Bp. Thomas of Charleston

The 2009 Road to Unity conference held at Antiochian Village in October 2009. The format was “conversational” in nature with panels, questions, and interaction between the attendees. Recorded by Ancient Faith Radio.

Metropolitan Jonah – Unity in Our Time (38:10)
OCA Primate Met Jonah gives the keynote address at the OCL Road to Unity conference.

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New Face of American Orthodoxy – Alexei Kindratch (36:04)
Alexei Krindatch is a director for research with the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkley, CA.

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Panel 1 – Orthodox Unity at Work and in Service (64:56)

The moderator for all of the panels is Fr. John Cassar from Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church in Princeton, NJ.

This panel focused on responding to real needs including educational and outreach programs that demonstrate the Unity of the Orthodox Christian Church in America.

Panelists:
Fr. Justin Matthews – Director of Focus North America
Sister Sarah Elizabeth Oftedal – Co-founder and Housemother of the Martha and Mary House
Bryan Smith – Headmaster of St. Peter’s Classical School in Ft.Worth, TX

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Panel 2 – Unity at Many Levels (71:07)

The legacy of Ligonier 1994 and beyond. Where are we 15 years after this event and how are we overcoming resistance to unity here and abroad?

Panelists:
His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel – Archbishop of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
Teva Regule – Managing editor of St. Nina quarterly, MA in Divinity Holy Cross Seminary and Computer Network Manager at MIT
Fr. Nick Apostola – St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Shrewsbury, MA and Secretary of the Romanian Archdiocese as well as Secretary of the Study and Planning Commission of SCOBA.

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Panel 3 – An Accountable and Canonical Unified Orthodox Church of Tomorrow (67:49)

Focusing on conciliar governance and transparency issues and the ability to successfully overcome corruption within the system and move ahead.

Panelists:
Deacon John Zarras – Member of the Metropolitan Council of the OCA
George Karcazes – A practicing attorney in Chicago and a founder of OCL as well as an active board member of the GOA
Peter J. Petkas – Presidient of OCL since 2007 with a career in government and business

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Panel 4 – Orthodoxy and American Culture (64:31)

What does it mean to be an Orthodox Christian in America? How do our churches come to see themselves as missions within the community? How should we educate Americans to see Orthodoxy as the roots of Christianity?

Panelists:
Bishop Melchisedeck- Diocese of Pittsburgh and Western PA (OCA)
Fr. Hans Jacobse – Pastor of St. Paul Orthodox Mission in Ft. Meyers and founder of the American Orthodox Institute
George Pontikes – Attorney and OCL board member from Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL

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Panel 5 – Youth (59:16)

What experiences do we provide our youth to educate them to be Orthodox Christians and to retain them in the Church?

Panelists:
Bishop Thomas – Diocese of Charleston, Oakland, and the Mid-Atlantic (Antiochian)
Fr. Antonio Perdomo – Pastor of St. George the Great Martyr (OCA) in Pharr, TX and Chaplain of St. Peter the Aleut Summer Youth Camp
Christopher Shadid – Senior at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Psychology and Business

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Panel 6 – Orthodox Communications (53:28)

Building on Orthodox Christian internet ministry and the media.

Panelists:
Fr. Hans Jacobse -See earlier panel for bio
Fr. Peter Michael Preble -Pastor of St. Michael Orthodox Church in Southbridge, MA and involved in blogs, podcasting and terrestrial radio
John Maddex – CEO of Conciliar Media Ministries and founder of Ancient Faith Radio

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Panel 7 – The Great and Holy Council (70:12)

What does it mean for a unified Church in America? What does unity mean for the ancient Patriarchates?

Panelists:
Nicholas Katich – attorney who helped orchestrate the re-unification of the Serbian Church in America in the early 90’s
Peter Marudas – served as Admin Assistant to Senator Paul Sarbanes and authored the 2006 paper “New Strategy Needed to Save Endangered Ecumenical Patriarchate”
Metropolitan Jonah – primate of the Orthodox Church in America
Fr. Nick Apostola – See Panel 2 for bio

Wrap up comments were made by OCL Executive Director George Matsoukas, outgoing OCL President Peter Petkas, and incoming OCL President William Souvall.