The Holy Eastern Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in North America ® was established in North America on Feb. 2, 1927 by the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America as an Autocephalous Canonical Church and incorporated on Feb. 1, 1928 by His Eminence Archbishop Aftimios Ofiesh and seven others.

This Church was hurt over the decades by divisive clergy attempting to establish schismatic independent groups contrary to canon and without the support or blessings of any of the Patriarchs of the ethnic Churches, i.e. Russian, Greek, etc. We are the same Church (and corporation) today. We are not a new or re-established group using this name.

We offer unity to clergy with valid lines and to those serious clergy with a shadow in their lines. The independent groups claiming to be Orthodox do not and can not grow in the present climate regarding Orthodoxy in this society. As the larger Orthodox denominations are losing laity and continue to in-fight, how do they expect to grow when they do not have roots from a valid Church that is acting within its true and rightful jurisdiction? Since this Church was esablished to serve the English speaking Orthodox Community in North America by the recognized Church who oversaw all Orthodoxy in the new world we all shou ld be able to unite under this banner and serve as one true Church. Other groups in North America who claim to be Orthodox are cordially invited to join us in the mission of Jesus Christ to teach, preach, and heal.

We are not in communion with nor do we claim communion with any Old Catholic or Orthodox Church that is part of the independent movement.

Please note: We do not recognize any ecclesiastical act by any bishop of this Church that was done on their own and without mandate from the North American Holy Synod. There are some in the independent movement who improperly claim their lines trace back to us. These acts were done contrary to the Canons and traditions of Orthodoxy.