All-American Council

All-American Council is name of the periodic general councils of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). This title began with the granting, in 1970, of autocephaly to the former Russian Mission, which was commonly referred to as the Metropolia. The councils prior to autocephaly were called All-American Sobors.

The first All-American Council, held on October 20-22, 1970 was also the last All-American Sobor, the fourteenth, after the diocese received the Tomos of autocephaly from the Moscow Patriarchate. The following is a list All-American councils since the first with notes of the principal activities during each:

First All-American Council

The first council was held at St. Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania. The council accepted the autocephaly Tomos and approved the new name of Orthodox Church in America. After approving a new short constitution, the council decided to convene a special session of the council the following year to revise the Church Statutes to reflect the new status as an autocephalous church.

Second All-American Council

The second council was also held at St. Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan from October 19-21, 1971. The council adopted the revised Statutes for the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) which was based upon the short constitution adopted at the council in 1970. The Statutes specified convening an All-American Council every two years. The council also welcomed into the OCA the Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese led by Bp. Stephen (Lasko).

Third All-American Council

The third council was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 13-15, 1973 and for the first time used hotel convention facilities for the sessions. This council was the first council to meet in a number of sessions and workshops instead of convening only in plenary sessions. The council approved the expansion of the central chancery, permit women to be delegates at diocesan meetings, and increased the assessments for funding the central administration (chancery). The Council welcomed the Exarchate of Mexico led by Bp. Jose (Cortes y Olmos) into the OCA.

Fourth All-American Council

The fourth council was again held in a hotel convention facility in Cleveland, Ohio, in November 10-13, 1975. A theme on Missions was adopted for this council, and the business of the Council centered on issues of the day.

Fifth All-American Council

The fifth council was held in the Canadian Archdiocese, in the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on October 25-28, 1977. This council was the first held outside the United States. The first order of business for this Council was the election of a metropolitan, as Metr. Ireney had announced his retirement six months earlier due to failing health. After failing to gain a two thirds majority on the first vote, a runoff second vote was held to choose two candidates for selection by the Synod of Bishops. While gaining only 179 votes to 348, Bp. Theodosius (Lazor) of Pittsburgh was selected by the Synod over Bp. Dmitri (Royster) of New England. Discussion and deliberations at the council after the election of the new first hierarch were held under the theme of Stewardship. Attending the Council for the first time was the Bulgarian diocese led by Bp. Kyrill (Yonchev) of Pittsburgh|Kyrill (Yonchev)]] which had been received into the OCA in 1976. This council introduced the attendance of observers, including women, to council sessions. The council moved the date for the sixth Council to 1980, from the normally scheduled 1979, to coincide with the tenth anniversary of autocephaly.

Sixth All-American Council

The sixth council was held in Detroit, Michigan, on November 9-14, 1980. Discussions and deliberations for this Council were held under the theme of Orthodoxy, America, and The Future. The council amended the Statutes to admit women as delegates at All-American Councils. The council also revised the Statutes to schedule convocation of the All-American Councils every three year instead of every two years. The council also expressed support for Abp Valerian (Trifa), bishop of the Romanian Diocese of the OCA, who was defending himself against accusations of being a Nazi war-criminal. At the council the Synod of Bishops announced the formation in 1981 of the Diocese of Washington (DC) as the see for the Primate of the OCA. The council was also advised of the established in 1978 by the Synod of Bishops of the Diocese of the South.

Seventh All-American Council

The seventh council was the first scheduled in the summer and was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 22-26, 1983. The discussions and deliberations of this council were held under the theme of Church Growth. This council was the last one attended by Fr. Alexander Schmemann, who was very ill and died after the council adjourned on December 13, 1983.

Eighth All-American Council

The eighth council was held in Washington, D.C. on August 17-22, 1986. The discussions and deliberations at this council were held under the theme of Evangelization. Among the issues debated, but not resolved, was that of admitting deacons to the councils as clergy delegates.

Ninth All-American Council

The ninth council was held in Saint Louis, Missouri on August 20-25, 1989. The discussions and deliberations of the council were under the theme of The Orthodox Church in America: Reflecting on the Past, Planning for the Future. The ninth council reflected a change in the format for sessions by reverting back to plenary sessions only. The council noted the retirement of Fr. Daniel Hubiak who had been the Chancellor of the OCA since he succeeded Fr. Joseph J. Pishtey after he died on November 2, 1972. The council also noted that the newly appointed chancellor was Fr. Robert Kondratick.

Tenth All-American Council

The tenth council was held in Miami, Florida in July 26-31, 1992. The discussions and deliberations were held under the theme of Discerning God’s Will: Our Spiritual Life and Ministry. Most of the deliberations were based upon subjects submitted by parishes during pre-council preparations. The council mourned the death of Fr. John Meyendorff just a few days before the council convened.

Eleventh All-American Council

The eleventh council was held in Chicago, Illinois on July 16-21, 1995. The theme of the council was Gathered in Community. The deliberations were again held in plenary sessions that were organized to reflect the changes in the departmental structures of the central administration.

Twelfth All-American Council

The twelfth council was convened in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 25-30, 1999, one year late due to “logistical circumstances.