UKASE
To Rectors of Parishes and Communities of the Diocese of Eastern America and New York

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, a Diocesan Assembly of the Diocese of Eastern America and New York is to be held at St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell (Lakewood), NJ, on October 8/21 2005.

The main goal of this Diocesan Assembly is to select delegates to represent our Diocese at the IV All-Diaspora Council. In accordance with the decision of the Synod of Bishops and the practice of previous All-Diaspora Councils, Reverend Rectors are directed, at a General Parish Meeting, or if that is difficult, at a Parish Council Meeting, to announce the forthcoming IV All-Diaspora Council, and to hold elections of delegates from their parishes for the Diocesan Assembly.

Parish delegates must be chosen from among parishioners who are active in church life and are helpful to the Church. The number of parish delegates is to correspond to the number of clergymen assigned to the parish (if there is one clergyman assigned, then one parish delegate is sent to the Diocesan Assembly). The list of delegates is presented to the diocesan bishop for confirmation.

Reverend Rectors, clergymen and representatives of the laity are to arrive at the Diocesan Assembly at 9:30 am in time for a moleben before the commencement of the meetings. At 10 am, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus will open the Assembly, after which Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, Secretary of the Commission on discussions with the Moscow Patriarchate, will speak. Following this will be a report from the Pre-Council Committee which is organizing the IV All-Diaspora Council. After lunch, the participants of the Diocesan Assembly will begin the election of delegates to represent the Diocese at the IV All-Diaspora Council

.+Bishop Gabriel
August 2/15 2005