Oct 12-13, 2012 Fall session of the Archdiocesan Council

The members of the Archdiocesan Council of the Archdiocese of Canada of The Orthodox Church in America held their Fall session at the Archdiocesan Office in Ottawa, ON, Friday through Saturday, October 12-13, 2012.
The meeting was chaired by His Grace, Bishop Irénée, the Administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada.
According to Protodeacon Nazari Polataiko, Secretary of the Archdiocese of Canada, the following were among the highlights of the meeting:
On Friday, October 12, after a moleben at the Annunciation Cathedral, and a breakfast prepared by the cathedral volunteers, the members of the Archdiocesan Council for the first time gathered for our bi-annual meeting at the newly purchased and renovated Archdiocesan Office in Ottawa.

• The first session was opened by Bishop Irénée. He then greeted Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach) and Reader John Hadjinicolaou on the occasion of their 60th birthday. His Grace awarded them each with an Archdiocesan Silver Gramota and a gift of an icon of St. Vladimir of Kyiv as a memento.
In his opening remarks, Bishop Irénée focussed on the recent events surrounding the resignation of Metropolitan Jonah and the forthcoming 17th All-American Assembly. His Grace informed the members of the Archdiocesan Council of his archpastoral activity and parish visitations.
• Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach), the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Canada, in his report provided a summary of his work and presented an overview on the work of the Metropolitan Council. Archimandrite Alexander informed members of the council of his possible assignment as the Representative of the Primate of the OCA to the Patriarch of Moscow, and as Dean and Rector of the Representation Church of St. Catherine in Moscow. Archimandrite Alexander thanked His Grace and all the members of the council for their work, help and constant prayers.

• Protodeacon Nazari Polataiko, the Secretary of the Archdiocese of Canada and Episcopal Secretary, presented a report on his work, his work-related activities and travels. Father Nazari emphasized the importance of the development of appropriate educational programs in our respective parishes on the “Policies, Standards, and Procedures on Sexual Misconduct” in order to prevent sexual misconduct of any kind. He spoke at length about matters concerning the development of the new office facility, about correspondence, about the archives, about property management, about theological education, about the AVAC, and about keeping the web-site current.
Father Nazari also informed the council about the Clergy Extended Health Plan updates and other ongoing issues.

• Mr. Nikita Lopoukhine, the Treasurer of the Archdiocese of Canada,
presented his financial report. There was an extensive discussion
about parish contributions and proper stewardship.

• The Regional Deans and Lay Representatives presented their
reports. There was an extensive discussion about mission development and about the enabling of a correct spiritual and financial foundation, and also a healthy functioning of each mission.

• The Chair of the Organizing Committee of the Archdiocesan
Assembly, Mary Ann Lopoukhine, and Protodeacon Nazari
Polataiko presented two proposals for hosting the 2013 Archdiocesan Assembly. After a lengthy discussion the Archdiocesan Council approved the plan to hold the next Archdiocesan Assembly from August 21 through 25 in Ottawa, Ontario, at the Hôtel Château Cartier and Conference Centre in Gatineau.

• After supper, the members of the council divided into two units to
discuss the programming, communication, administrative and financial concerns.

On Saturday, October 13, the council heard the recommendations from the two units and developed a number of Action Points.

After adjourning, the members of the council had a discussion on the proper ways to divide responsibilities between the archdiocesan administration and the regional deaneries. They also discussed more efficient ways to use archdiocesan assets.

The approved minutes of the spring meeting of the Archdiocesan Council posted at http://www.orthodoxcanada.info/content/2012-oct-12-13-ottawa.