JACKSONVILLE, FL – Clergy and lay delegates from across the Diocese of the South gathered July 20th-24th for the 49th Diocesan Assembly, hosted by the North Florida Deanery. Assembly sessions were held at the Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach, while liturgical services took place at Annunciation Orthodox Church and St. Justin Martyr Orthodox Church. Archpriest Theodore Pisarchuk, Dean of the North Florida Deanery, led the effort to secure the Assembly venue overlooking Vilano Beach, just minutes from historic St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited European-established city in the United States.
Throughout the week, clergy, monastics, matushki, youth, and lay delegates gathered for worship, fellowship, theological reflection, and the work of the Church, giving thanks for Archbishop Alexander’s decade of archpastoral ministry while preparing for a new life of the Diocese.
The Assembly officially opened on Tuesday, July 21st, with registration, the opening plenary session, and Great Vespers. Later that evening, Archbishop Alexander delivered his farewell address, reflecting on his years of episcopal ministry and setting a tone of gratitude and hope that would carry throughout the week. Clergy, delegates, and guests then gathered for a welcome reception, renewing friendships and beginning the Assembly together.
The liturgical heart of the Assembly came on Wednesday, July 22nd, with the celebration of the Pontifical Divine Liturgy at Annunciation Orthodox Church on the Feast of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene. During the Divine Liturgy, Deacon Vassily Kocher was elevated to the rank of Protodeacon in recognition of his many years of faithful service to the Church. Fathers David Wooten and Seraphim Joa were elevated to the dignity of Archpriest, while Archpriest David Arnold was presented with the jeweled pectoral cross. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Annunciation Mission was elevated to parish status in recognition of the faithful ministry of Archpriest Oleksii Rukavytsia, Matushka Olesia, and the good people of Annunciation. Following the Divine Liturgy and brunch, delegates reconvened for the second plenary session before gathering that evening for deanery dinners.
The Assembly’s attention then turned toward the Church’s missionary calling and the strengthening of parish life. On Thursday morning, the clergy gathered with His Eminence Archbishop Alexander, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, and His Grace Bishop Gerasim for a clergy breakfast. During the gathering, the bishops reflected on the life of the Church, emphasizing that the Church is, by her very nature, missionary and encouraging the clergy to continue fostering that missionary spirit within their own parishes.
Building on that theme, Dr. Nathan Hoppe delivered two presentations centered on the life and mission of the local Eucharistic community. In his first lecture, The Eight Marks of a Vibrant Local Eucharistic Community, he drew upon decades of missionary experience in Albania to describe the essential characteristics of healthy Orthodox parish life. He identified eight interconnected marks of a thriving parish: Eucharistic life, community life, Christian formation, stewardship, governance, evangelism, philanthropy, and cultural incarnation, emphasizing that healthy communities are formed not simply through programs, but through lives continually transformed by Christ.
“We are not saved by knowing. We are saved by being transformed.”
Download Recording of “The Eight Marks of a Vibrant Local Eucharistic Community” Here
During his second presentation, Apostolic Identity of the Local Eucharistic Community, Dr. Hoppe challenged delegates to recognize that the Church’s missionary vocation belongs to every parish. He explained that to confess the Church as apostolic is not only to affirm continuity with the Apostles, but also to recognize that the Church continues to be sent into the world to make disciples and establish vibrant Eucharistic communities rooted in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
“We are apostolic because we continue to be sent.”
Download Recording of “Apostolic Identity of the Local Eucharistic Community” Here
The Assembly also provided opportunities for fellowship and mutual encouragement beyond the plenary sessions. On Thursday afternoon, Matushki Roxanne Rucker and Lee Ann Pisarchuk organized a special luncheon for the clergy wives and the hierarchs, seating one bishop at each table to encourage conversation about the unique joys and challenges of priestly family life. Throughout the week, children and youth also participated in a dedicated program organized by Priests David Galloway and Jacob Hatch, allowing families to participate fully in the Assembly while providing meaningful activities for the Diocese’s youngest members.
Following Great Vespers on Thursday evening, the Holy Synod of Bishops convened in a special session under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. In accordance with the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America, the Holy Synod formally declared the See of Dallas and the South vacant and appointed His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth as Locum Tenens of the Diocese of the South, effective immediately. As Locum Tenens, Bishop Gerasim will oversee the Diocese until the election, canonical confirmation, and enthronement of its next ruling bishop, ensuring continuity in the life and administration of the Diocese during this period of transition.
Later that evening, the Diocese gathered for a banquet honoring His Eminence Archbishop Alexander and celebrating his ten years of archpastoral leadership as Archbishop of Dallas and the South. The head table included His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, His Eminence Archbishop Alexander, His Grace Bishop Gerasim, Diocesan Chancellor Archpriest Marcus Burch, OCA Secretary Archpriest David Bozeman, Diocesan Secretary Archpriest Peter Robichau, Archpriest Jason Foster, Allison Nix, and Mary Harkins.
Throughout the evening, various clergy offered heartfelt reflections on Archbishop Alexander’s ministry, recalling his humility, kindness, fatherly care, and unwavering commitment to the life of the Diocese. The banquet concluded with prayers for God’s continued blessings upon His Eminence in retirement and profound gratitude for his decade of faithful archpastoral service.
On Friday morning, July 24th, delegates gathered at St. Justin Martyr Orthodox Church for a Moleben before the Special Nominating Assembly. Following prayerful deliberation, the clergy and lay delegates unanimously selected His Grace Bishop Gerasim as their nominee for election as Bishop of Dallas and the South. The nomination will now be presented to the Holy Synod of Bishops for consideration during its Regular Fall 2026 Session, at which time the canonical election of the next Bishop of Dallas and the South will take place, God willing.
Reflecting on the Assembly and the Diocese’s next steps, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon said:
“The Diocese of the South has been greatly blessed through the devoted archpastoral ministry of Archbishop Alexander, whose faithful service has strengthened the life of the Church for many years. As the Diocese now enters a new chapter, I ask the clergy, monastics, and faithful throughout the Orthodox Church in America to continue praying that the Holy Spirit will guide the Diocese, Bishop Gerasim in his service as Locum Tenens, and the members of the Holy Synod as they prepare to consider the election of a new diocesan bishop. May the Lord grant His abundant grace, wisdom, and peace to all during this important time of transition.”
Metropolitan Tikhon also expressed his gratitude to the clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Diocese of the South for the spirit of prayer, unity, and cooperation demonstrated throughout both the Diocesan Assembly and the Special Nominating Assembly.
As the Diocese of the South begins this new chapter, the clergy and faithful ask for the continued prayers of the Orthodox Church in America for Bishop Gerasim in his ministry as Locum Tenens, for the Holy Synod as it prepares to consider the canonical election of the next diocesan bishop, and for the continued growth of the Diocese in faith, unity, and service to Christ, in whom all glory is due.
See the Full Assembly Photo Gallery Below: