Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church
in the USA.


The Mother of God-Refuge of Christians




The Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the USA (SOBRONOPRAVNA) is part of the historical Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, begun in Ukraine in 1921 and which continues in the Western Hemisphere and now again in the Motherland today. Our first hierarchy were consecrated in 1942, with the help of the Polish Orthodox Church (see History) and authorized by a bull of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Among those consecrated in 1942, was Metropolitan Hryhorij Ohijchuk, who led the SOBORNOPRAVNA (Council-Ruled) Church for many years. He was succeded by Metropolitan Andrei Praszky and then Metropolitan Alexis Nizza.

The UAOC (SOBORNOPRAVNA) is led by a Council of Hierarchs (Synod) consisting of Major-Archbisop & Metropolitan, Stephan, Primate & Archbishop of Toronto, Metropolitan Michael, Archbishop of Cleveland & the United States, Coadjutor to the Primate, Metropolitan Mosei of Ukraine and Bishops Danylo, Bohdan and Paul Peter, Auxiliary Bishops of Cleveland & the United States. Metropolitan Alexis is still active from his monastic residence in New York. Canonically erected eparchies exist in the United States (which includes Mexico, Central and South America), Canada, Ukraine and Western Europe.

The Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the USA Sobornopravna also has a continuing relationship to the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Western Ukraine. Canonical documents were issued by Metropolitan Wasyl (Bodnarchuk), of Ternopil, who was then functioning as Acting Patriarch of the Church.

We exisit to serve the needs of Ukrainian and other Orthodox faithful and clergy in the Diaspora, particularly those who wish to maintain ties to the Mother Church, while remaining "autocephalous" with a complete ecclesiastical structure and hierarchy (SOBORNOPRAVNA). For information about the orgainization of our Metropolia, see the directory of the various commissions which serve in the function of our church life.

While we recognize the Patriarchate of Kyiv as the historical center of Ukrainian Christianity, by remaining self-governing in the Diaspora, we continue the tradition of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the USA.

The Primate of our Church is His Beatitude, Metropolitan Stephan, Archbishop of Toronto, elected by the clergy and laity.

Our Metropolia consists of parishes, monasteries and institutions in different eparchies (dioceses), throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The Archeparchy of Cleveland and the United States, whose Ordinary is His Eminence, Metropolitan Michael, is comprised of parishes and institutions throughout the continental United States, the Caribbean and South America. The Cathedral Church of the eparchy is SS. Boris & Hlib Cathedral in Cleveland, where the chancery office is also located. The Auxiliary Bishops of Cleveland are His Grace, Bishop Danylo, His Grace, Bishop Bohdan and His Grace, Bishop Paul Peter. They assist the Eparchial Bishop in eparchial administration in various capacities and throughout the extensive regions of the Archeparchy of Cleveland.

The Archeparchy of Canada, with its seat at St. Elias Cathedral in Mississauga, Ontario, is led by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Stephan, who is the Ordinary for all of Canada. He is assisted by the Rt. Rev. Canon, Fr. George Ayoub, Vicar General.

In Ukraine, the UAOC-Sobornopravna is represented in the Archeparchy of Ukraine by His Eminence, Metropolitan Moisei, of Kyiv.

The Eparchy of Western Europe is headed by His Eminence, Metropolitan Michael, Apostolic Administrator. He is assisted by the V. Rev. Archpriest James O'Grady of the United Kingdom, Protosyncellus of the Eparchy. The eparchy has parishes in England, Spain, and elsewhere throughout Western Europe. There is a stavropigial monastic skete in Great Britain as well as monastic communities in other locations of the Eparchy.

Archbishop Mykola, retired as Archbishop of Berlin-Brandenburg continues to serve faithful of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in several regions of Germany.

The Office of the Consistory is located in Cleveland, Ohio. You may reach the offices by phone or fax at (216) 961-9873.

Since we seriously follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our ministry extends also to people of all backgrounds and we have parishes and institutions which use Ukrainian, English, Spanish, Arabic as well as other languages.









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Email: uaoc@uaoc.org