BATH, PA [DOEPA COMMUNICATIONS]

Dear Rev. Fathers, Diocesan Council Members, and Department Chairs,

The 61st Diocesan Assembly will be held on Thursday and Friday, January 23 and 24, 2025, at St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church, Wilmington, DE. All our active clergy, parish delegates and department chairs are required to attend this Assembly. Registration will begin on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. followed by the formal opening of the Assembly at 4:00 p.m., dinner at 5:00 p.m., and Daily Vespers will be at 6:00 p.m. Every parish is required to send a delegate. The agenda is attached and will also be posted on our website (www.doepa.org).

All those attending may make their reservations by calling Christiana Hilton at (302) 454-1500 and request reservations for Jan 23 under "St Michael's Orthodox Church". Rooms are $129 per night with a choice of 2 queen or 1 king bed. More info on the hotel here: https://www.hiltonchristiana.com/ Reservations must be made by December 23, 2024, to get this rate. We cannot guarantee the room rates after that date.

Please complete the attached Document of Certification for your Lay Delegate for the 61st Diocesan Assembly and submit it to the Diocesan Office as soon as possible, but no later than December 20, 2024. Assembly observers are welcome to attend with the blessing of the parish priest. The Document of Certification for Observers should also be completed, signed, and returned to the Diocesan Chancery no later than December 20, 2024.

We ask that the Deans, Treasurer, Auditors, Metropolitan Council Representatives, Diocesan Council Secretary, Liturgical Life Committee, Missions, Office of Young Adult Activities, and the Communications Department to prepare their reports and forward them to the Diocesan Chancery electronically (dioceseoepa@gmail.com) no later than December 15, 2024 for posting on the Diocesan Website.

Please remember that in order to participate in the Assembly meetings parishes must be current with their monthly diocesan support. Thank you for your prompt attention to these matters. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. May you enjoy a Joyous Nativity and a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed New Year!

Yours unworthy father in Christ,

+Mark

Archbishop of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania