Assembly of Bishops Opens Nominations for 2026 Saint Theodora Award

Anne Mackoul is awarded with the Medal of St. Theodora at the 2025 Assembly of Bishops meeting in Denver. Photo: Aaron Hickman/UOJ-America

NEW YORK — The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has opened nominations for the 2026 Medal of Saint Theodora Award, an annual honor recognizing Orthodox Christian lay leaders who have made significant contributions to Orthodox unity and the work of the Assembly.

The award is presented to individuals whose service has strengthened cooperation across Orthodox jurisdictions and advanced the Assembly’s mission. According to the nomination announcement, candidates should be members of the Orthodox Christian laity who have demonstrated dedication to cross-jurisdictional collaboration while also serving as exemplary figures in their professional fields.

Nominations will remain open through July 31, 2026. The selection process begins with a public call for nominations, after which the Assembly’s Secretariat reviews submissions and narrows the field to two finalists — one male and one female. Those candidates are then presented to the Executive Committee for approval before the recipients are formally chosen.

The Medal of Saint Theodora is awarded during the Assembly’s annual meeting, typically at the conclusion of one of the gathering’s liturgical services. The honor highlights the role of lay leadership in fostering cooperation among Orthodox Christians in the United States and supporting efforts toward greater unity among the various Orthodox jurisdictions.

At the Assembly’s 2025 meeting in Denver, the award was presented to Anne Mackoul and Judge E. Ray Lanier in recognition of their service and contributions to the Orthodox community.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a former diocesan chancellor was awarded the right to wear the mitre at St. Tikhon’s Pilgrimage.

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