The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America met for its Regular Fall 2026 Session from November 2–4, 2026, at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY, under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon.

The session opened on Monday, November 2, with a Molieben in Three Hierarchs Chapel, and was attended by members of the Seminary community. His Beatitude offered introductory remarks before the hierarchs convened for the first meeting of the Fall Session. His Beatitude thanked the seminary for hosting the Holy Synod and stated:

“We meet under the protection of three hierarchs who knew well what it means to bear responsibility for the Church: Basil, the shepherd and builder; Gregory, the theologian; and John, the preacher of the golden mouth. Each of them was formed for that ministry long before he was called to it, through years of prayer, study, and service. That is why it is fitting that we meet here, in a house of formation. You, our seminarians, are the future clergy of this Church, and in a real sense the work of the Holy Synod this week is undertaken for your sake, and for the sake of those whom you will one day serve.”

Read full text of His Beatitude’s statement

During the first meeting, the Holy Synod canonically elected His Grace Bishop Gerasim (Eliel) as Bishop of Dallas and the South. His Grace had been nominated by the clergy and lay delegates of the Diocese of the South at a Special Nominating Assembly held on July 24, 2026. His enthronement is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 14, at St. Seraphim Cathedral in Dallas, TX.

The Holy Synod then received the Report of the Metropolitan and addressed a number of Synodal and episcopal matters, including the work of Synodal Offices and Commissions.

The hierarchs also reviewed the work of the special commission on Medical Assistance in Dying and Assisted Suicide. During the session, the Holy Synod approved a synodal statement entitled “A Christian Ending to Our Life,” addressing assisted suicide, euthanasia, and the care of those approaching death. The statement reaffirms the Church’s teaching on the sacredness of human life and offers pastoral guidance to the faithful, clergy, healthcare professionals, families, and caregivers.

The first day continued with discussion of internal Church matters, including an update on the relocation of the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America and matters concerning the canonical assignment of retired clergy. The Holy Synod also received reports concerning External Affairs, including developments in world Orthodoxy, recent travels, and the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America.

On Tuesday, November 3, the Holy Synod received reports from Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, Archpriest David Bozeman, Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America, and Mr. Andrew Smith, Treasurer of the Orthodox Church in America. The Treasurer’s report included a financial report and the 2027 budget.

The hierarchs then received a report on the work of the Departments of the Orthodox Church in America. During the session, the Holy Synod confirmed the recipients of the 2027 Church Planting Grants and the inaugural Growing Spaces Grants, previously approved by the Metropolitan Council at its Regular Fall 2026 Session.

The Holy Synod also heard reports from the Pension Board and from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Archpriest Nicholas Solak also presented a report on the work of the Office of Pastoral Life. The day concluded with a report concerning the Representation Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr in Moscow.

On Wednesday, November 4, the members of the Holy Synod gathered for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, presided by His Grace Bishop Gerasim, at St. Vladimir’s Seminary before resuming their meetings.

The Holy Synod received a report from the Board of Theological Education, followed by the Legal Report and consideration of clergy matters. The hierarchs also received reports concerning the Office for Review of Sexual Misconduct Allegations and the Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory Committee.

The Regular Fall 2026 Session concluded on Wednesday afternoon. That evening, the members of the Holy Synod joined the St. Vladimir’s Seminary Board of Trustees for dinner.

The 2027 Desk Calendar of the Orthodox Church in America is currently in print and is now available in PDF format.

As in previous years, all clergy—active and retired—as well as clergy widows will receive a complimentary copy by mail within the coming three weeks. Additional copies may be requested for a $20.00 donation per unit to help offset the costs of printing and shipping. To order, please contact yearbook@oca.org.

The calendar includes ample space for daily notations and memos, along with a comprehensive directory of OCA ministries, departments, boards, commissions, diocesan chanceries, and seminaries. Key liturgical commemorations and significant historical dates for the year are also noted.

