[[Image:Antiochian local synod.jpg|right|thumb|350px|'''The Local Synod of the Antiochian Archdiocese'''<br>L to R: Bp. [[Mark (Maymon) of Toledo|Mark]], Bp. [[Basil (Essey) of Wichita|Basil]], Bp. [[Antoun (Khouri) of Miami|Antoun]], Metr. [[Philip (Saliba) of New York|Philip]], Bp. [[Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui) of Los Angeles|Joseph]], Bp. [[Thomas (Joseph) of Charleston and Oakland|Thomas]], Bp. [[Alexander (Mufarrij) of Ottawa|Alexander]]]]The '''Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America''' is the sole jurisdiction of the [[Church of Antioch]] in the USA United States and Canada with exclusive jurisdiction over the Antiochian Orthodox faithful in those countries, though these faithful were originally cared for by . Its current primate is the Most Reverend [[Church Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui) of RussiaNew York|Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui)]] in , Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America.
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{{diocese|
name= The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America|
jurisdiction=[[Church of Antioch|Antioch]]|
type=Self-ruled Archdiocese|
founded=1924|
bishop=[[Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui) of New York|Metr. Joseph]]|
see=New York|
hq=Englewood, New Jersey|
territory=United States and Canada|
language=English, Arabic, Spanish|
music=[[Byzantine Chant]], [[Russian Chant]]|
calendar=[[Revised Julian Calendar|Revised Julian]]|
population=51,000 to 380,000|
website=[http://www.antiochian.org/ Antiochian Archdiocese]
}}
== History of the Archdiocese ==
[[Image:Raphael of Brooklyn.jpg|left|thumb|150px|St. [[Raphael of Brooklyn]]]]
''Main Article: [[History of Antiochian Orthodoxy in America]]''
The first Orthodox bishop [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] in North America, [[Raphael of Brooklyn|St. Raphael Hawaweeny]], was consecrated by the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] in America to care for the Orthodox Arab faithful in the USA and Canada. The Antiochian Archdiocese in North America traces its genesis to his ministry. His initial arrival in America was not to serve in the episcopacy, however, but he came as an [[archimandrite]] in 1895 at the request of members of the Syrian Orthodox Benevolent Society, an ostensibly philanthropic group whose primary purpose was to maintain ties between Orthodox Arabs living in America. He thus came to the US and was canonically received under the [[omophorion]] of Bishop [[Nicholas (Ziorov) of the Aleutians]], the [[Russian Orthodox Church]]'s exarch in America at the time.
Upon arriving in New York, Fr. Raphael established a [[parish]] in lower Manhattan, then the center of the Syrian immigrant community. By 1900, however some 3,000 of these immigrants had moved across the East River, shifting the center of their life to Brooklyn. Thus, in 1902, the parish purchased a larger church building in that borough on Pacific Street. The church was named for St. [[Nicholas of Myra|Nicholas the Wonderworker]], renovated for Orthodox [[worship]], and then consecrated on [[October 27]], 1902, by St. [[Tikhon of Moscow]]. St. Nicholas Cathedral was later relocated to State Street in Brooklyn and is today considered the mother cathedral of the Archdiocese.
== History At the request of St. Tikhon, Fr. Raphael was chosen as his [[auxiliary bishop]], consecrated at [[St. Nicholas Cathedral (New York, New York)|St. Nicholas Cathedral]] as Bishop of Brooklyn and given more authority for his care of Arabic Orthodox Christians in America. Not long after, he founded ''Al-Kalimat'' (''The Word'') magazine, published service books in Arabic which were used in America, the Middle East, and throughout the Arabic Orthodox diaspora. St. Raphael fell asleep in the [[Lord]] at the Archdiocese ==age of 54 on [[February 27]], 1915, after short, but fruitful, years of service.
