نظام المجالس الملية الموّحد

THE UNIFIED LOCAL BYLAWS

OF

ARCHDIOCESES & PARISH COUNCILS

IMPLEMENTED BY ALL ARCHDIOCESSES

OF

THE SYRIAC ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ANTIOCH

Amended and endorsed by the Holy Synod meeting held on

March 28- April 03, 2000

In addition to amending ARTICLE 22 according to the Holy Synod

meeting 9-12 September 2003

And ARTICLE 5 Section B Verse 5 according to the Holy Synod meeting

on December 13, 2005

CHAPTER I: DEFINITIONS

Article 1:

The following defined terms shall be used in these Bylaws.

– The Council: The local Board of the Archdiocese and centers.

– The Council President: The Archbishop or the Patriarchal Vicar of the Archdiocese and other centers.

– Archdiocese Location: The city in which the Archbishop resides which will be followed by all other cities and churches.

– Archdiocese Institutions: Churches, Schools, Organizations, benevolent,

Social, Cultural, healthiness, Scouts, and Sporting Institutions, and all committees working through the Archdiocese.

CHAPTER II: FORMATION OF THE COUNCIL

Article 2:

The Council is a factual body working under the leadership of the Archbishop or the Patriarchal Vicar at the Archdiocese’s and/or any other location. It runs the administrative, financial and social matters of the Archdiocese, and works to lift its standard and preserve its rights, and implement decisions taken by the Holy Synod headed by his holiness the Patriarch.

Article 3:

One Council shall be formed at every location of the Archdioceses and major churches. Its numbers will not exceed 12 and not less than 5. Members shall either be appointed or elected, according to a decree issued by the Archdiocese Archbishop or the Patriarchal Vicar, and notify his holiness the Patriarch, in writing.

Article 4:

There shall be no more than one Council in every Archdiocese’s location except through a decree by his holiness the Patriarch, which would be due to an utmost necessity for the best interest of the Archdiocese.

Article 5:

Election or Appointment

a) It follows the direct election operation in forming the Council if possible – in case of impossibility or contradiction with the law of the land – the Archbishop or the Patriarchal Vicar will issue a decree nominating Council members after consulting well experienced parishioners and in compliance with ARTICLE 3 of these Bylaws.

b) Elected or appointed Council members (both sexes) must be:

1. A Syriac Orthodox.

2. Enjoying all church privileges and known to have good reputation and moral character.

3. Not convicted of any disgraceful crime.

4. Residing within the boundaries of the Archdiocese and being a member of his church for at least three years.

5. Not to be under 25 years of age and not to exceed 70 years.

6. Do not owe money to any of the church institutions he/she belongs to or other Archdiocese.

7. Fulfilling his membership dues.

8. Must be educated and adhering to the church’s commandments.

9. Not to be a member of any political organization or any civil society whose goals contradict the church Bylaws and constitution.

10. Not to be an active member of any other administrative institution of the Archdiocese.

11. Not to be an employee of the Archdiocese institutions.

c) A voter (both sexes) must be:

1. A Syriac Orthodox.

2. A member of the church where election or appointment takes place for a period not less than one year.

3. 18 years of age or older.

4. Enjoying all church privileges and not convicted of any disgraceful crime.

5. Fulfilling his membership dues.

6. Does not owe money to any of the Archdiocese institutions which he/she is a member of.

Article 6:

Election Announcement

a) At least, one month before the end of the current Council’s term, Archbishop of the Archdiocese shall announce election date twice or more. A suitable day shall be chosen for election to be held at the Archdiocese headquarters or any other location where election is announced.

b) The candidate will announce his/her candidacy via written letter and in compliance with conditions stated in ARTICLE 5 of these Bylaws. An acknowledgment receipt will be issued for him.

c) Deadline for candidacy will be Eight days before elections.

d) The names of eligible candidates will be announced on the bulletin board the morning after deadline closing date.

e) A candidate whose candidacy is being rejected, has the right to file a complaint with the head of the Archdiocese whose decision shall be final.

f) A Three Members Committee shall be appointed by the head of the Archdiocese and the current Council to supervise election operation. Every candidate has the right to nominate one person to watch election operation.

g) Election should start on the designated time and date after election box is opened by the supervising committee in front of all attendants to make sure it is empty. Then closed, sealed and election operation starts until the designated time of closure. Counting of votes should start immediately after election is completely done.

h) Eligible voters who comply with conditions stated in section C of ARTICLE 5 shall cast their votes in one ballot after registering their names in the list of voters.

Article 7:

Counting Votes And Announcing Results

a) Immediately after completion of election, the Election Supervising Committee shall open the Election Box and make sure that number of votes is equal to the number of voters whose names are listed in the voters register. Then, counting votes will start and publicly announced in front of the audience.

b) Any blank or unreadable ballot will be voided and shall be registered.

c) Any ballot that contains all or some of the candidates names will be considered acceptable and valid. Unclear or non candidate names, if any, will be cancelled, also any number exceeding 12 names starting with number 13.

d) Election results will be announced instantly after vote counting. Candidates who got majority of votes will be considered winners in sequence so that the number would be 12. Those who came second will be considered as alternates in sequence also. If one or more got the same number of votes after number 11 then one will be chosen by lot-casting. Winner will be number 12.

e) The Election Supervising Committee will write down in register the election results and forward them to the head of the Archdiocese.

