Archdiocesan Assembly-2023 - Montreal - July 17-21, 2023

Archdiocesan Assembly, Montréal, Québec, 17-21 July, 2023

On 17-21 July, 2023, the Archdiocesan Assembly was convened in Montréal, Québec. The assembly took place at the Manoir d'Youville, in Châteauguay, Québec.

Manoir d'Youville, Châteauguay, Québec

The various parishes of Montréal hosted the assembly : Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral ; the Sign of the Theotokos Church ; Saint-Benoît de Nursie Church ; the Moldovan Orthodox Church of the Dormition of Mother of God ; the Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple Mission in Verdun.

This was the first in-person assembly of the archdiocese since 2017. The reason for the hiatus is the arrival of the Covid-19 Virus Pandemic, and the very many restrictions on travel and on public gatherings that were imposed. It was several years before it became possible to prepare for another assembly in the usual format.

On this occasion, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon), Archbishop of Ottawa and Canada was joined by Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, and by Bishop Alexei (Trader), Bishop of Alaska.

Clergy and faithful from across Canada joined together in the daily services, presentations, and meetings throughout the assembly.

Many of the comments received picked up on the highlights of the gathering :

"How wonderful it was to see everyone again after the pandemic lockdowns and isolation. These assemblies are vital for uniting the archdiocese across Canada."

"To spend time with our beloved hierarchs, Vladyka Irénée and Metropolitan Tikhon, was such a blessing."

"From beginning to end the gospel of Christ dominated the assembly. We are inspired to go back to our parishes and communities and share our faith with the world."

"I appreciated Jonathan Pageau's talk on how the person, the family, and the Church are all interrelated in God's cosmos. I loved meeting him in person after watching him on YouTube."

"What a Grace-filled week. I just wish more of our clergy and people could have been there to experience it."

"Bishop Alexei's message about the Diocese of Alaska and his plea for us to come to the aid of the people there was very moving. We should ensure we support them as well as working for reconciliation with indigenous peoples in Canada."

The agenda of the assembly :

MONDAY, 17 JULY : 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., Assembly Registration

TUESDAY, 18 JULY : 7:30 a.m., Hierarchical Divine Liturgy ; 9:00 a.m., Breakfast ; 10:30 a.m.,

Clergy Synaxis Begins (clergy only, Guest Speaker – Protodeacon Peter Danilchik via Zoom) [lunch]

Clergy synaxis

Greeting of Metropolitan Tikhon at the aeroport.

5:30 p.m., Vespers ; 6:30 p.m., Dinner ; 8:00 p.m., STAS Hospitality (wine & cheese)

WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY : First Day of Assembly

7:00 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Opening Moleben ; 9:00 a.m., Breakfast.

Youth Event : Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, swimming (on premises)

10:00 a.m., Greeting of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon with bread/salt, and welcome from the Planning Committee (Fr Paul Kara).

Archpriest Paul Kara announced the Archbishop’s appointment of • Business Chairman ; • Recording Secretaries (2) ; • Credentials Committee (3) (clergy, observers, lay delegates) ; • Nominations Committee [7 positions were to be voted on : - clergy/lay delegates to Archdiocesan Council ; - Clergy/Lay delegates to Metropolitan Council]

Corrections/Approval of Minutes from Previous Assembly (2017 Edmonton) : Fr. Matthew Francis Fr Matthew invited a motion to adopt the minutes as read/corrected.

Fr Paul introduced His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presented his address to the Assembly.

Fr Paul introduced His Eminence, Archbishop Irénée. His Eminence Archbishop Irénée presented his address to the Assembly.

Fr Paul introduced Fr Geoffrey Ready, who gave a presentation on Theological Education and the Holy Trinity Programme Web-site. This was followed by the Report from the Credentials Committee.

During the lunch period, the Clergy Wives met with Matushka Constantina Palmer.

After lunch, Fr Paul introduced the presentation of Archdiocesan Council Reports : Archdiocesan Council Reports : ▪ Chancellor (Fr Phillip Eriksson)  ; ▪ Secretary (Mrs. Anna Miller)  ; ▪ Treasurer (Fr Rod Luciuk ) ; 2 Reports filed (followed by Interaction and Question period with the Deans) ; ▪ Dean of Quebec and the Maritimes (Fr Anatoliy Melnyk) ; ▪ Dean of Ontario (Fr Geoffrey Korz) ; ▪ Dean of Manitoba and Saskatchewan (Fr Gregory Scratch) ; ▪ Dean of Alberta (Fr Vincent Lehr) ; ▪ Dean of BC and Yukon (Fr Michael Fourik).

Mr. David Goodin gave an address : "Insights from the Theological Poetry by Saint Gregory of Nazianzus on the Family".

Matushka Constantina Palmer made a presentation to the Assembly.

At 5:30 p.m., Vespers was served, followed by dinner.

THURSDAY, 20 JULY : 2nd Day of Assembly

7:00 a.m., Divine Liturgy, followed by breakfast

Youth event : Biodome Montréal 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m. : "Good News : Parish Stories of Encouragement and Inspiration" (Deacon Gregory V Wright gave a presentation about the developments at Saint Herman Church, Langley, BC).

Fr Paul introduced Fr Andrew Applegate, who reported on the state of STAS (Saint Tikhon Archdiocesan Stewards).

Fr Paul introduced Jonathan Pageau, who gave a presentation about iconography.

After lunch, Fr Paul introduced a question-and-answer session with Metropolitan Tikhon and Archbishop Irénée.

After a coffee-break, the "Good News" presentations continued.

At 4:15 p.m., Fr Phillip Eriksson invited nominations from the floor in advance of elections.

At 7:00 p.m., the banquet was served. The Guest Speaker was The Right Reverend Alexei (Trader), Bishop of Sitka & Alaska.

Bishop Alexei (Trader) of Alaska

FRIDAY, 21 JULY : Final Day of Assembly

At 7:30 a.m., the Primatial Divine Liturgy was served. Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), Archbishop Irénée (Rochon), and Bishop Alexei (Trader) served together with several clergy.

At the Divine Liturgy

Metropolitan Tikhon preached the homily

Great Entrance

After breakfast, the final plenary session began, chaired by Fr Phillip Eriksson. First, there were announcements of the appointments by Archbishop Irénée of Archdiocesan Council Ex-Officio Members as ▪ Chancellor (Mitred Archpriest Phillip Eriksson) ▪ Archdiocesan Secretary (Mrs. Anna Miller), and ▪ Treasurer (Archpriest Rodion Luciuk).

Second, there were announcements of the appointments by Archbishop Irénée of the Archdiocesan Council Members : ▪ Regional Deans (Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk ; Archpriest Geoffrey Ready ; Archpriest Gregory Scratch) ; Archpriest Vincent B Lehr ; Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik) ▪ Deanery Lay Representatives – Elected within the Deaneries (Dr John Hadjinicolaou ; Alexander Tomberg ; Deacon Gregory Wiebe ; Lorna Clark ; Mrs. Angela Rook).

This was followed by the Report of Nomination Committee and Elections, at which times ballots and collection baskets prepared.

Then followed the elections for : ▪ Metropolitan Council Member (clergy) (Archpriest Gregory Scratch) ; ▪ Metropolitan Council Member (lay) ; ▪ Archdiocesan Council Member at Large (clergy) (Archpriest Stelian Liabotis) ; ▪ Archdiocesan Council Member at Large (lay) (Dr. Evangelia (Lila) Amirali).

Afterwards, the Assembly was closed with the serving of a Thanksgiving Moleben.

Minutes and reports from Diocesan Council meetings after 2001 are available here.