NEW YORK: February 5, 2018
The First Meeting of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia Centenary Working Group

In preparation for the commencement of the work of the Synodal Commission for the organization and celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Russian Church Abroad, Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America, Chair of the Commission, held a preliminary working meeting at the Synod of Bishops Building in New York on January 23, 2018. Present at the meeting were Archpriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops, Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur, Professor Nicholas Ganson and Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Secretary of the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America.

Archbishop Peter was appointed the head of this commission by the Synod of Bishops in June 2017 with the right to invite others, as he sees fit, to participate in the work of the commission. His Eminence appointed Archpriest Gregory Joyce the Secretary of the Commission, and Archpriest Serafim Gan and Professor Nicholas Ganson a members of the commission. Other members of the commission are Archpriest Peter Perekrestov, Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur, and Mr Peter Fekula.

The dynamic meeting, which lasted several hours, was marked by a spirit of enthusiasm and eagerness at the opportunity to work for the glory of God and the good of His Church in marking this important jubilee. Several possibilities for the celebration and the potential activities surrounding it were discussed and duties were assigned in preparation for the working group's next meeting in March 2018. A report to the full commission will be provided in preparation for the March meeting. The centenary celebrations will, God willing, take place in 2020.