Identity Crisis: Has the Eastern American Diocese Set Course Away from Serbian Orthodox Jurisdiction?

By Special Correspondent

In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through Orthodox communities across America and prompted numerous inquiries from neighboring dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC), parishioners of the Eastern American Diocese recently faced a stunning departure from centuries-old church protocols: the reading of a pastoral letter from a foreign authority known as the Assembly of Canonical Bishops.

Most shockingly, this occurred on Orthodoxy Sunday—a feast dedicated to affirming Orthodox doctrinal unity and traditional jurisdictional boundaries. The profound irony of choosing this day to introduce a practice of inter-jurisdictionalism has not been lost on the faithful.

Crossed Boundaries

According to multiple witnesses at liturgies across the diocese, clergy were instructed to read a letter signed by Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Church in America on behalf of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops. This directive has raised serious questions about jurisdictional boundaries and ecclesiastical authority.

“This has never happened before in the history of our Church,” noted a senior member of a prominent parish who requested anonymity due to fear of repercussions. “A letter from outside our jurisdiction being read as if it carries the authority of our Holy Synod—it’s unprecedented and deeply troubling.”

Church historians and canon law experts consulted by this publication confirmed that such inter-jurisdictional impositions are exceptional and potentially problematic from both theological and administrative perspectives.

Growing Influence of the Assembly

At the heart of this controversy is the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, an organization increasingly positioning itself as a pan-Orthodox authority in America. While founded to facilitate coordination and cooperation among Orthodox jurisdictions, critics express concern that it may be evolving into something more—a de facto ecclesiastical authority attempting to supersede the traditional jurisdictional structure of Orthodox churches.

“The Assembly was meant to be consultative, not authoritative,” explained a theologian familiar with Orthodox ecclesiastical structures. “Each jurisdiction—Serbian, Greek, Russian, Antiochian, and others—maintains its connection to its mother church. The Assembly was not created to issue binding decisions that bypass these traditional lines of authority.”

Yet, sources indicate that Bishop Irinej not only actively participates in this body but has begun implementing its decisions within the Eastern American Diocese as though they carry the weight of directives from the Serbian Orthodox Church itself.

Question of Identity

For many faithful Serbian Orthodox Christians, these events raise serious questions about their ecclesiastical identity and the future direction of their diocese.

“We have always been part of the Serbian Orthodox Church, with our own traditions, liturgical practices, and hierarchical structure that traces back to Belgrade,” said a parishioner of St. Archangel Michael Church. “Now we’re being asked to accept instructions and guidelines from an entirely different jurisdiction. It makes us wonder—are we still truly Serbian Orthodox, or are we being led toward something else?”

This concern is further amplified by reports that this directive to read the letter was issued only in the Eastern American Diocese, not in other Serbian Orthodox dioceses across North America or globally—suggesting a singular deviation rather than a church-wide policy shift.

Pattern of Governance Concerns

This crossing of jurisdictional boundaries comes amid already growing concerns about governance within the Eastern American Diocese, including:

• Questions of financial management involving millions of dollars from timber operations

• Tax obligations on properties, including Marcha Monastery

• Controversial appointments of parish boards in multiple churches

• Allegations of bypassing established administrative procedures

For many observers, these various issues may reflect a troubling pattern: a diocese potentially drifting from its historical foundations.

Where to Next?

As Pascha approaches—a time that typically emphasizes unity among Orthodox faithful—many Serbian Orthodox Christians are asking fundamental questions about where their diocese is headed.

“We’re not opposed to cooperation with other Orthodox jurisdictions,” emphasized a parish council member. “But there’s a vast difference between friendly ecumenical relations and submitting to external ecclesiastical authorities. One respects our traditions; the other potentially erases them.”

With complaints already sent to the Holy Synod in Belgrade regarding governance issues, this latest jurisdictional controversy adds new urgency to questions about the future direction of the Eastern American Diocese and its relationship with the broader body of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Editor’s Note: This publication has requested comment from the diocese leadership regarding these jurisdictional matters and will update this report if a response is received.