CHICAGO, IL [DOM] – The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, meeting under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, held the Regular Fall 2023 Session, this week at the historic Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL. The meetings began Tuesday morning and continued through Thursday evening.
After the opening service and initial meeting, the hierarchs gathered for the All Night Vigil on Tuesday evening for the feast of Archangel Michael and the Heavenly Host at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Priest Alexander Koranda, Cathedral Dean, Deacon Paul Garklavas, and Protodeacon Thomas Keith served the vigil.
The next morning, Wednesday, November 8, Divine Liturgy was served by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest and serving with His Eminence were Bishop Elect Benedict (Churchill), Priest Alexander Koranda, and Deacon Paul Garklavs. During the Little Entrance Fr. Benedict was awarded the Palitza and elevated to the rank of Archimandrite. Following the liturgy the Archbishop greeted the Metropolitan and the Holy Synod of Bishops.
At the conclusion of the day, and on the forty-fourth anniversary of her repose, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America proclaimed that Blessed Matushka Olga of Alaska is to be counted among the Saints. Until such time as her glorification is celebrated, Matushka Olga is to be remembered at all regularly scheduled Memorial Services and Litanies for the Departed celebrated in all our churches.
On Thursday, November 9, the Holy Synod heard various reports and continued their work before adjourning the Regular Fall Session.
