Fair Lawn, NJ – On Saturday, October 11, 2025, His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan – Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church – hosted the annual Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCh) Concelebration of the Divine Liturgy. His Grace was joined at the altar by his fellow hierachs: His Grace Bishop David (President of SCOOCh and Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York & New England), His Eminence Archbishop Dionysios John Kawak (Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of the Eastern United States), His Eminence Archbishop Titus Yeldho (Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church), His Eminence Archbishop Silvanos Ayub (Knanaya Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church), and His Grace Bishop Gabriel (Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America). Priests and deacons representing His Eminence Archbishop Petros (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Archdiocese of New York & Its Affiliated Regions) and Their Graces Bishop Makarios and Bishop Sinoda (Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Diocese of North America & Its Affiliated Territories) were also in attendance, along with dozens of other clergy and more than three hundred faithful representing all of the Oriental Orthodox jurisdictions.
In his homily, His Grace Bishop Mesrop reflected upon “the power of unity we experience in worship—how, in a world divided by fear and anger, Christ’s love still gathers us as one family, one heart, one voice” and reminded the faithful that “on the Feast of the Holy Translators, we are each called to translate the Gospel into the language of love and compassion, so the world may see God’s message alive through us”.
In his remarks after the service, the President of SCOOCh, His Grace Bishop David, encouraged the faithful to get to know one another, and to build lasting bonds of fellowship that endure beyond special gatherings and annual events.
After the service, the clergy and the faithful gathered for an agape meal of delicious Armenian cuisine in the spacious Abajian Hall, and put His Grace’s words into practice. The luncheon brought together people from every Oriental Orthodox community—sharing stories, laughter, and faith, and making plans to move forward in fellowship for the future. His Grace Bishop Mesrop observed that “It was a glimpse of what Christian unity truly looks like: many traditions, one heart in Christ”.
The Liturgy was organized through the hard work of the pastor of St. Leon – V. Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian – along with the Parish Council of the Church, its deacons, and SCOOCh Secretary, Rev. Archdeacon Gebre Kristos Nicholas Siniari.
As Bishop Mesrop concluded, “May this celebration of communion remind us that what unites us is far greater than what separates us. For in Christ, we are one Church, one body, and one family”.
The Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches looks forward to its upcoming Women’s Conference – also graciously hosted by His Grace Bishop Mesrop and the Armenian Diocese at St. Leon – scheduled to take place on November 1, 2025.
Photos courtesy of Mr. Dimitry Faltas.