American Orthodoxy

An Article in the New York World Telegram Oct. 1, 1932 included a photograph of Archbishop Aftimios, Bishop Sophronius and Bishop Zuk with the heading "Orthodox Catholics Complete Hierarchy".

The article mentioned the three bishops make a complete Hierachy for the North American Church. This article also states Bishop Zuk was the first bishop in the American Church having no allegiance to any European "headship" (Patriarch). This shows clearly that this is the True American Orthodox Mother Church!

This same article mentions "His Eminance Aftimios of Brooklyn, Archbishop President of the Holy North American Synod (should read North American Holy Synod) who for the last 15 years has headed the Syrian Orthodox Mission in North America as first vicar of the American jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Moscow and all Russia". We are the Church headed by Abp. Aftimios and the Synod.

This same article also mentions the recently consecrated Wm. "Ignatius" Nichols but not as a member of the synod.

The point of interest in that article mentions the jurisdicton of these bishops the following: The Church jurisdiction of these bishops is the canonical and historical successor of the Russian Orthodox jurisdiction established for North America by way of Alaska as early as 1763.

Under the ancient Canon Law, enacted by the council of Calchedon in 453 A.D. this can be the only lawful Orthodox authority or jurisdiction in America.

In 1917 Bp. Aftimios succeeded Abp. Raphael and was empowered with all the responsibilities, duties and powers that had been exercised by Abp. Raphael.

In 1927, urged on by the chaotic condition of authority in Russia and otherwise abroad, the Russian Patriarchial Bishops in this country acted upon orders and advice previously issued by the Patriarch Tikhon, of Moscow, and his successor, the present Locum Tenens, Sergius, and Commissioned Bishop Aftimios to be Archbishop and to found and head under a synodical constitution, an independent American Orthodox Catholic Church, and the three bishops pictured in the included photograph made up the Hierarchy of this Church.

It must be noted here that the Orthodox jurisdictions who settled in the U.S. did so without canonical authority and jurisdiction. Their acts from the time this Church was canonically established were aimed at destroying this Church, the synod and to assume control of our canonical jurisdiction. Even our mother church chartered a second american church in 1970 thus violating our canonical rights, authority and jurisdiction. The actions by these SCOBA Orthodox jurisdictions over these 80 years have been unholy and unchristian.

Since we were canonically established, and are in our rightful Orthodox Catholic jurisdiction we are the canonical American Orthodox Patriarchate, established in 2003 by the Synod of this Church. No other Orthodox Church in North American who is not in communion with us - is canonical They also have no sacramental authority as Schismatic's.

Icon
Archbishop Aftimios Ofiesh
Martyr

Archbishop Aftimios Ofiesh
Martyr
(1880-1966)
Appointed first canonical Archbishop of the American Church.

Bishop Sophronius Beshara,
Bishop of Los Angeles and the only Canonical Orthodox prelate on the Pacific coast with canonical jurisdiction west of the Mississippi. His remains were later moved by the Antiochian Church and laid to rest next to St Raphael.

Bishop Joseph Zuk, Ukrainian bishop of the American jurisdiction.
Bishop Zuk as a Canonical bishop later headed the Ukrainian Diocese in the U.S.

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First's

In 1927 Abp. Ofiesh was appointed the first Archbishop of this Church.

In 1928 when he incorporated the Church he was then the first Archbishop - president of the Church.

In 1997 when the Synod declared the Church a Metropolitanite Abp. Victor became the First Metropolitan Primate of the Church.

In 2003 when the Synod declared this Church to be the American Orthodox Patriarchate Abp. Nikon became the first Patriarch of the American Patriarchate.

In 2007 after Metropolitan Victor retired from the Office of Metropolitan Abp. Leland, Chancellor and Vicar of the Eastern United States, was elected first Metropolitan of North and South America.

The Synod also Approved the title of Metropolitan for the Vicar of the British Isles and Western Europe. Another first.

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His Eminence Victor [Retired Metropolitan]
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