Fair Lawn, NJ – On Monday, August 5, 2024, the Bishops of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCh) convened for their summer meeting. Present at the meeting – which was open only to the hierarchs and not to their appointed delegates, who participate along with the bishops in the Conference’s general meetings – were His Grace Bishop David, President of SCOOCh and Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York & New England, His Eminence Mor Dionysios John Kawak of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of the Eastern United States, His Grace Bishop Sinoda of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Archdiocese of North America, His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church, His Grace Bishop Gabriel of the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, and His Grace Bishop Mesrop of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, who hosted the gathering at St. Leon’s Armenian Apostolic Church.
The hierarchs discussed a number of important matters at the meeting, including dialogue and cooperation with the Eastern Orthodox Church, the convening of liturgies, conferences, and other related events, and the various challenges facing the Oriental Orthodox communion in the 21st century, both in their homelands and in the Orthodox diaspora. After the meeting, the bishops were treated to a delectable Armenian meal by the V. Rev. Father Diran Bohajian, the priest of the hosting parish.
The next general meeting of the Standing Conference is slated for the fall, as is the annual SCOOCh Concelebrated Liturgy.