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"Christ is in Our Midst - He is and Always Shall Be"
The OCA-UAOC/APC stands with Sacred Scripture: Leviticus 18:22
"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman: it is an abomination."
+ UKASE/GRAMMATA published under ORTHODOXY page +
PATERNAL APOSTOLIC BLESSING
From His All-Holiness BARTHOLOMEW I
Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
The following Blessing from His All Holiness Patriarch BARTHOLOMEOS, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch is the latest in a series of recognition by the Ecumenical Patriarchs and their American Exarchs, including Archbishop ATHENAGORAS, Archbishop MICHAEL and Archbishop IAKOVOS.
FORMAL STATEMENT
By His Beatitude AMVROSIJ, Primate and Archivist
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the USA
Former Exarch of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria
Although we are an independent canonical Orthodox jurisdiction, we thank His All Holiness BARTHOLOMEOS , Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch for his Blessing upon us, our hierarchs, clergy and faithful. The Ecumenical Patriarchate provided the UAOC a canonical episcopate in 1942 in Kiev from the Exarch of the Ecumenical Throne in Warsaw, himself having been consecrated by the Patriarch of Antioch and eight hierarchs of the Moscow Church, including Metropolitan St. ANTHONY Krapovitsky of Kiev.
The hierarchs of the American Orthodox Church (OCA-UAOC) were acknowledged as canonical by Archbishop MICHAEL, Exarch of the Ecumenical Throne in America. Archbishop CHRISTOPHOROS Contogeorge was recognized by Order of the Ecumenical Patriarch in a document signed by Archbishop ATHENAGORAS, Exarch, and his three bishops. Archbishop IAKOVOS, Exarch of the Ecumenical Throne in America recognized our canonical Ukrainian hierarchs.
Some of our hierarchs served as Exarchs in the Americas of the Ancient and Venerable Patriarchate of Alexandria, and of Jerusalem.
We want to clarify that we are in no way under the jurisdiction of the current Exarch in Americas of the Ecumenical Throne, Archbishop ELPIDOPHOROS, since we are not part of the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but are a self-governing canonical Orthodox Church as determined by the Sacred Canons and by civil law.
We have been recognized as canonical by the predecessors of the current Exarch: Archbishop ATHENAGORAS (later Ecumenical Patriarch), Archbishop MICHAEL, Archbishop IAKOVOS.
We have served as Exarchs of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Our hierarchs assisted in the consecration of a Serbian hierarch. We also concelebrated with Bishop JOHN Martin of the American Carpatho Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Diocese, Metropolitans MICHAEL Shaheen and PHILIP Saliba of the Antiochian Orthodox Patriarchate, Metropolitan JOSEPH of the Bulgarian Patriarchate and Archbishop MAKARIOS, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church, and one time President, of Cyprus among with many other canonical Orthodox groups.
Our Jurisdiction has been recognized as canonical by patriarchs, including Patriarch NICHOLAS VI of Alexandria and Archbishop MAKARIOS of Cyprus. It must also be noted that Archbishop DIONYSIOS Makrocambrakis, the last serving Exarch of the Exarchate of the Patriarchate of Alexandria before it was granted autocephaly by Patriarch NICHOLAS VI, was consecrated by three of our bishops who also consecrated Archbishop AMVROSIJ, who now himself heads the autocephalous former Exarchate of Alexandria in the Americas.
Our OCA-UAOC Hierarchs and Jurisdiction was also recognized by His Eminence IRENEY, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All-America and Canada for the Orthodox Church in America.
His Beatitude, Archbishop AMVROSIJ, was recognized by Patriarch MYSTYSLAV I of Kiev as being in the Apostolic Succession from himself through Metropolitan HRYHORIJ, whom AMMVROSIJ succeeded, and as direct successor of Archbishop CHRISTOPHOROS Contogeorge and as Primate of the Exarchate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria in the Americas.
