All-American Council - 2005 - Toronto - July 17-22 2005

In Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the 14th All-American Council (since autocephaly in 1970) of The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) was convened on 17-22 July, 2005. Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Toronto was the host parish for this assembly.

Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Toronto

The Archdiocese of Canada had hosted an All-American Council only once previously, in 1977.

The 14th All-American Council was held at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in downtown Toronto.

Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto

There were so many persons who registered to participate in this Council that an additional hotel nearby, the Strathcona Hotel, was engaged for accommodations.

Strathcona Hotel, Toronto

During the course of the sessions, Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko) presided at this Council. The participants were welcomed by Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) of the Archdiocese of Canada. At the Sunday Divine Liturgy in advance of the official opening of the Council, Bishop Seraphim preached a homily.

During this assembly, some brief, informal meetings of the Archdiocese of Canada representatives occurred, since they were together (more than 100 delegates and observers).

On this occasion, 1,187 delegates (hierarchs, clergy, lay-representatives, observers, youth) were present. The theme of this assembly was “Our Church and the Future”.

A summary by Alexis P Liberovsky of the 5th All-American Council may be found here.

“The Canadian Orthodox Messenger” presented a larger summary of the activities and decisions of the 14th Council in its Autumn issue.

Alexis P Liberovsky, Archivist of The Orthodox Church in America, commented, “The Fourteenth Council, in looking towards the future, revealed an overarching yearning among Council participants for administrative unity among all Orthodox Christians in North America in order to strengthen the Church’s witness on this continent and to manifest proper ecclesial order”.