The first [[Image:St Elias Ottawa.jpg|left|thumb|250px|St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Ottawa, Canada]]However, after the Bolshevik Revolution threw the Russian Orthodox Church and its faithful abroad into chaos, the Orthodox bishop consecrated Arab faithful in North America, simultaneously shaken by the death of their beloved bishop St. Raphael, chose to come under the direct care of the [[Raphael Church of BrooklynAntioch|StPatriarchate of Antioch]]. Raphael HawaweenyDue to internal conflicts, however, the Antiochian Orthodox faithful in North America were divided between two [[archdiocese]]s, those of New York and Toledo, was consecrated by generally representing those who were loyal to the [[Church of Antioch]] and the [[Russian Orthodox Church|Church of Russia]], respectively. This division of the Arabic faithful resulted significantly from the division in loyalty to the bishops who aligned themselves at the time with the [[Orthodox Church in America|Russian Metropolia]], those who were involved with the formation of the now-defunct [[American Orthodox Catholic Church]], and those who chose to have canonical recourse directly to the [[Holy Synod]] of Antioch.{{orthodoxyinamerica}}With the signing of the Articles of Reunification by Metropolitan [[Philip (Saliba) of New York|Philip (Saliba)]] and Metropolitan [[Michael (Shaheen) of Toledo|Michael (Shaheen)]] in America to care for 1975, the two Antiochian Orthodox Arab faithful archdioceses were united as one Archdiocese of North America (now with its headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey). Metropolitan Philip became the primate of the USA newly reunified archdiocese, and CanadaMetropolitan Michael became an auxiliary archbishop. Through his effortsSince then the Archdiocese has experienced rapid and significant growth through the [[conversion]] of a number of Evangelical Protestants—both individually and as congregations, what is known today as especially with the reception of the majority of the [[Evangelical Orthodox Church]] in the 1980s—and also through ongoing evangelization and the immigration of Orthodox Arabs from the Antiochian Archdiocese came into beingMiddle East.
However== The Archdiocese today ==Its current primate is Metropolitan [[Philip (Saliba) of New York|Philip (Saliba)]], after the who has six [[auxiliary bishop|auxiliary]] [[Bolshevik Revolutionbishop]] threw s assisting him in caring for the nine [[Church of Russia|Russian Orthodox Churchdiocese]] and its faithful abroad into chaoss of the growing Archdiocese, which is the third largest Orthodox Arab faithful Christian [[jurisdiction]] in North America, simultaneously shaken by having 236 communities (38 of which are missions). Estimates of the death number of their beloved bishop St. Raphaelfaithful range from 51, chose 320 to come under the direct care of the 84,000[[Church of Antioch|Patriarchate of Antiochhttp://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/quick_question17.html]]. Due to internal conflicts, however380, 000[http://www.electronicchurch.org/2002/NCC_members.htm] depending on the report and the counting method being used. The number of new Antiochian Orthodox faithful parishes in North America were divided the decade between two 1990 and 2000 rose by approximately 33%, and the primary membership growth in the Archdiocese has been from American converts.[[archdiocesehttp://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/tab2.pdf]]sFrom 2003 to 2005, those an increase of New York and Toledo1, generally representing those who were loyal to 229 communicants was reported at the [[Church conventions, an increase of Antioch]] and the [[Church of Russia]], respectively2.5%.
With The Archdiocese also includes the signing [[Western Rite Vicariate]], a group of the Articles of Reunification by Metropolitan about 16 [[Philip (Saliba) of New York|PHILIP (Saliba)parish]] es and Metropolitan 7 missions which worship according to the [[Michael (Shaheen) of Toledo|MICHAEL (Shaheen)Western Rite]] in 1975, the two Antiochian Orthodox archdioceses were united as one Archdiocese of North America (now with its headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey). Metropolitan PHILIP became the primate and Metropolitan MICHAEL became an auxiliary archbishop. Since then the Archdiocese has experienced rapid and significant growth through the conversion of a number of Evangelical Protestants (both individually and as congregations) and also through ongoing evangelization and the immigration of Orthodox Arabs from the Middle East.