The hierarchs of the American Orthodox Church (OCA-UAOC) were acknowledged as canonical by Archbishop MICHAEL, Exarch of the Ecumenical Throne in America. Archbishop CHRISTOPHOROS Contogeorge was recognized by Order of the Ecumenical Patriarch in a document signed by Archbishop ATHENAGORAS, Exarch, and his three bishops. Archbishop IAKOVOS, Exarch of the Ecumenical Throne in America recognized our canonical Ukrainian hierarchs.
Some of our hierarchs served as Exarchs in the Americas of the Ancient and Venerable Patriarchate of Alexandria, and of Jerusalem.
We want to clarify that we are in no way under the jurisdiction of the current Exarch in Americas of the Ecumenical Throne, Archbishop ELPIDOPHOROS, since we are not part of the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but are a self-governing canonical Orthodox Church as determined by the Sacred Canons and by civil law.
We have been recognized as canonical by the predecessors of the current Exarch: Archbishop ATHENAGORAS (later Ecumenical Patriarch), Archbishop MICHAEL, Archbishop IAKOVOS.
We have served as Exarchs of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Our hierarchs assisted in the consecration of a Serbian hierarch. We also concelebrated with Bishop JOHN Martin of the American Carpatho Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Diocese, Metropolitans MICHAEL Shaheen and PHILIP Saliba of the Antiochian Orthodox Patriarchate, Metropolitan JOSEPH of the Bulgarian Patriarchate and Archbishop MAKARIOS, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church, and one time President, of Cyprus among with many other canonical Orthodox groups.
Our Jurisdiction has been recognized as canonical by patriarchs, including Patriarch NICHOLAS VI of Alexandria and Archbishop MAKARIOS of Cyprus. It must also be noted that Archbishop DIONYSIOS Makrocambrakis, the last serving Exarch of the Exarchate of the Patriarchate of Alexandria before it was granted autocephaly by Patriarch NICHOLAS VI, was consecrated by three of our bishops who also consecrated Archbishop AMVROSIJ, who now himself heads the autocephalous former Exarchate of Alexandria in the Americas.
Our OCA-UAOC Hierarchs and Jurisdiction was also recognized by His Eminence IRENEY, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All-America and Canada for the Orthodox Church in America.
His Beatitude, Archbishop AMVROSIJ, was recognized by Patriarch MYSTYSLAV I of Kiev as being in the Apostolic Succession from himself through Metropolitan HRYHORIJ, whom AMMVROSIJ succeeded, and as direct successor of Archbishop CHRISTOPHOROS Contogeorge and as Primate of the Exarchate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria in the Americas.
CONGRATULATIONS...to the newly Ordained, Father Peter Mark Butterfield, Pastor of our Western Rite St. Peter Orthodox Church in Sierra Vista, Arizona; to the newly Ordained, Father Deacon John Khalifeh of our Co-Cathedral of St. Raphael of Brooklyn in El Cajon, California; to the newly Elevated the Very Reverend Archpriest Serafim Keirsey of our St. Elijah Orthodox Chapel in Jamul, California; to the newly Elevated Father Deacons George Khalifeh and Michael Day honoured to wear a Silver Cross and to the newly honoured Protocyncellus Archpriest Boulos Khoury elevated to that of Mitred Archpriest....AXIOS, AXIOS, AXIOS to all and their devoted families and friends...pictured with the Reverend Fathers David and Ramon during the Episcopal Visitation of His Eminence Metropolitan +MICHAEL to Southern California 25 to 27 October 2024.
