Authority and Relativity
The Archdiocese is the only canonical and legal certifying entity for the establishment of churches, cathedrals, chapels, congregations, communities, fellowships, societies, parishes, missions, committees, seminaries, monasteries, convents, schools, hospitals and other organizations and institutions within its territorial boundaries which are comprised of members of the Orthodox Christian Faith claiming affiliation or association with the Italo-Greek Orthodox Church.
All persons, or groups of persons, of Italo-Greek Orthodox heritage must submit a petition to the Metropolitan of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas and Canada for permission to establish a church, chapel, congregation, community, society, parish, mission, community, fellowship, monastery, convent, school, hospital or other institution or organization within the territorial boundaries of the Archdiocese and claiming affiliation or association with the Italo-Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas and Canada.
The Consistory of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas and Canada communicates the decision of the Metropolitan regarding the petition and effects the legal ecclesiastical establishment of the entity in accordance with the provisions of Canon Law.
It should be noted that civil incorporation of the entity is not required under civil law. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Incorporation under civil law constitutes a subjugation of the Church to the State and violates the separation of Church and State. The authority of the Church to exist and carry out its mission does not derive from any civil government including the federal government or any state or local government but from Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Head of the Church. Parishes, missions, communities, fellowships, monasteries and convents wishing to incorporate may file a copy of the ecclesiastical charter issued by the Archdiocese together with a copy of the Letter of Canonical Foundation or Establishment issued by the Metropolitan with local civil government authorities as a point of information only.
Ministerial Services
The Archdiocese ensures that all members of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Church living within the territorial boundaries of the Archdiocese are provided with adequate and proper ministerial services. The Archdiocese carries out its responsibility for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the souls entrusted to its care by ensuring opportunities for worship, religious education, apostolic service and fellowship in accordance with the rites, faith, doctrine, rituals, discipline, canon law, traditions and usages of the universal and holy Orthodox Catholic Faith as they are lived and experienced in the Italo-Greek Orthodox Church.
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Ecclesiastical, Canonical and Temporal Responsibilities
In addition to the spiritual supervision of persons and places under its jurisdiction, the Archdiocese also provides for the training of priests and deacons and other clergy for service to the churches, cathedrals, chapels, congregations, missions, communities, societies, fellowships, parishes, committees, seminaries, monasteries, convents, schools and hospitals of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas and Canada as well as other entities apart from the Archdiocese.
The Archdiocese carries out its divine mandate of apostolic service and corporal works of mercy, including the care of the sick and homeless, through various centralized programs, ministries and organizations.
It is the responsibility of the Archdiocese to safeguard and administer the spiritual and temporal resources and assets of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Church within the territorial boundaries of the Archdiocese in strict conformance with traditional Orthodox Christian beliefs, practices and discipline.
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