Archpriest Alexander Garklavs to present at OCA Office of Pastoral Life’s June 2025 Synaxis Clergy online event
The Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life (OPL) announces that Archpriest Alexander Garklavs will deliver the keynote presentation at the June 2025 Synaxis Clergy online conference. The event will take place Tuesday, June 17, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Eastern time.
His presentation, titled The Autocephaly of the Orthodox Church in America and What It Means for Our Ministry, will invite participants to reflect on how the Church’s self-governing status continues to shape and inform the Orthodox Christian pastoral vocation in North America today.
Drawing on decades of priestly service and theological reflection, Father Alexander will guide attendees through a deeper exploration of the ecclesial realities of Orthodox Christian life in North America—encouraging both historical understanding and practical pastoral application.
About Father Alexander Garklavs
Father Alexander is widely respected for his many years of faithful ministry. He served as chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America from 2007 to 2011 and has written and lectured extensively on the history of Orthodoxy in North America, with a particular focus on the Tomos of Autocephaly.
Following his tenure as chancellor, he continued in parish ministry—most recently at Holy Trinity Church in Parma, OH — until retiring from active service. In retirement, he remains engaged in Church life, including serving as a regular facilitator for the OPL Synaxis program.
Conference Format
The Zoom-based Synaxis program will open at 1:30 PM for optional informal fellowship. Father Alexander’s keynote will begin at 2:00 PM Eastern.
Following the keynote, participants will join small breakout groups for deeper discussion and reflection. These 80-minute breakout sessions will follow the peer learning model, providing space for shared insight, pastoral dialogue, and mutual support among clergy.
At the conclusion of the breakout discussions, participants will reconvene as a full group to share key questions and takeaways before the Synaxis concludes.
Register to Participate
Whether you’ve attended Synaxis before or are considering your first session, all OCA clergy are warmly invited to register — and to extend the invitation to a fellow clergyman.
Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email with a personalized link to join the meeting. Please sign in using the same email address used during registration.
About the Synaxis Program
The Office of Pastoral Life’s Synaxis program hosts quarterly online gatherings that bring together OCA bishops, priests, and deacons for mutual support, learning, and prayer.
Each session features a guest speaker offering insight into pastoral life, along with meaningful small-group discussion. Through shared experiences of both joy and struggle, Synaxis fosters a spirit of brotherhood and reminds participants that no priest walks the path alone.
The Synaxis program is part of the Office of Pastoral Life’s broader portfolio of offerings, which are designed to meet the real and pressing needs of clergy and their families.
To learn more, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit opl.oca.org.