Old Tappan, NJ – It isn’t often that the schedules of the Bishops of the Standing Conferene of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCh) allow for the hierarchs of each tradition represented on the Conference to be gathered together at one time, but on October 9, 2025 that is precisely what occurred. The President of SCOOCh – His Grace Bishop David of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York & New England – and the hosting hierarch – His Eminence Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church – were joined at the latter’s headquarters by His Eminence Mor Dionysios John Kawak of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of the Eastern United States, His Eminence Mor Silvanos Ayub of the Knanaya-Syriac Archdiocese, His Eminence Archbishop Petros of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Archdiocese of New York & Its Affiliated Regions, His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan of the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern), and His Grace Bishop Sinoda of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Diocese of North America and Its Affiliated Territories.
During the course of their meeting, the assembled hierarchs – along with priests and deacons representing each of their churches – discussed their ongoing dialogues with the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, the planning of regional concelebrated liturgies, church conferences, ecclesiastical concerts, and other important matters and events. Additionally, His Grace Bishop Sinoda presented His Grace Bishop David with a token of esteem on behalf of the Eritrean Diocese in acknowledgement of His Grace Bishop David’s efforts in supporting and helping to unite the Eritrean Diasporic Church. After the meeting, the hierarchs and their delegates gathered for an agape meal of delectable South Indian cuisine.
The Bishops of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches look forward to their upcoming Concelebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Armenian Rite at St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, NJ on October 11, their Oriental Orthodox Women’s Conference at the same location on November 1, and their Pan-Orthodox Christmas Concert at the Mor Aphrem Center in Paramus, NJ on December 12. If you are interested in organizing an official Oriental Orthodox event in your area, have your parish priest contact the Standing Conference for guidance and support.