CHAPTER III: NOMINATING AND CALLING COUNCIL MEMBERS

Article 8:

a) The head of the Archdiocese shall issue a decree pronouncing the names of the new Council members in compliance with ARTICLEs 3 and 4 of these Bylaws. A copy of this decree will be forwarded to his holiness the Patriarch. This same procedure will apply if Council is appointed rather than elected.

b) The head of the Archdiocese shall call upon the new Council for a meeting – be it elected or appointed – within 10 days of the issuance of the above mentioned decree in the previous section. If after this duration a call for the meeting is not made, then the new Council can meet automatically.

c) Handover between the new and old Council shall take place under the supervision of the head of Archdiocese or whoever he designates, in a maximum period of 30 days after the first meeting of the new Council. Otherwise legal action will be taken by the head of Archdiocese and the new Council.

Article 9:

The new Council members shall pledge to be faithful to the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch and uphold her faith, traditions and holy language. Also to preserve her rights, ideal or material, to yield to her spiritual authority, and to work towards the prosperity and progress of the Archdiocese.

CHAPTER IV: COUNCIL’S AUTHORITIES

Article 10:

Since the Council, under the leadership of the Archbishop, strives to improve and uplift the standard of the Archdiocese as well as support its unity and guard its rights in administrative, financial or social fields, it enjoys the following authorities:

First – Administrative And Social Matters:

a) Overseeing activities of all Archdiocese institutions, legislate suitable regulations, accountability and oversight, look into its affaires, appoint, amend, and dissolve its committees if instructions given by Council were violated. It shall interfere to solve any dispute that may arise among individuals running these institutions.

b) Taking care of the Archdiocese schools, supervise and work for their progress and assist morally and financially. Also ensuring teaching of the Syriac language, the language of the Lord Jesus.

c) Look into all complaints filed by parishioners against any committee and channel them to their proper sources after forming a factual report, otherwise it shall be voided.

d) Council has the right to supervise any referendum for parishioners in choosing priests in the Archdiocese. Council also has the same right when choosing the new Archbishop if Archbishop’s position becomes vacant according to the constitution of the church.

e) During the first month of every year, Council shall prepare a detailed annual report stating its accomplishments during the previous year. This report shall be made public to parishioners.

Second – Financial Matters:

a) Council has the right to oversee the financial operation of all its institutions, to audit its accounts and yearly budget, work to find new and steady resources, and to help in case of any deficit.

b) Council, only when headed by the head of Archdiocese and after his written approval, has the right to borrow and lend funds, to rent on long term basis all or some of the endowments belonging to the Archdiocese by a decision taken, after obtaining approval from his holiness the Patriarch.

c) Council has the right to establish a financial system for the Archdiocese aiming at organizing its income and expenses, setting church fees for spiritual services, accept gifts and donations, help the poor among their parish, setting monthly salaries for the priests, ensuring a proper residence for them, and securing Patriarchal and Archdiocesan yearly dues.

d) During the first quarter of every year, Council shall issue a report for the annual ending accounts and the upcoming year’s budget.

e) Council shall spend fund available in its custody according to official decisions taken by its members, and a spending order signed by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese or the Patriarchal Vicar and the financial committee, in responding to the needs of the Archdiocese institutions after checking its annual budget.

f) Church funds shall be deposited in a bank in the church’s name. No withdrawal of funds is permitted except through a decision taken by the Council and signed by the Archbishop or the Patriarchal Vicar and the authorized personnel. The treasurer has the right to keep a certain amount of funds in his custody for daily use. Such procedure shall be set by Council via a decision taken. Exceeding amounts should be deposited at the bank in church’s name.

Article 11:

Financial matters such as: system, expenditure, and withdrawals are subject to general accountability. Annual budget is also subject to supervision and financial inspection by his holiness the Patriarch or whoever he designates for this purpose.

CHAPTER V: PROHIBITIONS, DISMISSAL, AND RESIGNATION

Article 12:

Council shall not be involved in politics of any type. Likewise, Council shall never interfere in church’s spiritual matters of the Archdiocese.

Article 13:

Council is prohibited from interfering in any other Archdiocese’s matters.

Article 14:

A Council member shall neither create suspicion within Council nor offend any of the Archdiocese’s institutions. He shall not join any religious and/or political organization that is incompatible with church faith and regulations under the penalty of dismissal by Council’s decision headed by head of Archdiocese.

Article 15:

Any member of the Council who is convicted of a disgraceful crime shall be dismissed from the Council by a decision of the same.

Article 16:

A Council member shall be considered dismissed by Council under the following conditions:

a) If he resigns and the Council accepts his resignation, or if he insists on resignation despite the Council’s rejection.

b) If he absents himself three consecutive times, in which case he shall be warned at the fourth meeting. If he absents himself at this fourth meeting without a legitimate excuse, he shall be considered dismissed.

