Orthodoxy

 

Introduction




Andrej Rublev TroitsaThe Orthodox Church as a whole is the unity of what are called local autocephalous or autonomous churches. These words mean simply that these churches govern themselves, electing their own bishops and organizing their own lives. Each of these churches has exactly the same doctrine, discipline and spiritual practices.
Mariya
They use the same Bible, follow the same canon laws, confess the authority of the same Church Councils and worship by what is essentially the same liturgy.
It is nothing other than this communion in faith and practice which unites all Orthodox Churches together into one world-wide body. In this sense, there is no one dominating authority in the Orthodox Church, no particular bishop or see or document which hasy over the churches.
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The Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

 

Introduction




The Orthodox Church in America
The Orthodox Church in America

The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church in North America. The The OCA is a member of the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA).
The supreme canonical authority of the OCA is the Holy Synod of Bishops, composed of all the Church’s diocesan bishops. The ex officio chairman of the Holy Synod is the metropolitan, currently Metropolitan Tikhon.
The Holy Synod meets twice annually, however special sessions can be called either by the metropolitan or at the request at least three diocesan bishops.
The primate of the OCA is the metropolitan. He also serves as the bishop of one of the Church’s dioceses.
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