Written by Alexis Liberovsky OCA Archivist, Director of the Department of History and Archives |
Following
two years of intense negotiations with the Moscow
Patriarchate, the Russian Church granted autocephaly
to the former Metropolia on April 10, 1970. The
name change discussed in 1967 had therefore become
a practical reality.
The council convened at St.
Tikhon's Monastery in South Canaan, PA on October
20-22, 1970 was simultaneously the last sobor of
the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of America
and the first council of the new autocephalous
Orthodox Church in America. As council delegates
assembled, they prayed together for inspiration
to Saint HERMAN of Alaska, North America's first
Orthodox saint, who had been canonized just two
months before. This was the first time that Saint
HERMAN was venerated at a council representing
the entire North American Church.
The
first item on the council's agenda was approval
of the name change discussed at the previous council.
Following debate during which various points of
view were heard, the council approved the name
change almost unanimously. Through this conciliar
action, the entire Orthodox Church in America accepted
autocephaly. The council then approved a new constitution
for the Church. As necessary revision of the Statute
to bring it in line with the Church's new autocephalous
status required more time, it was decided to convene
a special council for this purpose the following
year. Having listened to reports on the canonical
and historical aspects of autocephaly, the council
in its final major action issued a message to all
Orthodox Christians in America calling all to unity
in one territorial American Church.
This
council conducted its sessions at St. Tikhon's
Monastery, which was founded by Saint TIKHON, Enlightener
of North America. Saint TIKHON had in fact been
the first to articulate a vision of eventual autocephaly
for the Church in North America. His memory along
with all those who had carried forth his vision
in later years was gratefully revered at the council
of 1970. With this council, many dreams had been
fulfilled and a new era had begun. |