BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
OF THE APOSTOLIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
Apostolic Orthodox Church (COAC) - Russian religious association.
The Primate of the Apostolic Orthodox Church is MARK, Chairman of the COAC Synod of Bishops and Bishop of Austin, Texas USA.
The founders of the Apostolic Orthodox Church were Protopresbyter Gleb Yakunin, Metropolitan Stefan (Linitsky), Metropolitan Kiriak (Temercidi) and Metropolitan Vitaly Kuzhevatov.
On January 31, 2000, at a press conference of Protopresbyter Gleb Yakunin, Metropolitan Stefan (Linitsky), Metropolitan Kiriak (Temercidi) and Vitaly Kuzhevatov, the Declaration on the Creation of the Public Movement “For the Revival of Orthodoxy” was announced at the National Press Institute.
On the basis of the provisions of the Declaration, the Orthodox Church of the Renaissance was created, renamed the Apostolic Orthodox Church on May 13, 2000.
On April 30, 2004, the Apostolic Orthodox Church was registered with the Ministry of Justice of Russia under the official name Centralized Religious Organization “Association of Orthodox Communities of the Apostolic Tradition”.
On October 7, 2023 the formal and legal entity name "Apostolic Orthodox Church" was recorded with the government of the United States of America - State of Ohio, which is protected by the US Department of State for the preservation of freedom of religion and worship granted to all International Offices of the APC.
Apostolic succession of the Church:
Dmitry Ignatov was appointed bishop of June 23, 2018. The Council of Bishops was led by Bishop Simeon Yuzhakov.
Vitaly Kuzhevatov was appointed bishop on May 7, 2000. The Council of Bishops was led by Metropolitan Stefan (Linitsky).
Stefan (Linitsky) was appointed bishop on December 17, 1996 in Ternopol by the Council of Bishops led by Bishop Methodius (Kudryakov).
Methodius (Kudryakov) was made bishop in 1995 by the Council of Bishops led by Patriarch Vladimir (Romaniuk).
Vladimir (Romaniuk) was appointed bishop on April 29, 1990. The Council of Bishops led by Bishop John (Bodnarchuk).
John (Bodnarchuk) was appointed bishop on October 23, 1977 by the Council of Bishops led by Metropolitan Filaret (Denisenko).
Filaret (Denisenko)was appointed bishop on February 4, 1962 by the Council of Bishops led by Metropolitan Pimen (Izvekov).
Pimen (Izvekov) was appointed bishop on November 17, 1957 in Odessa by the Council of Bishops led by Patriarch Alexy (Simansky).
Alexy (Simansky) was appointed bishop on April 28, 1913 in Novgorod by the Council of Bishops led by the Patriarch of Antioch George IV (Haddad).
Gregory (Haddad) was made bishop on May 10, 1890 by the Council of Bishops led by the Patriarch of Antioch Gerasim, later the Patriarch of Jerusalem.
APC communities exist in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Pskov, Taganrog, Buryatia, Krasnoyarsk and Zabaykalsky territories, in the Irkutsk region. Communities beyond the borders of Russia are located in Ukraine, Germany, and the countries of the United States and the Americas.
The Primate of the Apostolic Orthodox Church is MARK, Chairman of the COAC Synod of Bishops and Bishop of Austin, Texas USA.
The founders of the Apostolic Orthodox Church were Protopresbyter Gleb Yakunin, Metropolitan Stefan (Linitsky), Metropolitan Kiriak (Temercidi) and Metropolitan Vitaly Kuzhevatov.
On January 31, 2000, at a press conference of Protopresbyter Gleb Yakunin, Metropolitan Stefan (Linitsky), Metropolitan Kiriak (Temercidi) and Vitaly Kuzhevatov, the Declaration on the Creation of the Public Movement “For the Revival of Orthodoxy” was announced at the National Press Institute.
On the basis of the provisions of the Declaration, the Orthodox Church of the Renaissance was created, renamed the Apostolic Orthodox Church on May 13, 2000.
On April 30, 2004, the Apostolic Orthodox Church was registered with the Ministry of Justice of Russia under the official name Centralized Religious Organization “Association of Orthodox Communities of the Apostolic Tradition”.
On October 7, 2023 the formal and legal entity name "Apostolic Orthodox Church" was recorded with the government of the United States of America - State of Ohio, which is protected by the US Department of State for the preservation of freedom of religion and worship granted to all International Offices of the APC.
Apostolic succession of the Church:
Dmitry Ignatov was appointed bishop of June 23, 2018. The Council of Bishops was led by Bishop Simeon Yuzhakov.
Vitaly Kuzhevatov was appointed bishop on May 7, 2000. The Council of Bishops was led by Metropolitan Stefan (Linitsky).
Stefan (Linitsky) was appointed bishop on December 17, 1996 in Ternopol by the Council of Bishops led by Bishop Methodius (Kudryakov).
Methodius (Kudryakov) was made bishop in 1995 by the Council of Bishops led by Patriarch Vladimir (Romaniuk).
Vladimir (Romaniuk) was appointed bishop on April 29, 1990. The Council of Bishops led by Bishop John (Bodnarchuk).
John (Bodnarchuk) was appointed bishop on October 23, 1977 by the Council of Bishops led by Metropolitan Filaret (Denisenko).
Filaret (Denisenko)was appointed bishop on February 4, 1962 by the Council of Bishops led by Metropolitan Pimen (Izvekov).
Pimen (Izvekov) was appointed bishop on November 17, 1957 in Odessa by the Council of Bishops led by Patriarch Alexy (Simansky).
Alexy (Simansky) was appointed bishop on April 28, 1913 in Novgorod by the Council of Bishops led by the Patriarch of Antioch George IV (Haddad).
Gregory (Haddad) was made bishop on May 10, 1890 by the Council of Bishops led by the Patriarch of Antioch Gerasim, later the Patriarch of Jerusalem.
APC communities exist in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Pskov, Taganrog, Buryatia, Krasnoyarsk and Zabaykalsky territories, in the Irkutsk region. Communities beyond the borders of Russia are located in Ukraine, Germany, and the countries of the United States and the Americas.