The story of orthodoxy in America
The Arrival of the Faith
The story of Orthodox Christianity in North America begins with the fearless Russian missionaries who ventured across the vast expanse of Siberia in the late 18th century. In 1794, while the Whiskey Rebellion raged in Pennsylvania, the beloved Saint Herman of Alaska, led a group of dedicated Orthodox Christians to the New World. They landed on the harsh shores of Kodiak Island, bringing with them the timeless teachings of the Orthodox Church.
These first Orthodox Christian missionaries faced immense challenges. Many died on their journey across the marshes of Siberia and on the rocks of the Bering Strait.. Yet, through their unwavering faith in Christ and great zeal for sharing the Holy Gospel, they succeeded in planting the seeds of Holy Orthodoxy in America.
By translating the scriptures and services of the Church into the native languages of the people, these missionaries spread the Holy Gospel and catechized and baptized the people into the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
“Without the services being conducted in the language of the people, they cannot fully participate and benefit from the divine worship. This is why translating the scriptures and liturgy is essential.” – Saint Innocent of Alaska
Another early seed of Orthodoxy was planted in the pre-revolutionary Colony of Virginia. Colonel Philip Ludwell III, a prominent landowner and lawmaker, traveled to London in 1738 and was baptized into the Orthodox Church. He remained faithful until his death, earning the admiration of many of the future Founding Fathers of our nation.
The Expansion Across the Continent
The Orthodox Christian presence in North America began to grow and diversify. Saint Innocent was elected first bishop of the new diocese of America, and baptized thousands of natives into the body of believers. Saints Juvanely and Peter became the first martyrs of our land, at the hands of the pagans and Roman Catholics.
In 1864, a small colony of Greek merchants settled in New Orleans, Louisiana, bringing with them Orthodox Christianity. Hundreds more followed, from across the world. Just before the bloody 20th century, Tsar Nicholas II sent Saint Raphael Hawaweeny to strengthen the new Orthodox Christian immigrants and converts for the struggles to come.
As these new Orthodox Christian immigrants established themselves in the United States, they formed more Orthodox communities and churches, and established seminaries for the development and education of the clergy. All of these contributions nurtured a vibrant spiritual life and continued the growth of the Church in North America.
The Age of Apostasy
In 1917, the Godless Soviets martyred the Tsar and his family and took power of once-Orthodox Russia. They mercilessly persecuted the faithful of the Orthodox Church of Russia under Saint Tikhon, who became known as the Catacomb Church. These persecutions from the atheist authorities led thousands of pious Russians to flee into the West, further growing Orthodoxy in America.
The 20th century also brought trials for the Orthodox faithful in Greece. In 1924, shortly after Saint Nektarios’ death, Patriarch Meletios Metaxakis adopted the Gregorian calendar without the Church’s consensus, in order to actualize the Masonic goal of one-world religion.
This brought with it the rise of a new, foreign teaching which began to plague the Church: Ecumenism. This heresy teaches all the “forms of Christianity” are one church; that the saints tortured to death in defense of the unblemished, unchanged Faith, were not “enlightened” enough to see this.
Eventually this became the “all paths lead up the same mountain” lie, including Muslims, Jews and pagans in their synagogue of Satan. Through the influence of their modern governments, most of the “official” churches caved to these reforms. They entered the World Council of Churches, and abandoned the Truth.
In 1925, during the Exaltation of the Precious Cross, thousands of faithful witnessed the radiant Cross appear. Even the police sent to arrest the believers fell on their knees and praised God for this miracle.
The faithful who refused to yield to the heretical changes became known as “Genuine Orthodox Christians” – a sarcastic term used by heretics to mock their adherence to traditional beliefs. They suffered persecution from the Greek government at the insistence of the state church, many were imprisoned or killed, and churches raided during services.
The Resilience of the Church
However, through these persecutions, God produced many saints and miracles.
In Greece, Police entered churches to arrest the faithful; but left after looking into packed churches and seeing no-one.
In Russia, Serbia, and Romania, Christians eagerly ran to their martyrdoms, singing hymns during their tortures.
In China, children had limbs cut off yet felt only the joy of the resurrection.
In America, faithful Orthodox like Saints John of San Francisco and Philaret of New York refused to commemorate bishops who deviated into ecumenism. They performed miracles in life, and their incorrupt bodies testified to their holiness after death.
“The Genuine Orthodox Christians are not carried away by the movement of apostasy nor by any false ‘awakening, but continue rooted in the holy and saving Faith of Holy Orthodoxy in the tradition the Holy Fathers have handed down to them, watching the signs of the times and traveling the narrow path to salvation.
Many of them follow the bishops of the few Orthodox jurisdictions that have taken strong stands against the apostasy of our times: the Catacomb Church of Russia, the Russian Church Outside of Russia, the True Orthodox Christians (Old Calendarists) of Greece.”
– Father Seraphim Rose
After being released from prison in Greece for his “Old Calendarism” Father Petros Astyfides came to America, where he was made a bishop by the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. He pastored the Orthodox faithful at the Cathedral of Saint Markella in Astoria, New York until his blessed repose in 1997.
Discover the Unchanging Holy Orthodox Church
Today, We stand as a beacon of light representing the unchanged, One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. From the long-established cathedrals on the East Coast to the humble new missions throughout the country, we continue to stand fast, and hold the traditions which we have been taught by our forebearers.
We follow in the footsteps of the saints, holy fathers and blessed hierarchs who came before us, and remain unshaken by innovation or heresy.
Whether you are drawn to the mystical beauty of the divine liturgy, the depths of the spiritual teachings of the holy fathers, or the sense of community and belonging, we extend an open invitation to all who seek to unite themselves to Our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, and be transformed by Him, through His Church.
Come and discover the richness of tradition that has stood the test of time, offering the timeless, transformative, and unchanging path to God.