Antiochian Orthodox in North America to Choose Three New Auxiliary Bishops

It was announced today at the ongoing convention of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America in Chicago that not two, but three auxiliary bishops will be "elected" by the "Local Synod" of the Archdiocese. Two will be appointed to the Midwestern and New England regions, whilst the only region without an auxiliary, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, will be passed over so that an auxiliary can be assigned to assist Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) of New York in his pastoral duties. More here.

Candidates Named for Episcopal Nominations in Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese

The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America has released a list of seven candidates for nomination as new archdiocesan auxiliary bishops at this summer's upcoming Archdiocesan Convention in Chicago. The Convention is to nominate two of the seven for election as auxiliary bishops. More here. Hat tip to Byzantine Texas for posting this first!

It's not entirely clear who is electing the new auxiliary bishops. The link above states that the "Archdiocesan Synod" will elect them, but given that a synod normally consists of ruling hierarchs it is not apparent how a collection of hierarchs including one ruling metropolitan and several auxiliary bishops can elect new bishops without someone from outside the Archdiocese joining them.

In the biographies themselves the emphasis placed on the languages known by the applicants is interesting, as is the presence of not one, but three clergy who have been priests for less than ten years. Length of pastoral service certainly isn't an absolute indicator of whether someone would make a good bishop or not, but one would think that it would certainly be a help...

Antiochian Orthodox in North America Prepare for June, July Meetings

The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America is preparing for a meeting of its "synod" (consisting of its ruling metropolitan and his auxiliary bishops), at which the nomination of new auxiliary bishops at the July Archdiocesan Convention will be discussed together with issues in the internal life of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in North America. More here.