06/12/2026
๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ง: ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐โ๐ฌ ๐
๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐
๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐๐จ๐ฑ ๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ฌ
EDMONTON:โ In a historic milestone, marking the first time a SCOOCH meeting has been held in Canada, our church had the distinct honour of hosting the preliminary meeting of the SCOOCH Alberta Unit on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. This landmark gathering brought together distinguished clergy and lay leaders to lay the foundation for a regional unit of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCH) in Alberta.
The preparatory conference was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop & Patriarchal Vicar of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America, who also serves as a member of the SCOOCH Core Delegate Team in North America. The session focused on preliminary discussions regarding the common challenges faced by our churches, exploring areas of cooperation, unity, and fellowship.
During the meeting, an ad-hoc committee was officially formed to coordinate the future activities and arrangements of the regional unit. The committee will be led by Rev. Fr. Rewis Rofaiel as Chairperson, with Fr. Thomas K. Poothicote serving as Secretary, and Fr. Paulos Tekeste serving as Coordinator.
The gathering was attended by representatives from four ancient Oriental Orthodox traditions. The Coptic Orthodox Church was represented by Fr. Rewis Rofaiel and Deacon Basil Elyas. The Eritrean Orthodox Church was represented by Fr. Semere Sibhatu, Fr. Debretsion Araya, Fr. Paulos Tekeste, Mergieta Tiewodros, Mergieta Teklemariam, and Tadese Zemikaiel. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church was represented by Fr. Mezmir Kassa, Fr. Fasil Mulugeta, and Mr Shimes Meresa. As the host parish, the Syriac Orthodox Church delegation was led by our Vicar and President, Fr. Thomas K. Poothicote, and included Fr. Varghese Thekkekara, Fr. Jacob T. I. representing the Knanaya Archdiocese, Deacon Dr Sinoj Abraham, Deacon Dr Jobin Chacko, Mr Abi Nellickal, and Mr Basil Mathew. The Armenian Orthodox Church was also represented in the discussions through communication with its leadership, who expressed their interest in participating in the future growth and development of the SCOOCH Alberta Unit
The assembly expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Event Coordination Committee and volunteers for their dedication to making this historic gathering a success. The faithful are requested to continue offering prayers for the growth of unity, fellowship, and cooperation among the Oriental Orthodox Churches through the newly established SCOOCH Alberta Unit.
