Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

6 July 2012
Holy Martyr Agrippina
Dearly Clergy and Faithful of our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA,
GLORY BE TO OUR LORD AND GOD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST!
I begin writing this letter with a deep sense of
sadness and loss, never expecting to be obliged to do
so at such an unexpected time, following the repose
of our beloved Metropolitan Constantine, Primate
of our Church since 1993, a hierarch since 1972 and
priest since 1967. We have mourned his departure
from us deeply, along with the members of his family
and still find it difficult that it happened so suddenly,
less than 48 hours after the joyful celebration of his
40th anniversary of episcopal service to our Church.
We are most grateful to all the hierarchs from
many Orthodox and Catholic jurisdictions and from
other faith groups, to the large numbers of clergy
and faithful from our Church and other Orthodox
jurisdictions who took part in the funeral services
for Metropolitan Constantine and in the 40 th day of
repose commemorations, which took place on 30
June at the Metropolia Center here in South Bound
Brook – Somerset, NJ and in Pittsburgh. We also
express our gratitude to the clergy of the Pittsburgh
Deanery and the faithful of St. Vladimir Parish,
Southside, Pittsburgh and their parish priest, V. Rev.
Fr. John Haluszczak and all others who worked so
diligently without any possible notification to prepare
for the Metropolitan’s funeral services. We pray that
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Constantine rests in
eternal happiness and that his soul will be eternally
remembered in God’s Heavenly Kingdom. Vichna
Yomu Pamyat.
According to our Church Constitution, I am
obliged to call a Special Sobor of the Church to take
place within six months of the repose of our Primate.
After consultation with Bishop Daniel and our Council
of the Metropolia, I have set Saturday, 6 October
2012, as the date for this Sobor to take place at the
Metropolia Center. A Special Sobor of our Church
may consider only the items for which it is called.
Of course, the main purpose of the Sobor will be to
elect a new Primate for our Church. The complete
agenda is published in this edition of the Ukrainian
Orthodox Word.
Vol. LXII Issue VII-VIII, July - August, 2012
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Archdiocesan Administrative Center – Office of the Consistory
Your participation in this Sobor is of utmost
importance to the continuation of our Church life
and ministry to a secularized world that, under evil
influences, never ceases challenge our Faith and
our faith – seemingly to make both irrelevant to an
“enlightened” mankind. We must respond with a
profound statement of our unity and our renewed
commitment and devotion to our God in the Holy
Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In addition to our Sobor and with the hope
of lessening the financial burden for our parishes,
we have scheduled our annual clergy conference,
normally a three day event, which will be condensed
into a single day. It will take place on Friday, 5
October 2012, also at the Metropolia Center. The
conference agenda and registration materials will be
sent to the clergy in a few weeks. We ask all clergy to
arrive on Thursday evening so that we can begin the
conference early in the morning on Friday.
The annual session of the Council of the
Metropolia will take place on Thursday, 4 October
2012, at the Metropolia Center. This also is normally
a three day event, which will be condensed into
one day. We ask all Council members to arrive
on Wednesday evening so that we can begin our
meeting early on Thursday morning. It will be a long
day, but we should be able to accomplish all our
normal business by having all reports prepared and
distributed prior to the meeting.
May the Holy Spirit guide all our deliberations
and efforts during this Sobor, uniting us in “one mind
and one heart” so that all we attempt to accomplish
will be for the Glory of God and the salvation of souls.
In our Lord’s All-encompassing Love,
+ Antony
By the Grace of God, Archbishop and Locum
Tenens of the Metropolia and President of the
Consistory
Ukrainian Orthodox Word 3