WHO ARE WE:
OFFICIAL FOUNDING STATEMENT OF THE AUTOCEPHALOUS ORTHODOX CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF THE AMERICAS:
Let it be known that on the 14th day of October, the 17th week after Pentecost and the Feast of the Holy Martyrs Gervasius, Protasius and Celsus of Milan, and St. Cosmas the Hymnographer, in this, the year of our Lord, 2016, the formation and establishment of the Independent Orthodox Catholic Episcopal Jurisdiction, henceforth to be known as the:
AUTOCEPHALOUS ORTHODOX CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF THE AMERICAS
was completed. This Jurisdiction has been formed by the unification of the NEW WARRIOR MINISTRIES (a Celtic Western Rite Orthodox Church) under the episcopal jurisdiction of the Right Reverend Bishop +William; Provincia Ortodoxa Apostólica Iberoamericana - (Orthodox Apostolic Ibero-American Province) under the episcopal jurisdiction of the Right Reverend Obispo Germanos - (Bishop Herman), and ST. BASIL'S MISSIONARY ORTHODOX CATHOLIC CHURCH under the episcopal jurisdiction of the Most Reverend +Gregori.
As an Autocephalous Church body (meaning "self-heading" or "self-governing" ) we are not under the jurisdiction of any established patriarchate. In place of a patriarch, this jurisdiction shall be headed by a Metropolitan Archbishop to be elected by the Holy Synod of this jurisdiction to serve for a four year term.
The NEW WARRIOR MINISTRIES, the ORTODOXA APOSTÓLICA IBEROAMERICANA PROVINCIA, and the ST. BASIL'S MISSIONARY ORTHODOX CATHOLIC CHURCH, as well as as any new autonomous church jurisdictions, holding true Orthodox beliefs, wishing to join this jurisdiction, shall be granted full autonomy over their own individual diocese, but once becoming a member of the A.O.C.C.A, their proposed nominees for the episcopate must be voted on by the Holy Synod and all future candidates for holy orders must be trained at our seminaries.
As an Autocephalous Church Jurisdiction, we retain the right to consecrate our own Holy Chrism, train our own clergy and establish our own monastic communities, among other prerogatives unique to all autocephalous churches.
We are NOT an "ordination mill". We do NOT ordain through the mail, through email or over the phone. All conferring of the Holy Orders and the sacraments are done in person through the "Laying on of Hands", with no exceptions.
We also welcome and seek communion with other like minded independent Orthodox Churches, which after careful investigation, have been proven to hold sound and traditional Orthodox beliefs, and which hold to and advocate strict adherence to all of the Orthodox Canons as put forth in the "RUDDER".
Address your email to either +William, Obispo Germanos - (+Herman)
Who we are A O C C A:
Presented by +William of the St. Michael's Monastery and the New Warrior Ministries:
FOR ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
or
TO MAKE A COMMENT, YOU CAN
EMAIL US AT:
Address your email to either +William, Obispo Germanos - (+Herman)
or +Gregori
Please keep your emails respectful, Thank you,
