According to the Constitution of our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, I hereby call and bless the convocation of the 19th REGULAR SOBOR of our Church. The Sobor will take place at our Metropolia Center of St. Andrew in South Bound Brook/Somerset, NJ, 27-31 October 2010. The Sobor will be preceded by a Metropolitan Council Meeting on 25 October and a one-day Clergy Conference on 26 October.
The theme for our Sobor is: “O Lord, Bless Thine Inheritance” (Troparion of the Holy Cross). The Cross of our Lord signifies much more than our ultimate salvation or the depth of love God has always exhibited for us – the “masterpiece” of His creation. The Cross, “by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified upon it” (Evening Prayers), casts away the demons from His Inheritance – His people – granting them victory over their adversaries throughout the arduous earthly journey. We are blessed repeatedly in our lives and we must willfully accept these blessings, which enable us to, in turn, bless the lives of others. We grow through these blessings, moving ever closer to Theosis – becoming one with God – so that our very being radiates holiness. The people of God literally throbbed with that holiness and in comprehension of their mission to lead others to salvation. In our blessed holiness, we will grow in Christ’s Body and continue to positively affect the world we live in. We – the people of God – can move the mountains that must be moved to make society responsive to our Creator – to Him Who blesses abundantly.
We have much to consider during this Sobor. We stand at a crucial crossroads in the life and history of our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. We weathered the early days of the current economic downturn in our nation fairly well. We are now, however, faced with the most difficult financial circumstances we have ever known in the life of our Church. The last two years of seemingly unending decrease in income – from all sources – is taking and will continue to take an enormous toll on our ability to continue the ambitious ministry program we have developed over the past fifteen years. This is one of those mountains we need to move and it will take the will and the effort of all of us to do so.
Your participation in all aspects of the Sobor is an absolute necessity. Your contribution to the strengthening of our Ukrainian Orthodox Church here in the United States of America is essential. Our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents came to build a new life in this great nation and they centered that life on the Truth of God’s Word – in far more difficult circumstances than we know today. Let us follow their example now, living in the blessings of God – to ensure the legacy we must pass on to our own children and grandchildren!
The election of parish delegates, which must be accomplished, according to our Church Constitution, at a parish meeting, should be completed by the end of June so that those delegates might well prepare for the work of this Sobor. Our future depends upon representation from all our parishes. The Pre-Sobor commission has begun the task of preparing for our triennial convocation and you will receive all necessary and detailed information from them. I ask that you adhere to all deadlines set for the Sobor.
May the Holy Spirit guide all our deliberations and efforts during this Sobor, uniting us in “one mind and one heart” so that all we attempt to accomplish will be for the Glory of God and the salvation of souls.
With Love in our Lord,
+ Constantine, Metropolitan
