GARFIELD, NJ: October 9, 2017
Bishop Irenei of Sacramento Participates in a Meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA

From October 3-5, 2017, the eighth annual meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the USA took place, gathering this year in Garfield, NJ. Representing the Russian Orthodox Church at the year’s assembly were His Grace Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, and His Grace Bishop Irenei of Sacramento, Vicar of the Western American Diocese and Synodal Secretary for Inter-Orthodox Relations.

Chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, thirty-two hierarchs from across the various Orthodox jurisdictions met for three days for prayer and fellowship, and to discuss matters of common interest and concern in their labors for their flocks in the United States.

Central to this year’s discussions was the theme of youth, and the various works undertaken by the Church to ensure that her youth grow into her life as they mature, knowing always that, in the words of our Metropolitan Anastassy of blessed memory, "our children are not the future of our Church; the Church is the future of our children."

The hierarchs also discussed the activities undertaken by various inter-orthodox organizations functioning in the USA, as well as various matters relating to mission, college ministries, and aid for those in need — especially relevant given the series of disasters recently befalling the southern United States, Mexico (where the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia has a monastery in Mexico City that has been much affected by the recent earthquakes), and the broader Gulf area.