The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America convened in Denver, Colorado from November 6-8, 2025, for the 14th meeting since its formation. Prior to the official events, the Executive Committee met to review the agenda items and conduct routine business.
On Thursday, November 6th, the community of Saint Luke Antiochian Orthodox Church in Erie, Colorado hosted Vespers and a reception. Metropolitan Saba presided over the Vespers attended by more than four hundred faithful from the surrounding area. During the reception, attendees were entertained by the ‘Kolo Rado’ and ‘Fotia’ dance troupes from Saint John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church and the Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Metropolis Cathedral, respectively.
Testimonies from the Assembly’s six agencies – International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), Orthodox Christian Prison Ministries (OCPM), Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), Orthodox Volunteer Corps (OVC), and Orthodox Youth and Young Adult Ministries (OYM) – were read by local volunteers and intermingled with performances. The Assembly’s Director of Inter-Parish Associations, Spyridoula Fotinis, was the Master of Ceremonies.
On Friday, November 7th, the Hierarchs met and were hosted by Metropolitan Constantine at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver to hear reports and proposals from the Assembly’s committees and ministries as well as to conduct regular business. The Members of the Assembly once again expressed sorrow for the absence of their Brother Hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church in America and sincerely encourage their return to participate in future Assemblies.
Commenting on the value and necessity of the Assembly of Bishops, Archbishop Elpidophoros, Chairman of the Assembly, stated in his opening remarks, ‘there have been unforeseen and unanticipated benefits to our Holy Church from all the activities taking place under the aegis of the Assembly … the networks created by our Assembly ministries are the building blocks, the interstitial tissue necessary to provide us with a robust resiliency and flexibility, as we face the inevitable augmentation in our communities occasioned by the arrival of so many newcomers.’
After the initial business and passing of the 2026 budget, the Assembly heard updates from the Assembly’s ministries: Inter-Parish Associations, Mental Health Ministries, and Communications and Technology Initiative. Six new Inter-Parish Associations were established in 2025. Over 22,000 individuals have used the Directory of Orthodox Christian Mental Health Professionals.
The Assembly of Bishops mobile app has been updated and enhanced with a new name (Koinonia: Life in Christ) and an ‘Orthodox Events Finder’ feature coming soon. The Sunday of Orthodoxy 2025 was the first ever Assembly of Bishops Sunday.
Committee projects and motions were presented, including: updates on the many Amicus Briefs put forth by the Legal Committee with the Assembly as signatory; the affirmation by the Committee for Agencies and Affiliated Ministries of the annual reviews; the clean biennial audit for 2023-2024 presented by the Finance Committee; and the continued engagement with the Roman Catholic Church through the Ecumenical Committee, as well as with the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches.
The Liturgy Committee updated the members on progress made by the sign language working group and presented new prayers and services for instances of miscarriage or stillbirth. Staying true to their commitment in their 2022 statement “On the Sacredness of Human Life and its Untimely Termination” to ‘continue to provide new rituals and ways to address these circumstances, which include prayers of mourning, compassion, and healing,’ the Assembly approved the new services for implementation by each jurisdiction, following the directives or decision of its respective Mother Church as applicable.
The main theme of the convocation was on the influx of converts and a common strategy for reception into the Orthodox Church, presented by Metropolitan Saba, Vice-Chairman of the Assembly. His Eminence stated, ‘the growth of the conversion movement, for various reasons, contributed to making Orthodoxy a known religion in America; indeed, it is now witnessing accelerated growth–some have even called it a flood … ‘behold, now is the acceptable time’ (2 Cor. 6:2) says St. Paul.
Let us not squander this moment of grace.’ Following a spirited and productive conversation, the Assembly tasked the Theological Education Committee with creating a working group to come up with common and agreed content for catechesis to be presented for approval at a future meeting.
The Hierarchs also addressed current global issues. Since its last convening, the atrocities unfolding in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to bring profound suffering and sorrow. The Assembly called for an immediate cessation of hostilities wherever war persists and urges all to pray that peace and reason may prevail in these afflicted regions.
The Hierarchs encourage the Faithful to offer assistance, both through charitable giving and through prayer for those in need. They also acknowledged with gratitude the ongoing efforts of the current Administration, under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, to promote peace in regions where Orthodox Christians face particular danger – especially in the Middle East.
The Assembly also raised awareness of the persecution of Christians and vulnerable people worldwide. With hearts full of gratitude for every sign of peace, the Assembly remains steadfast in prayer and united in its commitment to solidarity, peace and justice.
The Assembly’s Chairman, Archbishop Elpidophoros, called attention to the 1700th anniversary of the convening of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, together with his brother Patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, will be joined by Pope Leo XIV to commemorate this milestone in Christian history.
Commemorating this important anniversary, the representatives of the ancient pentarchy will gather at the site of the Council for an event of great significance then travel to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the patronal feast of St. Andrew. Hierarchs prayed for a successful meeting and celebration of this milestone of Christianity.
The faithful should ensure that before participating in services at monasteries, such monasteries are canonical and approved by their respective Hierarchs. For example, the monasteries (formerly of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church in North America) of ‘Saint Nina’ (Union Bridge, Maryland), ‘Saint Iakovos the ‘New Studion’’ (Piedmont, Oklahoma), and ‘The Monastery of the Holy Spirit’ (Union Bridge Maryland), as well as ‘The Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Monastery’ (Clinton, Michigan) (formerly of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America [OCA]) fall outside of such approvals.
On Saturday, November 8th, Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in Greenwood Village, Colorado hosted the Assembly for the concelebration of the Divine Liturgy. Archbishop Elpidophoros presided with thirteen Hierarchs, four Priests, and four Deacons serving. In his sermon, Archbishop Maxim said, ‘by honoring the Angels and Archangels today we receive a message and send out a message to the entire world that the existence of the invisible powers is a fulfillment or completion of the entire image of this beautiful creation.’
After the Divine Liturgy, the newly established Medal of Saint Theodora was awarded to Anne Mackoul for her dedicated service to Orthodox Christian Unity. Judge E. Ray Lanier, the other Medal of Saint Theodora recipient in abstention, was honored via Zoom during the proceedings of the Assembly.
The next Assembly meetings will take place October 3-6, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the 2027 Assembly will meet October 23-27 in Chicago, Illinois.
