On July 6, 2003 The North American Holy Synod of The Holy Eastern Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in North America Declared itself The American Orthodox Patriarchate. As the American Orthodox Catholic Church which is our short name (see the 1927 Charter) and since we were establised as an autocephalous and autonomous Church we have the right as a canonically established Church to canonically declare ourself a Patriarchate - which we have done.

We would like to thank you for visiting us. We are the original American Orthodox Catholic Church (short name as listed in our 1927 Charter). Our actual (corporate) name is The Holy Eastern Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in North America®. We were established in North America on Feb. 2, 1927 by the Charter issued to us the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America as an autonomous and Autocephalous Canonical Church and incorporated on Feb. 1, 1928 by Archbishop Aftimios Ofiesh and seven others. We are that same Church. We did not re-incorporate or just take that name. The lines of Apostolic Succession of Metropolitan Victor clearly trace directly to this Church. Due to a shortage of bishops the main consecrator was assisted by 2 bishops with Syrian lines.

The Holy Synod consists of the Patriarch, Metropolitan, Archbishops and Bishops of this Church.

We have a letter from a Roman Catholic diocese on the website stating we may give Holy Communion to Roman Catholics within our liturgy. We also note that one of our former priests was accepted by the Episcopal diocese of Arkansas without re-ordination.

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.

If you are interested in a ministry with the first canonically established Orthodox Church in North America please contact us at info@theocacna.org