| Orthodox-Catholic Church of America | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Christian syncretic (Eastern Orthodox/Oriental Orthodox/Western Catholic) |
| Orientation | Western Christianity (Latin Rite)/Eastern Christianity (Byzantine Rite/East Syriac Rite) |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Primate | Vacant |
| Associations | Communion with Catholic Apostolic Church in North America[1] |
| Region | United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Cameroon, Australia |
| Language | English |
| Origin | 1892 United States |
| Separated from | Syriac Orthodox Church (1910) |
The Orthodox-Catholic Church of America (OCCA) is an independent and self-governing Christian syncretic (Eastern Orthodox/Oriental Orthodox/Western Catholic) jurisdiction based in the United States (including the territory of the US Virgin Islands), with clergy also in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Africa, and Australia.[2]
The church celebrates predominantly a version of the Western Liturgy (Roman Rite) though some priests also celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (Byzantine Rite) or the Liturgy of Addai and Mari (East Syriac Rite).[3] The OCCA is not associated with the Eastern Orthodox churches whose bishops are members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America.
The OCCA is governed by a synod of diocesan bishops, currently six. The ecclesial purpose of the OCCA is to be a loving, welcoming and inclusive community where all people can attain the fundamental goal of the Orthodox Catholic faith, summed up by St. Maximos the Confessor (580-662 CE) as "All that God is, except for an identity in being, one becomes when one is deified by grace". This is effected through the worship of God in the Holy Trinity and the proclamation and living of the faith as taught in Holy Scripture, the Apostolic tradition, and the first three ecumenical councils of the Ancient church. The church recognizes sacramental ordination of women to the clergy and homosexual marriage.[4]
The OCCA is one of a number of churches practicing Orthodoxy in an American setting. Its worship and beliefs are influenced by Oriental, Eastern, and Western traditions, and considers itself to be one "self-governing" church out of many in the Orthodox tradition.[3]