On Monday, November 8, 2021, the 17th Annual Session of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of Austria was held, at the premises of the Holy Metropolis of Austria in Vienna.
Bishop Andrej of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Seraphim of the Romanian Orthodox Church, as well as representatives of the other Churches and Communities met under the chairmanship of Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria.
The Orthodox Bishops at the 17th Synod discussed their various pastoral concerns, the complications and challenges that have arisen and continue to arise due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the precautionary measures.
The two Special Education Inspectors Mag. Branislav Djukarić and Mag. Pashalis Archimandritis informed the members of the Assembly about the developments related to the Course of Religious Studies, especially about the recent introduction in the Schools of the course of Ethics. Then Fr. Ioan Moga informed the attendees about the course of the talks regarding the planned establishment of a Department of Religious Pedagogy. This was followed by a briefing on the pastoral care of the prisoners by Protopresbyter P. Alexander Lapin as well as discussions on the preparation of the next Pan-Orthodox Youth Meeting next year. Bishop Andrej also outlined in detail the numerous activities in the field of ecumenical relations and underlined the extremely positive and fraternal atmosphere that prevails in them. Last but not least, an important matter of the talks of the 17th Synod of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of Austria was the current concern for climate change, the protection of the environment, and the position of the Orthodox on the subject.
Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria expressed his joy both for the fact that the Synod was given the opportunity to take place after a long break and for the fruitful cooperation, which took place in a fraternal spirit.