OCA Bishops Approve New Social Media Guidelines

Photo: oca.org

SPRINGFIELD, VA — The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) adopted updated “Social Media Guidelines for Clergy and Lay Leaders” during its Spring 2026 session, encouraging faithful and responsible online conduct throughout the Church.

The revised guidelines apply to clergy, employees and lay leaders serving in dioceses, parishes, monasteries, seminaries, and other church institutions. The Synod also commended the document to clergy wives, monastics, parish council members, youth leaders, and teachers involved in the Church’s public witness and pastoral life.

The document encourages charitable, restrained, and Christ-centered engagement on social media platforms. "The guidelines are intended not primarily as restrictions," the OCA's release states, "but as a pastoral and spiritual resource rooted in the Church’s longstanding understanding of speech, conduct, and Christian witness."

Quoting Abba Poemen, the guidelines note: “I have often repented of having spoken, but never of having kept silence.” The Synod expressed hope that the document would foster respectful communication and a more faithful Orthodox Christian witness online.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the OCA Holy Synod accepted Abp. Alexander’s retirement from the Diocese of the South.

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