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ERA 5 - November 8, 1998

Spyridon advocates a Uniform Charter for US Monasteries

By Justine Frangouli

Archbishop Spyridon, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, introduced the issue of a single uniform charter for all Greek Orthodox monasteries in the United States at a meeting in Texas. The meeting was attended by representatives from all Greek Orthodox monasteries gathered at Kendalia, Texas, for the official opening of a local Monastery dedicated to the Archangels.

Based on the principles of the monastic order and tradition of Mount Athos, the new uniform charter, once completed, is expected to constitute a turning point in the development of Orthodox monasticism in America.

As the Archbishop told ERA-5: "The objective of both sides, the Archdiocese and the monasteries, is to implement in all Greek Orthodox monasteries in the United States a single charter as soon as possible. This will constitute the general canonical framework within which the monasteries will operate. It is believed that the official adoption and implementation of such uniform charter by all monasteries will decisively contribute to the further development and growth of Greek Orthodox monasticism throughout the whole country."

Archbishop Spyridon in inaugurating a dialogue with all Greek Orthodox monasteries hopes that "monasticism which only recently has taken root in our Archdiocese and has ever since grown in an astonishing manner, will offer a decisive contribution to the overall ministry of the Church, and particularly to a more effective preservation of its genuine Greek Orthodox tradition."

After inaugurating the new Monastery dedicated to the Archangels, formerly a Muslim mosque, Archbishop Spyridon installed monk Dositheos as its first Abbot.

[ Translated from Greek ]

[ ΕΡΑ 5 - www.ert.gr/site/news/newsOmogenia.asp - November 8, 1998 ]