The Third Monastic Synaxis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America successfully completed its work.
This year’s Synaxis took place at the Holy Monastery of the Theotokos, the Life-Giving Spring (Zoodochos Pigi) in Fresno, California, from the 9th to the 11th October, 2023. The general theme of the Synaxis was the following: “Monasticism in Support of the Parish.”
Presentations were made by Archbishop Elpidophoros, the Very Rev. Archimandrite Paisios (Abbot of the Monastery of St. Anthony in Arizona), the Reverend Hieromonk Antipas (from the Iviron Monastery of Mount Athos) and the Very Rev. Archimandrite Gedeon Varitimos (Presiding Priest of the Community of Saints Constantine and Helen in Jackson Heights, New York). A warm welcome was provided by the Reverend Mother Superior Markella, Abbess of the Monastery hosting the Synaxis.
On October 10th, before the opening of the proceedings, a magnificent liturgy was celebrated in the Main Church (Katholikon) of the Monastery, presided by Archbishop Elpidophoros. Concelebrating in the liturgy were Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Bishops Ioannis of Phocaea and Athenagoras of Nazianzos, as well as the Very Rev. Abbots of the Archdiocese’s Monasteries in the United States. All the concelebrants later gathered behind the Altar of the Church at the tomb of the monastery’s founder, the late Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco, in whose memory they conducted a Trisagion Service for the repose of his blessed soul.
Bishop of Nazianzos updated the Synaxis on the saintly life and character of the late Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos, including the progression of the request the Holy Eparchial Synod forwarded to the Ecumenical Patriarchate with regards to his canonization.
Following elaborate discussions, it was decided that:
a) the Monastic Synaxis submit to the Archbishop and the Holy Eparchial Synod a complete dossier for the safe and effective reopening of the camps under the responsibility of the Monasteries;
b) the Synaxis submit to the Archbishop and the Holy Eparchial Synod a request for the establishment of a Mixed Committee to examine both the pertinent article of the Charter as well as the special regulations, within the framework of the ongoing revision process;
c) the next (and fourth) Monastic Synaxis be held, God-willing, within the context of the forthcoming Clergy-Laity Congress scheduled to take place in San Diego, California.
Source and photos: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
