The Vicar’s Report on the development of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate at the Synaxis of the Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the USA

On October 1, the Second Synaxis of the Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the USA was held in Atlanta presided by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.

There were 17 bishops representing various dioceses of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox and the Albanian Orthodox Dioceses. The heads of the Vicariate of the Palestinian and Jordanian Orthodox Communities, the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate, the Mission for Outreach to African Americans, and the Spanish Ministry, all of which are part of the Greek Archdiocese, were also invited to the meeting. “Our agenda today is concise – first to share news from each of the Eparchies, and after the break, to focus on the ministries that are bringing more and more souls into the loving care of the Mother Church. We cannot ignore the role that we have here in America, the first Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne in the New World. I say this to all of you: If we do not lead Orthodoxy in this land … who will?” Archbishop Elpidophoros said in his opening address. Those present then discussed and shared information about their dioceses, vicariates, and missions.

In his report, His Grace Bishop-elect Alexander of Nicopolis, Vicar of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate, summed up the activities of the Slavic Vicariate during the years of its existence. The process of creating the Vicariate began 5 years ago, the foundation of which was officially announced by HE Archbishop Elpidophoros in March of 2020. At the beginning of his speech, His Grace Bishop-elect Alexander of Nicopolis thanked His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros for their paternal guidance, acceptance into the Ecumenical Patriarchate and assistance in organizing and operating the Vicariate. Speaking about the development and summing up, His Grace Bishop-elect Alexander of Nicopolis voiced statistical data on the Slavic Vicariate. Thus, as of October 1, 2024, there are 22 clergy that serve in the Slavic Vicariate among them 17 priests, 2 protodeacons and 3 nuns. It unites 9 parishes in 5 states, including a monastery and a hermitage. There are 3 Parish Children Schools. The Orthodox calendar of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate is published annually, and it has its own website. The information voiced by the Vicar in his report exemplifies the constant development of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate.