Archdiocesan Council - Spring Session meeting
The spring session of the Archdiocesan Council of the Archdiocese of Canada, the Orthodox Church in America was held at Annunciation/St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Ottawa, ON on March 12-13, 2015.
After an opening Moleben at Annunciation St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Ottawa, ON, His Grace Irénée, Bishop of Ottawa and the Archdiocese of Canada opened a first Archdiocesan Council meeting from the time of His Enthronement as a Ruling Bishop of the Archdiocese of Canada. His Grace delivered the opening address, in which he reflected on the future life of the Archdiocese of Canada and its spiritual growth and development.
Vladyka thanked officers and Archdiocesan Council members for their work and specially to Mr. Nikita Lopoukhine for his labours as Treasurer of the Archdiocese of Canada for over 30 years. "I thank you for your continued devotion and care for our beloved Archdiocese. As we set our course for this new year, we are faced with difficult, but not unsurmountable tasks. As you know, our veteran Treasurer, Nikita Lopoukhine is retiring after over 30 years of loyal services to the Archdiocese of Canada. I have never known the Archdiocese without him... May God grant him the strength and perseverance that Nikita has shown in the past."
Reports were presented by the Archdiocesan officers. Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk, Chancellor, reflected on the changes that Archdiocese of Canada is living through and it effect on our Pastoral and Administrative life.
Archpriest Nazari Polataiko reported in depth on the scope of his activities for the past period. Fr. Nazari also spoke about plans for the future work of Archdiocesan committees and various matters related to Administrative aspect of the Archdiocesan operation, parish reports, communication, insurance, property management, AVAC, Inter-Church relations, his recent visitations and other.
As always, a significant portion of the meeting was devoted to reviewing the proposed budget for 2015.
Fr. Geoffrey Ready reported on his work with the Archdiocesan website and future projects, which include an upgrade of the website in the future.
The Archdiocesan Council’s various committees offered reports on their recent activities. Among the highlights was the report of Archpriest Phillip Eriksson on his work for establishment of the Archdiocesan Clergy Pension Plan.
Council members also reviewed proposed revisions to the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America, slated to be presented at the AAC.
On Friday morning, March 13, the Divine Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts was celebrated. All members of the Archdiocesan Council were able to partake of the Holy Eucharist, and after a small breakfast, the meeting was continued.
Minutes and reports from the Archdiocesan Council session will be posted on the Archdiocesan website upon their approval.