Bishop's Council Meeting

The Bishop's Council met and we decided upon the date and location of the Convocation for 2018.

"Council members deliberated on a number of matters concerning parish life. The council also approved the organizing committee tasked with planning the Convocation of Clergy and Laity of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA slated to be in held in October 2018 at the Antiochian Village in Pennsylvania."  This paragraph is from the diocesan website.

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss where, when, and how for the 2018 Convocation.  We are looking at Antiochian Village from 15-18 October 2018.  We had also considered a location in New Jersey, but the cost was too high.

Being on the Bishop's Council is a real blessing to me.  When first nominated, I really did not think that I would be elected.  But the delegates surprised me and I really feel honored.  I have no problems with attending meetings and I really enjoy being with fellow Orthodox clergy.

The meeting took place at St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church in Little Falls NJ.  The parish has a beautiful facility.  I photographed the interior of the church at the previous Bishop's Council meeting.

There are many things which I love about Orthodoxy.  First of all, we have the Truth. Our teachings are the same from the beginning. I can go anywhere in the world and serve, even if don't know the language because our services are the same all over the world.  If I could get into a time machine and go back in history, I would be able to serve any place for the same reason.

Not only are our services beautiful, but so are our temples.  Also, we are family.  We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and we really feel it.  I have met strangers on the streets and we became instant friends because we are Orthodox.
  

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Fr. Gregory Winsky and Priest Alexey Paranyuk, rector

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Priest Alexey Paranyuk, rector and Archpriest Igor Tarasov, chancellor
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St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church
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The church seems to be in a lovely, quiet neighborhood.

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This is a really beautiful house across the street from the church.

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The Council members
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Fr. Roman Star and Bishop JOHN

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