wfn.org | [GOAA] Synod and Heads of 19 Monasteries Meet for First Time

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
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Email: communications@goarch.org

For Immediate Release
May 18, 2005

Contact:  Nikki Stephanopoulos

MEMBERS OF EPARCHIAL SYNOD
AND HEADS OF 19 MONASTERIES HOLD FIRST MEETING

New York - On Wednesday, May, May 11, 2005, on the occasion of the recent
meeting of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America, the hierarchs of the Synod, under the chairmanship of Archbishop
Demetrios, had the opportunity to meet for the first time, as a body, with
the Abbots and Abbesses of the nineteen monasteries functioning presently
under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese.

The main purpose of the gathering was threefold:  a)  to meet for the first
time with the Abbots and Abbesses of our Monasteries, b)  to exchange views
and address questions about the development of the monastic life in the
United States, and c)  to  distribute the recently approved General
Regulations for the Founding and Operation of a Holy Monastery of the Holy
Archdiocese of America.

After a preparation for more than three years, the above Regulations were
sent by the Eparchial Synod to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, where they were
reviewed and approved for implementation.

The Regulations, published in a 20 page booklet contain seventeen Articles
formulated to help guide and regulate the life of the monastic communities,
enabling them to be true centers of authentic Orthodox spirituality for all
who choose to follow the monastic way of life.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios welcomed the Abbots and Abbesses to the
historic first gathering.  Each Hierarch offered brief remarks, and several
Abbots and Abbesses expressed gratitude for this opportunity to meet with
the hierarchs and to voice their concerns.

According to statistics provided at the meeting, there are presently over
200 monks, nuns and novices at the 19 monasteries.  They are located in
seven of the Metropolises of the Archdiocese, and in sixteen states.

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