The Orthodox Canon Law Society of North America (OCLS)

Press Release by The Rev. Dr. Patrick Viscuso
From October 13-14, 2023, the Orthodox Canon Law Society of North America (OCLS) held an inaugural workshop and its first organizational meeting at the Maliotis Center, located on the campus of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA.
During a reception on the evening of October 13, George Cantonis, President of Hellenic College Holy Cross, warmly welcomed the participants to the campus. Likewise, the Very Rev. Dr. Patrick Viscuso, President of the OCLS, extended a welcome and offered his vision for the Society. He set forth the central point that the OCLS is incorporated as an independent non-profit academic Society and is not affiliated with any Orthodox jurisdiction or with the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the United States.
The principal purposes of the Society are to cultivate a new generation of Orthodox Christian canonists and promote canonical study and research in North America; respond to canonical needs; encourage cooperation with individuals and organizations conducting research in related fields; establish meaningful dialogues with other organizations dedicated to canonical studies; and provide a venue for the presentation of papers embodying current research on all aspects of Orthodox canonical studies and for discussion of canonical praxis in a professional setting.
These conferences will gather scholars, professors, clergy, seminarians, graduate students, and attorneys, who will all be invited to contribute papers and discussion. The Society is Pan-Orthodox as well as unrestricted in denominational affiliation. All those interested in the academic study of Orthodox canon law are invited to join the Society.
Also speaking at the welcome reception were the Rev. Dn. Andrei Psarev, Vice President of the OCLS and Professor of Canon Law at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville; the Very Rev. Fadi Rabbat, Dean of the Antiochian House of Studies; and many other participants, including Dr. Lewis Patsavos, Emeritus Professor of Canon Law, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. The Antiochian House of Studies is the first academic institution to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to support the aims of the OCLS.
On Saturday, October 14, the OCLS held its inaugural workshop and organizational meeting. The workshop keynote, titled “Myths and Realities Related to the Pan-Orthodox Congress of 1923,” was presented by Fr. Patrick Viscuso. The lecture represented the first conference-length critical academic presentation in the English language on this subject. Responses were given by Dn. Andrei Psarev and Fr. Bartholomew Mercado, Professor of Canon Law and Chaplain at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.
Following the workshop and a lunch, an organizational meeting of the Society was held at which the totality of the Society’s Board was formed:
President - Fr. Patrick Viscuso
Vice-President - Dn. Andrei Psarev
Secretary - Laura Wilson
Treasurer - Fr. Bartholomew Mercado
Board Member - Dr. Lewis Patsavos
Board Member - Dr. Despina Prassas
Board Member - Christos Linardakis
During the meeting, Fr. Patrick Viscuso set forth the goal of holding the first conference of the OCLS in twelve months. In addition, plans were announced for a website to be online within two weeks. Dues were announced as $50.00 for regular membership and $20.00 for students and those with financial constraints. During the organizational meeting, many attendees joined the Society as founding members. In addition, email applications for membership were received from throughout North America and internationally.
For additional information on membership and the future plans of the OCLS, please contact Fr. Patrick Viscuso and Fr. Bartholomew Mercado at [e-mail]

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Nice to see Father Patrick! I remember when he used to serve regularly at the ROCOR cathedral, that is, until 2019, when the Russian Orthodox Church severed communion with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. That wasn't just a canon ball shot across the bow of the Greek Orthodox. That was direct fire. It is good to see this detente between Father Patrick and Father Deacon Andrei.