”

“The Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America, meeting at the OCA Chancery in Oyster Bay Cove, NY, March 31, 2009, declares the episcopal See of Dallas vacant and resolves that His Beatitude, JONAH, Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, be Locum tenens of the Diocese of the South. In accordance with canonical order and accepted liturgical practice, His Beatitude is to be commemorated as ‘Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of the South’ in the appropriate places of the divine services.”

“The Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America, meeting at the OCA Chancery in Oyster Bay Cove, NY, April 2, 2009, has elected Archimandrite Melchisedek (Pleska), as Bishop of Pittsburgh and the Diocese of Western Pennsylvania.”

“The Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America, meeting at the OCA Chancery in Oyster Bay Cove, NY, April 2, 2009, has elected Archimandrite Irinee (Rochon), as Bishop of Quebec City, Auxiliary to His Eminence, Archbishop SERAPHIM.”

“The Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America, meeting at the OCA Chancery in Oyster Bay Cove, NY, April 2, 2009, has received Bishop SERAPHIM (Sigrist) as retired Bishop of The Orthodox Church in America with title ‘Former Bishop of Sendai.'”

Information on the consecration of Bishop-elect Melchizedek and his installation as Bishop of Pittsburgh, and the consecration of Bishop-elect Irenee will be posted as it becomes available.

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