His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios presided. Present were the following Synodal Hierarchs: His Eminences Metropolitans Iakovos of Chicago, Maximos of Pittsburgh, Methodios of Boston, Alexios of Atlanta, Nicholas of Detroit, Gerasimos of San Francisco and Evangelos of New Jersey. Present also was the Chief Secretary of the Synod, V. Rev. Archimandrite Sebastian Skordallos. Absent was His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver due to illness.
 
Before the Session began, a prayer was offered for the speedy recovery of His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and all Greece, who is hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital of Miami. Furthermore, the Holy Eparchial Synod composed and sent a letter of support to the ailing Primate.
 
Afterwards, the Holy Eparchial Synod deliberated on issues pertaining to the life of the Church. Among them, the following were discussed:
 
1. Liturgical Issues.

A discussion took place regarding the basic text of the Divine Liturgy, which will be translated into English and, following its approval by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, will be used by all Parishes of the Holy Archdiocese of America. The Holy Synod considered this matter a priority and, thus, outlined the process for the speedy implementation of the entire program.
 
2. Educational Issues.

a. Greek Education. The following issues were announced and discussed: (1) The need to deal with the shortage of teachers to meet the needs of Greek Education. (2) It was announced that a specialized group has been already formed which, on the basis of a designed program, will proceed with the drafting of appropriate text books necessary for the instruction both of the Greek language and of the Orthodox and cultural Hellenic heritage. (3) Moreover, the realization of fruitful seminars in the Direct Archdiocesan District and in the Metropolises of the Holy Archdiocese were announced. These seminars for teachers were under the direction of leading linguist Professor George Babiniotis and under the auspices of the Department of Greek Education of the Holy Archdiocese. (4) Details were presented regarding the exceptionally successful 15-day seminar held in Cyprus during the month of July of this year which was sponsored by the University of Cyprus and the Ministry of Education of Cyprus. Twenty teachers from Schools of the Holy Archdiocese attended.
 
b. Religious Education. The need to update text books used for the catechism of children and adolescents of the parishes of the Holy Archdiocese was ascertained. At the same time, the need for the offering of essential Orthodox education to adult members of parishes was emphasized. It was, therefore, decided that the Department of Religious Education of the Archdiocese should plan and proceed with the authoring and publication of relevant material.

3. Youth Issues.

The Second International Orthodox Youth Convention that took place in Constantinople in July of this year was discussed. Approximately one hundred twenty young people from the USA attended in a total of about 900-1000 young people from all Eparchies of the Ecumenical Throne around the world. The Convention was crowned with great success which was attributed, among other, to the exceptional hospitality offered by the Holy Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The Synodal Hierarchs discussed also the subject of summer camps for the youth of each Metropolis of the Holy Archdiocese. It was observed that the number of campers of this year increased substantially compared to last year, and that in some Metropolises this increase reached more than 100%.
 
4. Archiepiscopal Fund for Fire Afflicted Individuals in Greece.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios informed the Synod of the effort for the gathering of money for the Greek people afflicted by the recent fires that caused huge damages in the Country, citing that until this moment the amount collected is three million two hundred thousand dollars ($3.220.000), and that collection efforts are still underway. Then, he praised the exceptional effort undertaken by certain Parishes which exceeded by much amounts usually collected and which also organized events for the further collection of money for this purpose. 
 
5. Canonical Issues.

The Holy Eparchial Synod discussed canonical issues pertaining to the Clergy and made relevant pastoral and disciplinary decisions. Among other canonical issues, the subject of the ongoing drafting of Regulations with respect to the Functions of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Functions of Spiritual Courts was also discussed. Furthermore, issues of Inter-Orthodox relations and Ecclesiastical presences in America were also discussed.
 
6. Hellenic College / Holy Cross School of Theology and Permanent Deacons Program.

During the last part of the Session of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the program of Permanent Deacons was discussed; this program has already begun. Other current issues with respect to Hellenic College and the Holy Cross School of Theology were also discussed.
 
Finally, during the Session of the Synod, her Members were given the opportunity to meet in person with the Members of the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council. At this meeting, the Synod was informed on work performed by the Presbyters Council and especially on their effort to offer a special program of continuous education for the Clergy. The Hierarchs offered their blessings and guidance to the members of said Council.
 
After the conclusion of the Sessions of the Holy Eparchial Synod, her members participated in the subsequent session of the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council.   
   
Office of the Holy Eparchial Synod