the Orthodox Mission in the Americas

As has been pointed out often, although usually ignored, there is no “perfect” succession line. Whole sections of God’s Holy Church have been beset throughout the ages by schisms and heresies.

No Patriarchate has impeccable lines of succession: Antioch’s major split caused one group to be Uniate and the other Orthodox. Constantinople had at least one of its Patriarchs enter the Roman Church. Alexandria became Monophysite, Moscow broke into two groups over how many fingers to use when making the Sign of the Cross. Further splits in this Church occurred when several factions broke from one another in the New World. Rome left the Unity of the Church in 1054, although in some parts of the world, the break was not final until much later.

We now take this opportunity to provide Our lines to all of Our clergy.

We come from many lines all legitimate insofar as they can be.

Succession from the Traditional Orthodox Church 

Archbishop Christopher (Contageorge) received his consecration 10 Feb. 1934 by Archbishop Aftimios (Ofiesh) {Russian Patriarchal} assisted by Archbishop Sophronius (Bashira) {Syrian Orthodox} and Metropolitan Theophan (Noli) {Albanian Orthodox}.

Archbishop Arsenios (Saltas) was consecrated on 25 Aug. 1934 by Archbishop Christopher and Bp. Nicholas.

Bishop Joseph (Klimovitch) was consecrated in 1935 by Archbishop Nicholas, Archbishop Arsenios, and Archbishop Fedchenkoff {Moscow Patriarchate}.

Archbishop Konstantine (Jaroshevich) was consecrated in 1949 by Archbishop Christopher. Archbishop Arsenios, and Metropolitan Theophan.

Metropolitan Nicholas (Bohatyretz) of the Autocephalous Ukrainian Church, was consecrated on 14 Oct. 1950 by Archbishop Joseph, Archbishop Konstantine, and Metropolitan Joseph (Zielonka) {Syrian Patriarchate of Antioch}.

Bishop Peter (Zurawetsky) was consecrated on 15 Oct. 1950 by Archbishop Joseph, Archbishop Konstantine, and Metropolitan Nicholas. 

Archbishop Joachim (Souris) was consecrated on 2 June 1951 by Archbishop Joseph, Bishop Peter, and Metropolitan Joseph.

Archbishop Joachim along with six other Greek Bishops of his Synod (True Orthodox Christians) {Old Calendar G.O.X.} consecrated Bishop Andreas (Novak) on 10 Apr. 1982 and elevated him to Metropolitan to lead the Synod in North America. 

In 1987, Metropolitan Andreas received Bishop Philip (Caine) into the Metropolia and appointed him Bishop of Pennsylvania.

In March of 1988, Metropolitan Damaskinos, then President of the Holy Synod in Greece, notified Metropolitan Andreas in writing of the election of Archimandrite Haralampos (Young) to the Episcopate. Bishop Haralampos was concecrated on 11 May 1988 by Metropolitan Andreas, Bishop Philip, and with the Blessing and seal of Metropolitan Damaskinos on behalf of the Holy Synod.

On 4 Jan. 1985, Bishop Timotheos (Athassiou) was consecrated by Archbishop Joachim, Metropolitan Damaskinos and two other bishops of the Holy Synod. He was appointed Exarch Metropolitan of Montreal, Canada and the United States. He also received official recognition for his position from the Ministry of Justice of Quebec, Canada (22 July, 1987) and Patriarchal greetings from Jerusalem.

In December of 1993, Metropolitan Timotheos announced in writing and via telephone of the election of Abbot Michael Seraphim (Melchizedek) to the Episcopate. This consecration took place on 3 January 1994. Consecrators were Metropolitan Timotheos and Bishop Timotheos (Mavias) in Athens, Greece with the Blessing and seal of Bishop Haralampos on behalf of the American Metropolia. Bishop Melchizedek was named Exarch of Canada and was authorized to establish the Greek Orthodox Eparchy of Lincoln, Nebraska.

In July of 1995, Archbishop Melchizedek consecrated Bishop Gregory (Meinke) of Pheonix, Arizona, assisted by Archbishop Seraphim (McClellan) and Chor Bishop Charles Brown III. Bishop Gregory was named Auxiliary Bishop of Lincoln.

In July 1997, Archbishop Melchizedek announced the election of Archpriest William McGowan to the Episcopate. Fr. William took the name Kyril at his consecration on 16 August, 1997 at Lincoln, Nebraska. Archbishop Melchizedek was assisted by Archbishop Seraphim, Bishop Gregory, and Bishop John (Kelly). Also present was Mar Enoch of the Mar Thomas Churches in the United States. Bishop Gregory was named Bishop of Phoenix and Bishop Kyril was named Bishop of the Lincoln Eparchy. In 1999, Bishop Kyril was elected to head the Holy American Orthodox Church. 

On 7 October, 2001, Metropolitan Kyril accepted, by the laying on of hands, Archbishop Roland (Salvador) as Titular Bishop of Herapolis. Archbishop Roland was appointed Archbishop of Providence and the Northeast.

On 8 October, 2001, Metropolitan Kyril consecrated Archbishop Symeon (Carmona) as Titular Bishop of Cyzicus at Albuquerque, New Mexico, assisted by Archbishop Roland. He was appointed Archbishop of Albuquerque and the Southwest. In 2002, Archbishop Symeon was raised to the rank of Metropolitan with the right of succession to Metropolitan Kyril.

On August 28, 2004, Metropolitan Symeon and retired Metropolitan Kyril consecrated Schemamonk Barsanuphius Sergius (Deane) as Bishop Innocent to be Auxiliary to Metropolitan Symeon at Albuquerque, New Mexico.

On September 12, 2008, Metropolitan Symeon consecrated Bishop George (Parrish) at Albuquerque, New Mexico, assisted by Bishop Barsanuphius. He was appointed Vicar Bishop for the Western Rite. Bishop George was raised to the rank of Metropolitan and the Western Rite was given the status of autocephaly. With the Blessing and seal of Metropolitan Symeon, Metropolitan George was authorized to establish the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of the USA (Western Rite). (Later to be named the Orthodox Mission in the Americas)

On May 16, 2009, Metropolitan George consecrated Bishop Stephen (Victory) at Vidor, Texas, assisted by Bishop Barsanuphius, and with letters of assent by Metropolitan Symeon. He was appointed Archbishop of the Eastern Eparchy of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of the USA.  (Later to be named the Orthodox Mission in the Americas)