A brief report from the 17th All American Council
Yesterday, at the plenary session of the 17th All-American Council – held here in Parma, outside Cleveland, Ohio – six hundred and sixty three participants, five hundred and ninety who were eligible to vote, forwarded two names to the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, after hours of prayer and balloting.
His Eminence Archbishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and His Grace Bishop Michael of New York were considered by the Holy Synod, who makes the final decision and election of our new Metropolitan, the bishop who acts as Primate (head) of our Church.
After many hours of and much anticipation, the curtain to the sanctuary was opened and Archbishop Tikhon was brought forth, having been elected by the Synod, to be vested in the appointments of the Metropolitan.
The Holy Orthodox Patriarchs; His Beatitude, the Most Blessed Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All American and Canada; His Grace, the Right Reverend Michael, Bishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, the brethren of our Holy Temple, and all Orthodox Christians everywhere – preserve them O Lord for Many Years!
Photo credit: Archpriest Gregory Safchuk, OCA.org