May 31, 2011

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During the meeting of the Holy Synod in Chicago, IL, on May 24-27, His Grace Bishop Nikon, as Locum Tenens of the Diocese of the South, conveyed Bishop Mark’s request to be relieved of  his duties as administrator of the Diocese of the South as well as other diocesan responsibilities given to him previously. The Holy Synod accepted Bishop Nikon’s recommendations concerning Bishop Mark. Bishop Mark remains as a guest in the Diocese of the South.  In addition to his visits to the Dallas area, His Grace Nikon has visited with the clergy and faithful in the South Florida, Orlando, and Carolinas Deaneries. On Monday and Tuesday, May 30 and 31, His Grace chaired a meeting of the deans to facilitate and finalize the procedures to be followed by the Episcopal Search Committee of the Diocese of the South.  During this two-day meeting, Bishop Nikon appointed Archpriest Marcus Burch as chancellor of the Diocese of the South. Fr. Marcus’ duties as Rector of St John of the Ladder Orthodox Church in Greenville, SC, and Dean of the Carolinas remain the same. Furthermore, upon recommendation of the deans, Bishop Nikon appointed the Archpriest Theodore Pisarchuk to be Missions Coordinator of the Diocese of the South.