The Desk Calendar does not include diocesan and most national events, such as diocesan assemblies or seminary commencements. These dates are available on the web calendar found on the homepage of oca.org.

The 2027 Desk Calendar commemorates the 50th anniversary of the glorification of Saint Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, Enlightener of the Aleuts and Apostle to America, who was glorified by the Orthodox Church in 1977. The cover features the vita icon of Saint Innocent surrounded by scenes from his life and missionary labors.

Throughout the calendar, readers will find selections from the writings and teachings of Saint Innocent, including passages from his Indication of the Pathway into the Kingdom of Heaven, as well as reflections on his missionary calling and pastoral ministry. These selections invite the faithful to draw inspiration from his life of prayer, sacrifice, and dedication to proclaiming the Gospel, and to reflect on the continuing missionary calling of the Orthodox Church in America.

The grants were approved by the Metropolitan Council during its Fall 2026 Session, held October 14–15, and subsequently confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops at its Fall Session.

2027 Church Planting Grants

Four missions have been approved to receive Church Planting Grants in 2027:

First-year grants:

• St. Stephen Mission, Lima, OH
• St. Paisios Mission, Nacogdoches, TX

Second-year grants:

• St. Catherine Mission Station, Columbus, MS
• St. Nina Mission, Azalea Park, FL

The Church Planting Grant Program provides financial assistance toward the salary and benefits of a full-time resident priest, helping mission communities establish a stable pastoral presence as they develop toward full parish status.

The program provides support over a three-year period, with decreasing levels of assistance as participating missions assume a greater share of their clergy compensation. Missions receiving grants are also expected to work closely with their diocesan leadership and the Department of Evangelization in evaluating their progress and developing plans for long-term sustainability.

For more than three decades, the Church Planting Grant Program has been among the Orthodox Church in America’s principal initiatives in support of missionary expansion, assisting numerous communities in establishing a lasting Orthodox presence throughout North America.

Inaugural Growing Spaces Grants

In addition to the Church Planting Grants, three communities have been selected to receive the first awards under the new Growing Spaces Grant Program:

• Archangel Gabriel Mission, Phoenix, OR
• St. John the Merciful Mission, Orlando, FL
• St. John the Theologian Mission, Fairfax, VA

Launched in 2026, the Growing Spaces Grant Program was established to assist mission communities that have outgrown their existing worship facilities and need to relocate to larger spaces.

The program provides financial support specifically for rent or mortgage expenses associated with the expanded facilities. Like the Church Planting Grant Program, Growing Spaces is designed to offer assistance over three years, with gradually decreasing support as participating communities grow and assume their additional financial responsibilities.

The introduction of this new program reflects the increasing need to assist missions at different stages of development. While the Church Planting Grant Program helps communities establish and sustain full-time pastoral ministry, Growing Spaces addresses another challenge faced by successful missions: securing adequate facilities to accommodate their growing congregations and ministries.

Together, these programs represent an important commitment by the Orthodox Church in America to supporting the establishment, growth, and long-term stability of Orthodox communities throughout North America.

Both programs are administered through the Department of Evangelization. The Church Planting and Growing Spaces Grant Programs are made possible in part through the generosity of our faithful, whose contributions support initiatives that strengthen the Church’s missionary and pastoral work.

Those wishing to support these and other ministries of the Orthodox Church in America are invited to visit oca.org/donate.

At the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided at the annual Assembly of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, held October 29–30, 2026, at the Church of the Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow, in Princeton, NJ. Accompanying His Beatitude was Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America.

On Thursday, October 29, His Beatitude presided at the Divine Liturgy opening the Assembly. Concelebrating with him were Archbishop Michael, Fr. Alessandro, Archpriest David Cowan, Vice Chancellor of the Diocese, and other diocesan clergy.

In his homily, His Beatitude reflected on the unity of the Church and the responsibility to welcome those seeking Christ, emphasizing the Apostle Paul’s call to speak with grace:

“Our task is not to win arguments, but to bring each person to Christ and to walk with them in His Church.”