== The [[Image:Antiochian bishops.jpg|left|thumb|250px|'''New bishops with the patriarch'''<br>Left to Right: Bp. [[Mark (Maymon) of Toledo|Mark]], Patr. [[Ignatius IV (Hazim) of Antioch|Ignatius IV]], Bp. [[Thomas (Joseph) of Charleston and Oakland|Thomas]], Bp. [[Alexander (Mufarrij) of Ottawa|Alexander]]]]On [[October 9]], 2003, the [[Holy Synod]] of the [[Church of Antioch]] granted the Archdiocese Today == 's request to be granted self-rule (as distinct from [[autonomy]], and though the words have the same literal meaning in English, they are distinct in Arabic) to allow it to better govern itself, improve and increase its outreach efforts, internally organize itself into several dioceses, and continue progress toward Orthodox administrative unity in the Americas. Three new [[bishop]]s were consecrated in December of 2004 to assist in the governance of the reorganized Archdiocese.
Its current primate is Metropolitan The Archdiocese also includes one [[Philip (Saliba) of New Yorkmonasticism|PHILIP (Saliba)monastic]]community, who has six other diocesan [[bishopSt. Paul Skete (Grand Junction, Tennessee)]]s assisting him in caring , a community for the nine [[diocese]]s women. It does not run any of the growing Archdioceseits own seminaries, which is the third largest Orthodox Christian but sends its seminarians to theological schools run by other [[jurisdiction]] in North Americas or overseas. It also includes the [[Western Rite Vicariate]]The Archdiocese does run various non-seminary educational programs, however, a group of about 20 [[parish]]es who follow including the [[Western RiteSt. Stephen's Course in Orthodox Theology]].
On 9 October 2003 The Antiochian Archdiocese is also a member of the [[Holy SynodAssembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America]]which superseded [[SCOBA] ] and was formerly a member of the [[Church National Council of AntiochChurches]] granted the Archdiocese's request to be granted self-rule (as distinct from NCC), but on [[autonomyJuly 28]], though the words have the same literal meaning) to allow it to better govern itself2005, improve and increase its outreach effortsArchdiocesan Convention voted unanimously to withdraw fully from that organization, internally organize itself into several dioceses, and progress further on the road to thus making it the administrative unity first of the major Orthodox Church jurisdictions in the AmericasUS to do so.
The Antiochian Archdiocese is also Additionally, the 2005 convention voted another first for a member major American Orthodox jurisdiction: to alter the assessment-based model of archdiocesan revenue to a [[SCOBAtithing|tithe]](10%) of each parish's income (excepting building funds), to be phased in at 8% in 2007 and then followed by 1% increases in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Of the Archdiocese's 236 communities, 31 are already tithing.
== The Episcopacy =Diocesan structure===*[[Diocese of Charleston, Oakland, and the Mid-Atlantic (Antiochian)|Diocese of Charleston, Oakland, and the Mid-Atlantic]]*[[Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest (Antiochian)|Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest]]*[[Diocese of Los Angeles and the West (Antiochian)|Diocese of Los Angeles and the West]]*[[Diocese of Miami and the Southeast (Antiochian)|Diocese of Miami and the Southeast]]*[[Diocese of New York and Washington, DC (Antiochian)|Diocese of New York and Washington, D.C]].*[[Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada and Upstate New York (Antiochian)|Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada and Upstate New York]].*[[Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest (Antiochian)|Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest]]*[[Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America (Antiochian)|Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America]]*[[Diocese of Worcester and New England (Antiochian)|Diocese of Worcester and New England]]
Metropolitan [[Philip (Saliba) ===Membership figures===According to the November 2007 issue of New York|PHILIP the ''Word'' magazine (Salibap. 5)[http://www.antiochian.org/assets/word/NOV2007WORD.PDF]] of New York and Washington, D.C. (Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England)following membership figures were reported at the 2007 Archdiocesan Convention:
