OCA Holy Synod Meets in Spring Session

At its recent spring session the Holy Synod of the American Orthodox Church (OCA) reviewed recent developments in the life of the OCA, among other things excommunicating Oriental Orthodox Christians received into the OCA should they maintain communion with their native Orthodox Churches and elevating four of the Church's diocesan bishops to the rank of archbishop. More here.

Fast of the Ninevites

We've arrived again at the Fast of Nineveh, the three-day fast commemorating the repentance of Nineveh and God's mercy on the Assyrian people. Many Orthodox - in Greece, Russia, and elsewhere - mark the approach of Lent with a fast-free week, but the Syrians, Armenians, Copts, Ethiopians, and Indians rigorously observe the Fast of Nineveh to prepare for the coming Great Fast.

Historically the Fast of the Ninevites originated in Mesopotamia, where it was kept strictly by the Assyrians and from whom it was passed to other parts of the Orthodox world. In the past the fast was six days long, but was later reduced to three. More on the fast can be found here.

"The Ninevites trembled at the voice of Jonah, the son of Mattai, and took refuge in penitence by watching, fasting and prayer; and by tears and groans the sentence of judgment pronounced by Jonah concerning the destruction of Nineveh was annulled. Blessed is the Compassionate One who turned them from evil to good!" (A prayer of the West Syrian Rite.)

Whether you're celebrating a week free from fasting or following the example of the Ninevites, God help you in your preparation for the approaching Pascha of His Son!

SCOOCH Concelebration Scheduled for November

The Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCH) in the United States has scheduled a concelebration of the Divine Liturgy by SCOOCH member hierarchs for 19 November at the Coptic Orthodox Church of Sts. Michael and Menas on Staten Island. More here.

Fall Meeting of Oriental Orthodox Hierarchs in North America

I think that in the swirls of debate over the unification of the various Orthodox Christian Churches in the Americas we tend to forget the existence of the Oriental Orthodox Churches and their own cooperative work here in North America. Their organization, the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in America, just held its fall session. More can be found here.