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"Slava Isysy Xristy! - Welcome..." from "Old Country" roots we are rightly the ORTHODOX CHURCH OF AMERICA ...and Dependencies ~ "ORTHODOX" in Faith and "CATHOLIC" in Communion ~ Let us earnestly ask for the world's prayers at this time for our brothers and sisters in the Ukrainian & Russian Homelands to maintain the True Faith...and for brothers and sisters in the United States and in Israel...for peace & calm! ~ MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US ~
“And the Brethren shall dwell together as one…” (Deut 25:5)
ORTHODOXY was the first Christian Faith to arrive in the Americas nearly 1,000 years ago! The Vikings in Newfoundland came with Missionaries from the "Old World" years before the Great Schism between East & West - when the Church was still the One, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic Church..."Orthodox" in Faith and "Catholic" in Communion." This fact contradicts the often held belief that Roman Catholicism was the first to arrive when Christopher Columbus landed in the West Indies.
However one may look at it, the fact remains that the first Christians in North America came from Scandinavia at a time when Scandinavian Christians were an integral part of Orthodox Christendom. It is up to us to take up the mission begun in this land by Lief Ericsson and his Orthodox descendants! Diverse spiritual heritages were planted throughout North and South America with a team of Russian Missionaries arriving on Kodiak Island. Father Herman of Alaska became America's first Glorified Orthodox Saint while St. Innocent was consecrated as first Orthodox Bishop for the New World. The Orthodox Faith was further planted throughout North America by missionary efforts of St. Tikhon (Bellavin), who later became the Patriarch of Russia; He called for the establishment of an "American Orthodox Church." Great cities from New York to Chicago, Toronto to San Francisco were blessed by holy Bishops such as St. Raphael (Hawaweeny) of Brooklyn and St. John (Maximovitch) of San Francisco; everywhere, Communities abounded, rich in Faith and ethnic traditions, by Greeks, Lebanese, Ukrainians, Serbians, Macedonians, Albanians, Romanians, Russians and many more. In the mid 1920's, at the request of Ukrainian Bishop Palladios (Rudenko), seminarists were summoned to New York to serve the Faithful, among them was the energetic, Peter Andreas Zhurawetzky, ordained to the Priesthood by Greek Archbishop Athenagoras (Spyrou), who later became the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Accompanying Father Peter were his Ukrainian classmates Andrei (Kuschak), Bohdan (Shpylka) and Mstyslav (Skrypnyk), who later became the Patriarch of Kyiv in the Ukraine. We are the American Orthodox Church, the Original Russian Mission to America, and in communion with the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the United States 1942 Episcopate. Through the brotherly efforts of Archbishop Peter (Zhurawetzky), with that of Bishops Christopher (Contogeorge) & Arsenios (Saltos) for Alexandria, Theophanies (Noli) for Albania, Joachim (Souris) & Konstantin (Jaroshevich) for Greece, and Nicholas (Kedroffsky) & Joseph (Klymowycz) for Russia... the foundation of a unified organization to serve the Americas began to flourish. By 1951, as reported in The New York Times, the Hierarchs met, and, although wanting to establish an American Patriarchate, their efforts eventually evolved into what the Russian Patriarch St. Tikhon (Bellavin) had envisioned decades earlier while serving as a bishop in America...the Orthodox Church of America. Many theologians and church historians today would describe the church of the early Christians not as a single, unified structure, but as a communion or family of local churches...having their own local customs and distinctive ways of worshiping. They did not insist on uniformity, but at the same time they were insistent and united in their sacramental life--above all in Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. Though scattered throughout the world, they regarded themselves as making up the same, ONE, BODY OF CHRIST, which they demonstrated whenever they received Holy Communion in the Holy Eucharist. They were also united in the same Apostolic Faith & valid Canonical and Apostolic Succession, which meant that they claimed to hold the same True Faith that was preached by the Apostles, the men whom Jesus Christ had appointed to be witnesses to His saving work. With the establishment of the SEC, Standing Episcopal Conference of Orthodox Bishops, in 1951, and being canonically recognized by the Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and by other Orthodox Jurisdictions, we are, AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN, an integral part of that same Body, comprising many difference ethnic cultures and traditions, but sharing a common Faith, a common way of life, and, to