March 16, 2012
Columbia, SC: Archpriest Mark Mancuso participated in the OCA Carolinas Deanery Meeting

On Monday, March 5, diocesan cleric Archpriest Mark Mancuso (rector of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr Church in Columbia, SC) attended the OCA Carolinas Deanery Meeting held at Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in West Columbia, SC. Fr. Mark was graciously invited to this meeting by the OCA’s Chancellor of the Diocese of the South, Archpriest Marcus Burch, who presided over the meeting. Also in attendance was Archpriest John Behr, Professor in Patristics and Dean of St Vladimir’s Seminary (OCA).

During the meeting, Fr. John shared a presentation that he had given to the seminarians of St Vladimir’s during the first week of Great Lent. His talk focused on the role of the priest in the parish as it relates to preparing the faithful for a Christian death: that true Life is opened to us by Christ’s death. Also discussed was the Church’s understanding of the Old Testament as interpreted through the crucified and risen Christ, and the shortcomings of the modern interpretations of Scripture. An engaging discussion ensued as many of the clergy asked questions and shared their observations on the topics.

Fr. Mark was satisfied with the fruitful results of the meeting and noted the significance of a ROCOR cleric attending an OCA deanery meeting for the first time.

"This was the first time I was formally invited to an OCA meeting of this kind. I believe that this shows the positive fruits of our reunification with the Moscow Patriarchate: that I was able to participate in such a meeting; that resources were able to be shared as I was able to hear a presentation from a renowned scholar of Patristics; and that I was able to share my experiences and insights with them, which they very much appreciated as we are beginning to get to know one another."

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