The weekend began with Vespers at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church on Saturday, October 3 and a concelebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Sunday, October 4.
Assembly XV focused primarily on the ongoing effort to create a Common Catechesis. After reviewing the work of the Theological Education Committee, the Assembly reaffirmed the mandate to the Committee to formulate a classical catechetical text.
The Assembly approved additional work on catechesis that engages many of the Assembly’s committees and new working groups. This comprehensive approach is unique in its inclusion of many voices and crucial in its collaborative nature for the teaching of the Orthodox faith in English. This represents a significant and distinctive undertaking which received the blessing and full support of all the Hierarchs present during the Assembly. Inspired by Saint Paul’s words: “and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2), this collaborative project will be a unique offering to the entire Orthodox Church.
Additionally, the Assembly of Bishops approved the American Sign Language Lexicon of Orthodox Christian Terminology as presented by the Assembly’s sign language lexicon team.
Read more from the conclusion of Assembly XV, including His Eminence’s closing remarks, at the link in the comments below. Photos courtesy of AoB/Presb. Theophani Sarigianis.