He concluded by exhorting the clergy and faithful: “Let us ask, not that our burdens be lifted, but that the door of the word remain open. Let our speech be with grace, seasoned with salt. And let us gather with Christ, and not scatter, so that this diocese may be a house that stands.”

Read the full text of His Beatitude’s homily

Following the Divine Liturgy and lunch, the Assembly convened for its business session, which included Archbishop Michael’s address, reports from diocesan officers and ministries, and consideration of the Diocese’s financial and pastoral responsibilities.

On Friday, October 30, His Beatitude and Father Alessandro addressed the clergy, lay delegates, and observers as part of the Assembly’s second day, devoted to presentations and workshops. Following a Molieben, His Beatitude delivered an address entitled “The Present Life of the Orthodox Church in America.”

Father Alessandro then offered “Reflections from the Chancellor’s Office,” discussing the pastoral responsibilities of Church administration, autocephaly and conciliarity, and the relocation of the Metropolitan’s residence and Chancery to Washington, DC. He also highlighted efforts to support growing missions and care for clergy and their families. Both presentations included time for questions and discussion.

The afternoon sessions featured presentations by Dr. William Marianes of Stewardship Calling Ministries on forming disciples of Christ and supporting the financial needs of parish ministry.

On Monday, November 2, 2026, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, meeting at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY, under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, canonically elected His Grace Bishop Gerasim (Eliel) as Bishop of Dallas and the South.

In a letter informing the clergy of the Diocese of the South of the election, Metropolitan Tikhon directed that Bishop Gerasim be commemorated immediately as Bishop of Dallas and the South at all divine services, following the commemoration of the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America.

The enthronement of Bishop Gerasim will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Saint Seraphim Cathedral in Dallas, TX.

His Beatitude assured Bishop Gerasim and the clergy and faithful entrusted to his archpastoral care of his prayers.

On Monday, October 26, and Tuesday, October 27, 2026, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided at services for the feast of the newly glorified Righteous Mother Olga of Kwethluk, Wonderworker, Matushka of All Alaska, at St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Primatial Cathedral of the Orthodox Church in America, in Washington, DC.

On Monday evening, His Beatitude presided at the festal Vigil, followed on Tuesday morning by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Faithful from throughout the Archdiocese of Washington gathered for the solemn and joyful services honoring Saint Olga, who was glorified among the saints of the Orthodox Church in June 2025.

Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America and Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral; Archpriest David Bozeman, Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America and Associate Priest of the Cathedral; and Archpriest Valery Shemchuk, Associate Priest;  and Deacon Igor Panyutin. Visiting clergy included Archpriest Christopher Foley, Priest James Bozeman, and Priest John Stiff.

The liturgical responses were sung by the Archdiocesan Choir under the direction of Mr. Kevin Basil Fritts, contributing to the prayerful and beautiful celebration of the feast.

Throughout the services, a portion of the holy relics of Saint Olga was placed in the center of the Cathedral for the veneration of the clergy and faithful.

In his reflections, His Beatitude reminded the faithful of the extraordinary witness of Saint Olga, whose holiness was manifested not through public prominence or extraordinary accomplishments in the eyes of the world, but through a life of humility, quiet service, and self-giving love. As a wife, mother, and matushka in the Alaskan village of Kwethluk, she faithfully cared for her family and extended compassion and assistance to those who suffered, particularly women, mothers, and those experiencing hardship and grief.

His Beatitude emphasized that the example of Saint Olga reminds us that the path to holiness is open to every Christian, and that even the simplest and most ordinary circumstances of life can become occasions for encountering Christ and manifesting His love. Through her steadfast faith and tireless care for others, Saint Olga revealed the beauty of a life transformed by the grace of God.

Holy Righteous Mother Olga of Alaska, pray to God for us!