a high degree, a common history that distinguishes us from other Christians. Now, in 2023-2024, the Orthodox Church of America reaches, with its Dependencies throughout all the world, via our Provinces in Africa, Europe, France, Great Britain and in America with its Dependencies ...and, we also continue to welcome Brothers & Sisters embracing the authentic Orthodox Western Rite through our USA based Western Rite Vicariate, especially with our Brethren in the Philippines...all "holding fast" to the same Apostolic Doctrine and Faith of the Early Undivided Church of the Seven Ecumenical Councils...holding Sacred Traditions from before the Great Schism...being "Orthodox" in Faith and "Catholic" in Communion ...witnessing Jesus Christ into all the world. It must also be noted that on 2 November 2018, the Ecumenical Patriarchate declared that it recognized the sacraments as performed by the UOC-KP (Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchate) and UAOC (Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church) as valid. It was further stated from this meeting that "when there is some talk about the non-canonicity of the Holy Sacraments celebrated by the clergy of these churches, the Holy Mother Church has answered. These Sacraments and clerical actions are canonical!" (PLEASE SEE UNDER TOMOS TAB) (QUICK REFERENCES..."Church Timeline" - "Apostolic Succession")
The Orthodox Church of America - Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church professes the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, and Orthodox Faith, based on Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition (the teaching of the Apostles, the Holy Fathers, the Holy Seven Ecumenical Councils and Local Councils).
We profess Seven Sacraments (Holy Mysteries), we do not recognize obligatory or forced celibacy of the clergy, we commune the laity under both forms and allow the practice of the traditional Western Rite Liturgy (Mass) with addition of the essential Orthodox Epiclesis, proper commemorations and removal of the "filioque" clause from the Creed. We are not in communion with Rome and do not recognize the dogma of infallibility [ex cathedra]...but believe and accept what existed before the separation of the Eastern and Western Churches. Holy Scripture specifies from Christ to St. Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven..." (St. Matthew 16:19), so, from the beginning, the Pope of Rome, Patriarch of the West, enjoyed Universal Primacy over the other Eastern Patriarchates of the Church...being "First Among Equals"... but NEVER having Universal Jurisdiction! We try to follow the path that we have received from Our Blessed Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ: the way that elected His closest Disciples - the Twelve Apostles. His life and that of the Apostles left us an example to be followed by every Christian to spread the Gospel "...into all the world." (St. Mark 16:15) The One True Church, the Orthodox Church, is "Apostolic" because all she has: Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and her Life of Grace - all this, she received from Christ through the Apostles. Our Church encourages its members to continue to live as Christ lived with the Apostles, in humility, simplicity, holiness, joyful, confident and with the unconditional love of God for all His people. The Deposit of Faith, the Faith of the Apostles, the Apostolic Doctrines held by all the Hierarchs, Clergy, Religious and Faithful of our Blessed Jurisdiction, were not invented by people, but literally heard from the lips of the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, and preached by them, due to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost. We cherish the Orthodox Faith and the tenets of the first Seven Ecumenical Councils, but allow valid changes & interpretation of the Holy Canons and ritual diversity...if it is for the best preaching of the Gospel and, ultimately, for the salvation of souls. Recognizing both the Western and Eastern Christian heritage, the richness of theological thought and liturgical traditions, we are ready to work together and to pray with other Christian churches, to welcome them and build up the Body of Christ! True unity of the Church cannot be found in organizational structures, but in the spirit of brotherly love and unity in AUTHENTIC FAITH and the SACRAMENTS...this is what the Orthodox Church of America stands by. 
The OCA-UAOC is built on Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the Holy Canons of the Universal Church and interpreted for the pastoral needs of today. In the event of a conflict between the Holy Canons and the Word of God and between any Sacred Traditions and the Proclamation of the Gospel in terms of modernity, the American Church considers it absolutely necessary and permissible to change the Holy Canons and develop a tradition strictly liable to the spirit and letter of Divine Revelation.
