Archdiocesan Assembly-1993 - Vancouver - July 28-30, 1993

The Archdiocesan Assembly of 1993 took place in Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada, at the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus. The hosts of this assembly were Holy Resurrection Orthodox Sobor in Vancouver, British Columbia (led by Archpriest Andrey Somow), and Saint Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Surrey, British Columbia (led by Archpriest Lawrence Farley).

Aerial view of the University of British Columbia, Vancouver in the background

UBC Graduate School

The Archdiocesan Assembly was convened on 28-30 July, 1993, at the Graduate Student Centre of the University of British Columbia. Participants were housed in student residences. On this occasion, there was not a representative present from the Central Administration of The Orthodox Church in America. Participating in this assembly were : Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) ; 17 clergy delegates ; 19 lay delegates ; 19 observers.

At Holy Resurrection Sobor, Archpriest Andrey Somow served on the planning committee ; Matushka Henriette was responsible for art and music ; Father Evan was in charge of public relations and the banquet. Michael Andruff supervised the details of registration and welcome. David Kelly took care of audio and video documentation.

The Clergy Synaxis (which preceded the assembly) was hosted by Holy Resurrection Church, in the church hall.

A good amount of work had been done previous to the assembly in assessing the history of the archdiocese, the spiritual and economic state of the parishes, the financial situation of the archdiocese, the relationship between the Archdiocese of Canada and the Central Administration of The Orthodox Church in America, the relationship between the Archdiocese of Canada and the other Orthodox Christian diocese in Canada, and most importantly, the missionary purpose of the archdiocese and its fostering. Besides the usual and necessary administrative reports, elections, and resolutions, there were 2 "workshops". The first considered the important subject of "Diocesan Communication" (a historical and present challenge in the context of the vastness of the diocese, despite more rapid means of communication in the present). The second subject, "Orthodoxy and Culture", included the main presentation by Professor Daniel Sahas of University.

Many details regarding the assembly were published in “The Canadian Orthodox Messenger” :

“Canadian Orthodox Messenger”, Autumn, 1993.

In July, 1993, a special issue of the “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” presented profiles of the parishes of the diocese at that time.

In October, 1993, a special issue of the “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” published the text of the address by Professor Daniel Sahas, ‘The Church and Canadian Culture Today’, which he presented at the assembly.

Holy Resurrection Sobor

The site of Saint Herman's Church in 1993