This weekend, September 28 – October 1, 2024, His Eminence joined the hierarchs of the other canonical Orthodox jurisdictions serving the faithful in the United States. The Atlanta Inter-Parish Association graciously hosted the 29 Hierarchs with customary southern hospitality.

Formally established following the 4th Pre-Conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference, convoked in Chambésy, Switzerland (June 6-12, 2009), the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America continues the work of SCOBA, the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas, bring the clergy, monastics, and laity in America closer to Christ and to each other. The Assembly of Bishops preserves and contributes to the unity of the Orthodox Church in the United States of America by furthering her spiritual, theological, ecclesiological, canonical, educational, missionary, and philanthropic aims. Together, they work together to measurably enhance: Orthodox Christian Unity & Outreach, Common Orthodox Witness, Ministries & Initiatives, and Organizational Excellence.

They spent the weekend praying together, serving Vespers at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church and then Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation. During the weekday business sessions,  the Agencies of the Assembly – International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), Orthodox Volunteer Corps (OVC), Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), and Orthodox Youth and Young Adult Ministries (OYM) – presented updates on their respective ministries. Also, reports were given on the Assembly's direct ministries: Mental Health Ministries, Inter-Parish Associations, Accessibility Ministry, and the mobile app. Leads of theological schools and seminaries across the country presented on “Clerical Formation and Contemporary Challenges.” During their deliberations, the Hierarchs called to mind and lamented the immense loss of life and vast devastation in the wake of Hurricane “Helene,” reflected on and decried the escalation of violence that now threatens to embroil Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and the wider region, and  reiterated its “concern and profound sorrow for the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation as well as the ecclesiastical challenges in the country.” 

For more about the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the United States of America, visit their website, www.assemblyofbishops.org/.