Aftimios Ofiesh officially founded the American Orthodox Catholic Church in 1927. The Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church (ROGCC) originally supported the establishment of the North American Orthodox jurisdiction as a diocese. The movement to establish a new American tradition gained popularity. In four years, the American Orthodox Catholic Church consecrated four bishops with a charter granted by the ROGCC. After the consecration of the four bishops, its formal members developed a constitution for the new Orthodox church.
We strive to make a home for those whom no one else has reached, or who have felt unwelcome or uncomfortable in their former religious communities. At the same time, we welcome those who, for the first time, come to learn about God's love for humanity and seek a way to worship and pray with others. God's mercy is important to us when we realize that we are redeemed by God's love.
Everyone is welcome to walk with us on our journey.
Apostolic succession: the line of bishops dating back to the apostles.
All Orthodox and Catholic bishops, throughout the world, are part of a lineage that dates back to the time of the apostles. The role of apostolic succession is to preserve the true doctrine illustrated in the Bible. To ensure that the apostles' teachings would be passed on after the apostles' deaths, Paul said to Timothy, "What have you heard from me before many witnesses entrust faithful men who will be able to teach others also?" Tim. 2:2. In this passage, Paul refers to the first three generations of apostolic succession: Paul's own generation, Timothy's generation, and the generation that Timothy would teach.