Article 17:

Council shall be considered dissolved if more than half of its members have resigned, be it an elected or an appointed Council. In such case, a new Council shall be formed according to the provisions of 3, 4 and 5 of these Bylaws.

Should the number of the resigning members be less than half of the Council members then the Archbishop shall appoint new members to replace those who have resigned (be it elected or an appointed Council) and notify his holiness the Patriarch. The new appointed members shall complete the remaining period of time of the term of those who have resigned.

Article 18:

In case Council commits an action against church rules, constitution, or regulations the Archbishop of the Archdiocese has the right to terminate or dismiss any member or group after obtaining the written approval of his holiness the Patriarch.

CHAPTER Vl: COUNCIL MANAGEMENT AND COMMITTEES ELECTION

Article 19:

The Archbishop of the Archdiocese or the Patriarchal Vicar shall be the President of the Council in his Archdiocese. In case of absence, Vice President and Secretary will act as chairman. In such case Council’s decision will be considered valid only after being approved by the head of Archdiocese.

Article 20:

The term of the Council is two years.

Article 21:

The Archbishop has the right to extend Council’s term only once.

Article 22:

For the benefit of the church, the Archbishop can keep a maximum of three Council members for one term.

Article 23:

During the first meeting, Council shall elect:

a) Vice President, whose duties will include:

1. Acting as President in case of President’s absence.

2. Carrying the President’s authorities be it: representing the Council, supervising its committees, and executing its decisions.

b) Secretary, whose duties will include:

1. Documenting all meetings in an official record.

2. Keeping all correspondence.

3. Receiving all letters and papers and distributing them to the appropriate parties after being read at the Council’s meeting.

4. Acting as the link between alt Council’s committees.

5. Acting as chairman in the absence of the President and the Vice President.

c) The Advisory Committee:

This shall consist of the Vice President and two members elected by the Council. Their duties are to assist the head of Archdiocese in alt urgent matters.

d) The Financial Committee:

This shall consist of three members that will include the Accountant and the Treasurer. Its duties are to organize Council’s and Archdiocese’s budget, audit accounts of all Archdiocese institutions, oversee their treasuries, and forward a report at least twice a year.

e) The Overseeing Committee:

This shall consist of three Council members. Its duties to oversee activities of Archdiocese institutions and inspect at least once every six months and when necessary. Also forward a report regarding its actions.

f) Schools Overseeing Committee:

This shall consist of three Council members. Its duties is to oversee administrative Schools bodies and inspect at least once a month. Also forward a report regarding its actions.

g) Endowments And Churches Overseeing Committee:

This shall consist of three Council members. Its duties is to oversee church treasury, manage endowments, and inspect once every six months and when necessary. Also forward a report regarding its actions.

h) Council, headed by the Archbishop, has the right to establish other new committees that suit the activities of the Archdiocese.

i) If the Council consists of less than eight members, then the Council, as a whole, can carry out the duties of the committees.

Article 24:

Archdiocese Archbishop or Patriarchal Vicar shall supervise the execution of all Council’s decisions.

Article 25:

Council shall have an official register whose pages are numbered, and to seal it by its official seal. Archbishop or Patriarchal Vicar shall sign the first and the last page of every register. These records shall be delivered to persons concerned. They are:

a) Objections and correspondence register and all other papers received by Council showing its stated number in the sequence of its delivery, as well as the name of sender and a briefing.

b) Meetings register.

c) Archdiocese account register and double copy receipt books.

d) Register for endowments properties showing their status, description, income, and other documentation.

e) Archdiocese census register.

CHAPTER VII: COUNCIL MEETINGS

Article 26:

Council shall meet at its designated place.

Article 27:

Council shall hold periodic meetings at least once every two weeks at the time it sets.

Article 28:

Council shall hold special sessions when necessary. It shall be held upon a request by:

a) The head of the Archdiocese.

b) Majority of Council members according to a decision taken at a normal session in which date and time of special session is set.

c) Vice President or Secretary in case of President’s absence.

Article 29:

Meeting shall be considered legal if more than half of Council members are present.

Article 30:

The chairman shall submit topics for discussion according to meeting agenda in order to take decisions accordingly. Topics not agreed upon, shall be put to vote.

Article 31:

Decisions are taken by majority vote of the Council members who are present. In case of a tie vote, the President’s side shall win.

Article 32:

Council’s session shall be kept in a special register. It will be read at the end of meeting and be signed by present Council members or Vice President and Secretary.

Article 33:

Council shall neither re – discuss a decision taken previously nor void it. Council shall not take a similar or contradictory decision either, unless in a session attended by two thirds of Council members and agreed upon by majority of present members.

Article 34:

All decisions regarding the Local Parish Councils shall be considered void if they contradict these Bylaws.

Article 35:

These Bylaws will be in force as of the date of its legalization and sanction by his holiness the Patriarch.

St. Ephraim the Syriac Monastery – Ma’arrat Saydnayah

On March 31, 2000

Sanctioned by his holiness the Patriarch

On ……. , 1998

Endorsed by the Holy Synod of Antioch

On March 31, 2000

In case of any conflicting interpretations, the original text (Arabic) premium

on the English version.