Staten Island, NY – On October 28, 2024, His Grace Bishop David – President of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCh) and Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York & New England – hosted the fall meeting of the Standing Conference at his diocesan headquarters. Joining His Grace at the St. Mary Christian Center were His Eminence Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church, His Eminence Archbishop Abune Petros of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Archdiocese of New York & Its Surrounding Regions, His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and His Grace Bishop Gabriel of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of North America. Priests and deacons representing His Grace Bishop Makarios and His Grace Bishop Sinoda of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Archdiocese of North America were also in attendance, along with fathers from the Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian, and Malankara-Syriac Churches.
The bishops and their delegates discussed a number of important matters, including the planning of the next SCOOCh Concelebrated Liturgy, the planning of regional concelebrated liturgies in other parts of the country, and the ongoing dialogues with the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. The planning of youth conferences and other related events were also on the agenda for the day, including the annual Pan-Orthodox Christmas Concert, slated for December 13, 2024, which will feature choirs fielded by various Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions. This year’s concert will be held at the St. Mary Center in Staten Island.
After the meeting, His Grace Bishop David took his brother bishops and their delegates on a tour of the facilities and treated them to a delectable meal of traditional Egyptian fare.
The Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches glorifies God for the strong relationships that He has fostered among His children via its work since His Eminence Archbishop Torkom Manoogian of the Armenian Apostolic Church and His Eminence Mar Athanasius Yeshue Samuel of the Syriac Orthodox Church established the organization in 1973.