Paramus, NJ – On April 15, 2026, the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCh) gathered for its spring meeting. The meeting was hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Dionysios John Kawak of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of the Eastern United States at the Mor Aphrem Center. Joining His Eminence at the meeting were His Grace Bishop David, President of SCOOCh and Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York & New England, His Eminence Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church, His Eminence Archbishop Mor Silvanos Ayub of the Knanaya Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church, His Eminence Archbishop Petros of the Ethiopian Orthodox Archdiocese of New York & Its Surroundings, His Grace Bishop Sinoda of the Eritrean Orthodox Diocese of North America & Its Affiliated Regions, the V. Rev. Father Simeon Odabashian, Vicar of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, representing the Primate: His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, and priests and deacons from each of the Sister Churches.
At the meeting, the hierarchs and their delegates discussed a number of important issues, including pastoral cooperation on the local level with the Eastern Orthodox Church, the convocation of concelebrations of the Divine Liturgy and other services, ministry on college campuses, and the organization of youth conferences, spiritual days, symposia, concerts, and other events designed to nurture the unity enjoyed by the Oriental Orthodox Christians of the United States.
The gathering concluded with an agape meal, offering a time of fellowship, brotherly love, and continued conversation among the hierarchs and clergy.