The 21st All American Council – July 14-18, 2025
Memories and Reflections by Archbishop Daniel
Beloved Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of the Midwest,
A little over a week ago, I returned to Chicago from the 21st All American Council (AAC) which was held in Phoenix, Arizona, July 14-18. I would like to share with you a few chosen reflections on this AAC, but want to begin by expressing my gratitude to Protodeacon Peter Ilchuk of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania and Council Manager who, with the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, did yet another wonderful job in this role by overseeing and supervising all the many details of arranging for this triennial Church-wide gathering and its many complicated aspects. Thank you, as well, to those who assisted him in making all the behind-the-scenes arrangements for yet another successful Council, in keeping with the past traditions and practices of the Orthodox Church in America.
I am also particularly grateful to our diocesan clergy and parish lay leaders who contributed their time and talents to the AAC in various capacities as well as to the work of our annual Diocesan Assembly, held on the Monday afternoon before the AAC was convened. Thanks also to those from the Diocesan Chancery, who helped to prepare us for a positive and productive Diocesan Assembly.
The week or so that I have been back in Chicago has also been quite busy and has provided more good news for our beloved Diocese of the Midwest. This includes our third annual Seminarians Retreat, held at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago. Thank you to Father Alexander Koranda for making the necessary arrangements and to all who assisted with this annual event. And thanks to the fourteen of our sixteen diocesan seminarians who were able to travel to Chicago. We are grateful to the Lord of the Harvest who is calling more of his disciples to dedicate themselves to pursuing theological education and pastoral formation so that, God willing, they may one day be called to the ordained ministry.
Last Friday, July 25, I traveled to Milwaukee to meet with those who are participating in the Saint Macrina Institute Diaconal Formation Program.
Reflections on the 64th Diocesan Assembly –
It has become the practice of many dioceses, including our own, for the diocesan assembly which takes place in the same year as the AAC to be held in conjunction with it. This is a fiscally responsible approach which includes some financial savings for the dioceses and the parishes and well for those who participate. The statutory purpose of all diocesan councils is basically administrative, i.e. diocesan councils fulfill the needs of the diocese as it has within its competency the election of members of the diocesan council, diocesan auditors, diocesan representatives to the Metropolitan Council of the OCA, and the review and approval of the annual diocesan budget. Also significant were the reports offered by the Deans of our deaneries and by the directors of our six diocesan departments. The business aspect of this year’s Diocesan Assembly provided a clear understanding of where the DOM stands in terms of its financial assets and a clear understanding of how these assets are being utilized within the Diocese for the support of its work and ministries. With all of you, I give thanks to the Lord for His many blessings upon the Diocese. The Lord has richly blessed our diocese with many human and financial resources. Let us continue to utilize these gifts for His glory!
The 21st All American Council
The highlight of the All-American Council and, indeed, of any church gathering, is the prayer which is shared by the participants. This is most fully experienced in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, of which there were three at this year’s AAC. On the evening of Monday, July 14, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided at the moleben for the “Opening of a Sacred Council.” His Beatitude, surrounded by the members of the Holy Synod and other bishops of our Church, led us in prayer, invoking the presence of the Holy Spirit and asking that the Lord guide us in our time together. His Beatitude then gave his official welcoming presentation to the gathered assembly.
On Tuesday morning, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by some of the stavropegial clergy, i.e., clergy who are directly under the omophor of the Metropolitan and serve in various roles throughout the Church. These include priests and deacons who minister as seminary officers, teachers, and chancery staff.
Following the Liturgy, the bishops were invited to breakfast with the clergy wives who were present for the AAC. This post-Liturgy time of fellowship is a usual custom at all AAC’s. However, this year it took on special significance because of the recent glorification of Saint Olga, herself a priest’s wife. Recalling Matushka Olga’s service to the Lord as the wife of a clergyman, our meal and fellowship allowed us to recognize the service of clergy wives throughout the OCA on many different levels. I recall here that the clergy wives of the OCA have generously provided the funds for the construction of Saint Olga’s reliquary, soon to be built in Kwethluk, AK.
