==History==

The contemporary origins of the jurisdiction stem largely from two French religious communities that were originally part of the [[Orthodox Church of France]]: St Michael's Monastery at Bois-Aubry, Touraine, a [[monasticism|monastic]] community following the Rule of St [[Benedict]] of Nursia; and Bethany, a [[laity|lay]] community for [[hesychasm|hesychastic]] spirituality at Gorze, led by Father Alphonse and Rachel Goettmann. After leaving the Orthodox Church of France, the two communities came under the jurisdiction of the [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)]] on the condition that they would be allowed to continue the use of the [[Divine Liturgy according to St Germanus of Paris]] and the Daily Office (Hours) of the ancient Western Church. When it became clear that their use of the Gallican rite would no longer be permitted, the communities, joined by some other clergy and laity, formed the Orthodox Church of the Gauls and elected Abbot Michel bishop.