The U.S. Assembly of Orthodox Bishops celebrated the Solemnity of Orthodoxy with a call for unity

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has issued an important message on the occasion of the Solemnity of Orthodoxy Day, emphasizing the continuing importance of unity in the life of the Church and calling the faithful to active participation in the Assembly’s ministries. According to Orthodox Times, the address is a key reminder of the historical significance of the feast and its relevance to contemporary Orthodoxy in America.

In their message, the hierarchs reflect on the First Sunday of Lent, which joyfully celebrates the restoration of holy icons to the life of the Church. The feast, as the Assembly reminds us, celebrates the unity established by the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787) and the final restoration of the icons in 843 under the leadership of Empress St. Theodora, her son, Emperor Michael III, and Patriarch St. Methodius.

Drawing a parallel between this historic triumph and the contemporary mission of Orthodoxy in America, the bishops affirm that the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America continues this legacy, manifesting the same spirit of unity. In this context, they note that «Assembly of Bishops Sunday» is now celebrated nationwide along with Solemnity of Orthodoxy Day, further emphasizing the commitment to Orthodox Christian unity.

The message refers to the words of St. Paul to the Corinthians, reminding the faithful that the Apostle’s call remains relevant today. St. Paul urges the faithful to be «united in one mind and one judgment,» leaving no room for divisions (1 Corinthians 1:10). According to the bishops, this apostolic precept, along with the celebration of the Solemnity of Orthodoxy Day, shows that «the restoration of icons was more than a historical event — it was the restoration of the very unity of the Church.»

The hierarchs further describe the restoration of icons as «the victory of faith over fear and the reality of the incarnate God over a distant deity.» The veneration of holy icons, they explain, is inseparable from recognizing Christ in one another, «Just as we venerate holy icons, we are called to see the icon of Christ in one another.» Following the example of the saints of the eighth and ninth centuries, the faithful are called to overcome differences and «embrace the grace that unites us in the Body of Christ.»

As the Church celebrates both the Solemnity of Orthodoxy Day and the Sunday of the Assembly of Bishops, the hierarchs urge the faithful to become more familiar with the ministries of the Assembly and to actively support its work. They urge Orthodox Christians to strengthen efforts to achieve unity «through the ongoing and generous gifts of your time, talent and resources.»

Recall that earlier, Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), issued an official statement explaining the purpose of his recent visit to Washington, DC. In the statement, he condemned the distorted media coverage of the meetings and called for the defense of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) amid continued pressure.