Decision Number Ex 14-2/2022, Date: 17 October…
2022-10-18
Decision Number Ex 14-2/2022, Date: 17 October 2022
As His Grace, Bishop BASIL (Essey), addressed a letter on May 18, 2021 to His Beatitude and to Their Eminences the members of the Holy Synod, requesting their blessing and consent for him to retire at the end of 2021, for health reasons; and as His Beatitude had asked His Grace to continue his episcopal ministry serving the Archdiocese of North America, until the convening of the Holy Synod of Antioch in order to take the appropriate decision regarding his retirement; and having examined his request,
The Holy Antiochian Synod has decided to:
First: Consider the retirement request of His Grace Bishop BASIL (Essey) effective from the date of the issuance of this present decision, and to thank him for his Church ministry serving the Antiochian See and the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America;
Second: Request from Bishop Basil, in accordance with the practiced ecclesiastical procedures upon a bishop’s retirement, absolutely not to perform or participate in any clerical ordination, and to determine, in coordination with the Patriarchal Vicar upon his appointment, and with the Metropolitan of the Archdiocese upon his election, the parish church in which he will permanently celebrate the Divine Liturgy; and to request from him absolutely not to perform any liturgical, sacramental, or sanctification service, within the Archdiocese of North America, and in any other Archdiocese, except by obtaining the necessary permission from the Metropolitan of the Archdiocese, in accordance with the known ecclesiastical procedures; provided that he mentions in the divine services the name of the Patriarch of Antioch followed by the name of the Metropolitan of the Archdiocese. Also, it generally applies to the retired arch-pastor whatever applies to arch-pastors in terms of their travel or service in another church and in terms of foreign relations;
Third: Offer prayers for the good health and long life of Bishop BASIL (Essey), asking God to embrace him in His grace and mercy.