Our Bishops, priests and laity, in observance of Our Lord's words, saying, "Who wants to be great among you, shall be servant of all" (St. Matthew 20:26) consider it necessary to build a Christian life with respect for the needs of Orthodox believers and all Christians and to safeguard the Bishop and Priest, in their obligations, to preserve and teach the truths of the authentic and genuine Orthodox Faith; with prayer and with viable, organized congregations (many in Domestic Home Church settings as in the EARLY CHURCH), unconditional love for all, showing mercy and service to others. Both the Apostles and the very words of Sacred Scripture confirm, that, "no doubt there will be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval" (1 Corinthians 11:19); therefore, we permit and encourages diversity of liturgical structure and principles of community life...while maintaining unity and a spirit of brotherly love...calling for the spread of ecumenical communion among all Brothers & Sisters with Faith in Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
We Pray for our Brothers and Sisters
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"The Ancient Faith" video dedicated to the Memory of Metropolitan +PHILIP (Saliba) Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese
+ NEWS FROM OCA-UAOC +
"Link" for a Beautiful Orthodox Journey
"Link" to the COAC and Holy Synod - The "Sister Church" of our Jurisdiction
"Link" to Ancient Faith Radio
"Link" to Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
"Link" to Orthodox WIKI Information
"Link" to our Glorified Saints including two newly Canonized on Nativity 2022
"Link" to Orthodox Times News
READ the Book for FREE!
"Link" for Great Orthodox Sources
"Link" for the Virtual Tour of St. Sophia
YES! We can take you to see a TRUE Miraculous Weeping Icon of the Theotokos in Elmwood Park, Illinois
Learn About Holy Orthodoxy
Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration
"Link" to Daily Orthodox Happenings
"Link" to Orthodox Church Goods
"Link" to download the MENOLOGION for your PC...gives New or Old Calendar with daily readings for the Divine Liturgy and Holy Icons for the Saint of the Day.
Public Service by Rt. Rev. Michael
"Link" to a tremendous source of Orthodox History
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God Bless America, God Bless our Freedom of Religion!
God Bless our Presidents who have worked with the Orthodox for decades.
God Bless all who are affiliated with us in our witness to Jesus Christ!
President Harry S. Truman with Ecumenical Patriarch +ATHENAGORAS 1948
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President Donald J. Trump with Rt Rev +MICHAEL, Primate of OCA-UAOC 2015
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We Pray that Almighty God Will Bless President Joseph R. Biden
And Continue to Bless the United States of America!
The Orthodox Church of America is a Faith Based Certifying Organization
for the President's Volunteer Service Award
OFFICIAL NOTICE
Members of the Orthodox Church of America, Standing Episcopal Conference of Orthodox Bishops and our Blessed Jurisdiction - the Apostolic Orthodox Church of Russia - Shall not be involved in Occultism, Esotericism, Gnosticism, Wicca, Kabbalah, Symbology, Divination, Reiki, Scientology, Yoga, Numerology, Transcendental Meditation, Theosophy, Clairvoyance, Astrology, Freemasonry, Seances or any Clandestine Activity.
Members of the Orthodox Church of America, Standing Episcopal Conference of Orthodox Bishops and our Blessed Jurisdiction - the Apostolic Orthodox Church of Russia - Shall not be involved in Occultism, Esotericism, Gnosticism, Wicca, Kabbalah, Symbology, Divination, Reiki, Scientology, Yoga, Numerology, Transcendental Meditation, Theosophy, Clairvoyance, Astrology, Freemasonry, Seances or any Clandestine Activity.
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"With God there is no space or time....from our home in a Free Country,
may He Bless our Beloved Brethren in the Rus-Ukraine"
may He Bless our Beloved Brethren in the Rus-Ukraine"
The Orthodox Church of America is a member Jurisdiction of
the Standing Episcopal Conference of Orthodox Bishops
the Standing Episcopal Conference of Orthodox Bishops
