West Coast Canonical Orthodox Bishops Meet in San Francisco

July 23, 2007

(L - R) His Grace Bishop Benjamin, His Grace Bishop Joseph,
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, His Grace Bishop Maxim

Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the West Coast: Communique to the Orthodox Faithful in the West (PDF)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The second meeting of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the West Coast was held on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in San Francisco.  In attendance were: Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco (Greek), Bishop Joseph of Los Angeles and the West (Antiochian), Bishop Maxim of Western America (Serbian), and Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West (OCA).  "This gathering of the Hierarchs in San Francisco underlines our desire to have a unified voice of Orthodoxy in the western states," said His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos. 

In an effort to convey the oneness of the Church, several items of importance were decided at the meeting, including:

• Beginning in 2008, an annual joint celebration for the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, which will be attended by all four Hierarchs. This service will be held in the Los Angeles area. 
• The development of collaborative continuing education programs for both clergy and laity.
• To work more closely with Orthodox Campus Fellowship (OCF) ensuring that every university campus within the region of the western states has an Orthodox presence.
• Participate in a joint special commemoration of the 1,600^th anniversary of the repose of St. John Chrysostom the weekend of November 9 - 10 in the Los Angeles area.

Also participating in the meeting were: V. Rev. Demetrios Earl Cantos (Chancellor, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco), V. Rev. Nikola Ceko (Dean, St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Cathedral - Los Angeles), V. Rev. Ian MacKinnon (Elevation of the Holy Cross OCA Church - Sacramento), Rev. Nicholas Borzghol (Priest, St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church - San Francisco), Subdeacon Michael Habib (Antiochian Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles and the West).