« The second day of the Congress of Clergy and Laity of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA »

The second day of the XIV Congress of the Clergy and Laity of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States of America, October 1, 2019, began with a report by Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and Canada.

In his speech, the Archpastor presented actual statistics on the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the United States, conducted a comparative analysis of the changes that have occurred since the last Congress of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA in 2014, and spoke about the most significant events in the church life.

Vladyka informed the audience about the latest decisions by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, including the termination of Eucharistic communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople.  The meeting participants fully supported the position of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia  and the decision of the Holy Synod.  After his report, Bishop Matthew answered numerous questions from those present.

Treasurer Panagiotis Billis reported on the budget of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.  After discussion, his report was approved by the participants of the Congress.

 Reports were also made by:

 - Priest John Kazadoev, cleric of the Diocese of Sourozh, Rector of St. Nicholas Church in Galway and the diocesan community of St.Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow, in Castlebar, Republic of Ireland - “Christ and Me: A Search In Our Days”;

 - Archpriest Igor Tarasov, Rector of St. George Church in Bayside, New York - “Review of the rule for the Holy Communion”;

 - Joseph Trindahl - “Security of church facilities in view of the terrorist threat”;

 - Priest Stefan Kaznitsa, Rector of St.Peter and St.Paul Church in Passeisk - “Organization of parish administration in accordance with the Church canons”.

Archpriest Timothy Barna, Chairman of the Counting Committee, introduced to the participants of the Congress candidates to become members of the Episcopal Council nominated by the parishes.  Following the discussion of the candidatures, it was proposed to have a vote on them on the next day after the Liturgy.

The second day of the Conference has ended by the Vespers at St.Peter and St.Paul House Church.

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