Holy Synod Concludes its Regular Spring 2026 Session
Meeting under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America concluded their regular Spring Session held April 28 - 30, 2026 in Springfield, VA.
On Tuesday, April 28 the meeting began with an Opening Molieben and a report from His Beatitude where he highlighted the work of the Office of the Metropolitan. His Beatitude also presented His Eminence Archbishop Alexander’s request for retirement as ruling hierarch of the Diocese of the South. That request was approved by the Holy Synod. Throughout the spring session, the ruling hierarchs presented annual reports for each of the dioceses.
At the second meeting, the Holy Synod received and approved a report on the updated Social Media Guidelines for Clergy and Lay Leaders of the Orthodox Church in America. The Holy Synod then discussed the Synodal offices, committees, and commissions and their ongoing work.
On Wednesday, April 29, the Holy Synod gathered at St. Nicholas Cathedral for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy with His Grace Bishop Benedict presiding. The community provided a brunch and a time of fellowship for the hierarchs. Following the Divine Liturgy, the Holy Synod heard reports from Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, Priest David Bozeman, Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America, and Mr. Andrew Smith, Treasurer.
The Holy Synod also heard reports from Archpriest Nicholas Solak for the Office of Pastoral life, where he reported on the various programs under the OPL as well as the upcoming Clergy and Clergy Wives Retreats to be held later this year. Archpriest John Dresko, Chair of the Pension Board, presented his report followed by Dr. Alexander Tudorie, Dean of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, who reported seminary activities. The day concluded with additional diocesan reports.
On Thursday, April 30, His Beatitude and the Holy Synod heard reports from Archpriest Justin Patterson, Project Manager of the Departments of the Orthodox Church in America, the OCA’s General Counsel, Mr. Mark Hamilton, the Board of Theological Education, and Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, who reported on seminary activities and provided an update on the new partnership program with the Diocese of the Midwest. The session concluded with the remaining diocesan reports.