49th Diocesan Assembly Honors Archbishop Alexander, Nominates Bishop Gerasim for Vacant See

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…