The AAC plenary sessions, attended by clergy and lay delegates, observers, and special guests, have as their purpose what I have briefly outlined above for our diocesan assemblies, i.e. the plenary sessions do the administrative “work” of the OCA, according to the competencies provided in the OCA Statute. Please refer to the OCA website for more information about what took place during these six plenary sessions (oca.org).
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated on three occasions during the AAC, on those mornings of the full day sessions. On Wednesday morning, the Liturgy was celebrated by our OCA Chaplains, for the first time including not only our Military Chaplains but also our Institutional Chaplains. The homily on Wednesday morning was offered by Archpriest Herman Kincaid, our diocesan Chancellor and a Navy Reserve Chaplain. May the Lord bless and protect our military chaplains who serve our military men with love and dedication! And also, all those clergy and lay people who minister to those in hospitals, homes, and healthcare institutions.
To mark the 100th anniversary of the repose of Saint Tikhon, being commemorated throughout 2025, a special session was held to honor him. A presentation was given by Dr Scott Kenworthy, a member of our Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit parish in Cincinnatti, and author of the soon-to-be-available book: The People’s Patriarch. His excellent presentation was followed by a panel discussion which I had the honor to moderate. Members of the panel included our own Archpriest Paul Jannakos as well as Priest John Mikitish and retiring OCA Archivist, Alexis Liberovksy.
The greatest highlight of the 21st All American Council was the celebration of the Synodal Liturgy, the Liturgy concelebrated by His Beatitude, members of the Holy Synod and other bishops, and such clergy as Diocesan Chancellors, including our own. The “specialness” of this Synodal Liturgy was that it represented the Orthodox Church in its fullest expression- Primate, Bishops, Clergy, Monastics, and Lay Faithful- gathered at the Holy Altar and giving thanks to God for His many mercies. At this Liturgy, the AAC rejoiced in celebrating the recent canonization of Saint Olga of Alaksa. This was a great focus of this Liturgy; a portion of Matushka Olga’s holy relics, her icon, and a new icon of All Saints of North America, in which Matushka’s image was officially portrayed for the first time – Glorifying the Life and Witness of Saint Olga of Alaska
At every AAC, there is also a parallel youth program. The 190+ youth who were in Phoenix spent time together in fellowship, working on art projects, learning more about the Orthodox Faith and, this year, learning more about tour recently glorified Saint Olga. The youth and young adult participants also brunch with His Beatitude and all the bishops. I was happy to be seated with a group of rambunctious eleven-year-olds and their counselor/advisor, Melanie Ringa, former OCA Treasurer. It was great fun to answer their questions and watch their very energetic interactions (As the result of “Let’s see how much tabasco sauce we can drink” contest, I ended up with more food on me than in me.)
As with all AAC’s, the last evening of the Council was celebrated with a formal banquet. The banquet began with the singing of the three national anthems of the nations in which the OCA is established: Mexico, Canada, and the United States. During the banquet, the AAC youth treated us to a beautiful and lively presentation that combined narration, the singing of liturgical texts, and a meaningful art and performance presentation which reflected the missionary efforts of the OCA, beginning with Alaska and making its way to the Lower 48. Well done, AAC Youth! Basil Kochan, President of the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America and member and choir director at Saint Nicholas Church, Mogadore, OH, also presented me with a $10,000.00 check raised by the FOCA to assist with the restoration of Saint Theodosius Cathedral, Cleveland. Many thanks to the FOCA for this thoughtful gift- and for all you always do to assist the clergy, seminarians, parishes, and missions of our Church.
Friday morning saw the final plenary session of the 21st AAC, the installation of new officers, and a final traveler’s blessing for those who would be returning to their homes and parishes.
The outside heat in Phoenix was certainly bearable, especially considering the goodwill, fellowship, and spirit of prayer and celebration that we shared in the air-conditioned buildings of the Council site. We gathered to work for the advancement of the Gospel within the context of good order in the Church. And this purpose was accomplished and fulfilled. Under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this triennial gathering reflected that ongoing hope and desire throughout the Orthodox Church in America to evangelize all North America. “Behold how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1).
These are a few of my memories and thoughts concerning the 21st All American Council of the Orthodox Church in America. For more information, photos, and videos, please direct yourself to the OCA’s website, oca.org.
