U.S. bishops call for Church unity on Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy
The Assembly of Bishops of the USA has issued an encyclical for the Triumph of Orthodoxy on Church unity, veneration of icons, and support for pan-Orthodox ministry.
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has issued an encyclical on the occasion of the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. The document is timed to the first Sunday of Great Lent and is dedicated to the restoration of holy icons and the unity of the Orthodox Church, reports the American branch of the UOJ with reference to the Eastern Diocese website.
The encyclical recalls the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787) and the restoration of icons under Empress St. Theodora, Emperor Michael III, and Patriarch St. Methodios, highlighting the triumph of faith over fear. Quoting St. Paul’s exhortation to be “united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor 1:10), the Assembly encourages Orthodox Christians to pursue unity and mutual grace within the Church.
Faithful are also invited to support the ministries of the Assembly through time, talent, and treasure, fostering Orthodox Christian unity nationwide.
The message was signed by the Chairman of the Assembly, Archbishop Elpidophoros (Constantinople Patriarchate), Vice-Chairman Metropolitan Saba (Antiochian Orthodox Church), as well as hierarchs of various jurisdictions that are part of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA.
