STATEN ISLAND, NY – On Saturday, October 22, 2016, the fathers of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches gathered at Archangel Michael & St. Mena Coptic Orthodox Church to celebrate the Divine Liturgy as one Orthodox family. Hosting hierarch H.G. Bishop David of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of NY & NE welcomed H.E. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Armenian Church, H.E. Mor Dionysios Jean Kawak of the Syriac Church, H.E. Mor Titus Yeldho of the Malankara-Syriac Church, H.E. Mor Silvanos Ayub of the Knanaya-Syriac Church, and H.G. Bishop Karas of the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America to the altar, along with representatives of H.E. Abune Zekarias of the Ethiopian Church.
H.G. Anba David offered a stirring homily in which he emphasized the unity, solidarity, and love shared by the faithful of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. After the liturgy, the faithful gathered for an agape meal, and youth from the various jurisdictions registered for the Standing Conference’s upcoming annual youth conference, details about which – along with online registration – can be found here: http://www.scooch.org/2016/09/5th-annual-youth-conference/ (Seating is limited, but still available.)