Bishop [[Antoun (Khouri) of Miami|ANTOUN (Khouri)]] of Miami and the Southeast
Bishop {| border="1" class="toccolours" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="clear:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; font-size:95%; text-align:left; border-collapse: collapse;"|-| colspan="4" style="text-align:center; font-size:150%;" | Archdiocese membership figures (2007)|- style="vertical-align: top;"| '''Diocese'''| '''Parishes'''| '''Baptized souls'''|-|- style="vertical-align: top;"| [[Basil Diocese of New York and Washington, DC (EsseyAntiochian) |Archdiocesan District]]| 15 | 4639 |- style="vertical-align: top;"| [[Diocese of WichitaOttawa, Eastern Canada and Upstate New York (Antiochian)|Ottawa]] | 18 | 6617 |- style="vertical-align: top;"|BASIL [[Diocese of Charleston, Oakland, and the Mid-Atlantic (EsseyAntiochian)|Charleston and Oakland]] | 29 | 5838|- style="vertical-align: top;"| [[Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America(Antiochian)|Wichita]] | 45| 6976|- style="vertical-align: top;"| [[Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest (Antiochian)|Toledo]] | 45| 11145|- style="vertical-align: top;"| [[Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest (Antiochian)|Eagle River]]| 20| 2257|- style="vertical-align: top;"| [[Diocese of Worcester and New England (Antiochian)|Worcester]]| 11| 4547 |- style="vertical-align: top;"| [[Diocese of Miami and the Southeast (Antiochian)|Miami]]| 36| 4055|- style="vertical-align: top;"| [[Diocese of Los Angeles and the West (Antiochian)|Los Angeles]]| 33| 8594 |- style="vertical-align: top;"| '''Total''' | '''252'''| '''54667''' |}
Bishop == The Episcopacy =====Current bishops===*Most Reverend [[Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui) of Los Angeles|JOSEPH Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui)]] , Bishop of Los Angeles and the West (, ''Locum Tenens '' of the Diocese of Eagle Riverand the Northwest *Right Reverend [[Antoun (Khouri) of Miami|Antoun (Khouri)]], Bishop of Miami *Right Reverend [[Basil (Essey) of Wichita|Basil (Essey)]], AlaskaBishop of Wichita and Mid-America*Right Reverend [[Thomas (Joseph)of Charleston and Oakland|Thomas (Joseph)]], Bishop of Charleston/Oakland*Right Reverend [[Alexander (Mufarrij) of Ottawa|Alexander (Mufarrij)]], Bishop of Ottawa*Right Reverend [[John (Abdalah) of Worcester|John (Abdalah)]], Bishop of Worcester and New England*Right Reverend [[Anthony (Michaels) of Toledo|Anthony (Michaels)]], Bishop of Toledo and the Midwest*Right Reverend [[Nicholas (Ozone) of Brooklyn|Nicholas (Ozone)]], Bishop of Brooklyn
Bishop [[Thomas (Joseph) of Pittsburgh|THOMAS (Joseph)]] of Pittsburgh and the East
Bishop ===Primates===*New York Archdiocese (1924-1975)**Metropolitan [[Mark Victor (MaymonAbo-Assaley) of ToledoNew York|MARK Victor (MaymonAbo-Assaley)]] , 1924-1935**Metropolitan [[Anthony (Bashir) of Toledo and the MidwestNew York|Anthony (Bashir)]], 1936-1966**Metropolitan [[Philip (Saliba) of New York|Philip (Saliba)]], 1966-1975
Bishop *Toledo Archdiocese (1936-1975)**Metropolitan [[Alexander Samuel (MufarrijDavid) of OttawaToledo|ALEXANDER Samuel (MufarrijDavid)]] , 1936-1958**Metropolitan [[Michael (Shaheen) of OttawaToledo|Michael (Shaheen)]], Eastern Canada and Upstate New York1958-1975
*Archdiocese of North America (1975-present)
**Metropolitan [[Philip (Saliba) of New York|Philip (Saliba)]], 1975-2014
Bishop ===Former bishops===*Right Reverend [[Demetri (Khoury) of ToledoJableh|DEMETRI Demetri (Khoury)]], Auxiliary Bishop (retired)auxiliary bishop for Toledo
== External links Book==* [http://wwwCorey, George S.antiochian, ed.org/ Official Website of the Archdiocese]* [http''The First One Hundred Years: a Centennial Anthology Celebrating Antiochian Orthodoxy in North America'', Englewood, NJ://www.antiochpat.org/ Official Website of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch]Antakya Press, 1995 (ISBN 0962419028)
==External links==
[[Image:Antiochian logo.jpg|right|The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America]]
*[http://www.antiochian.org/ Official Website of the Archdiocese]
*[http://www.antiochpat.org/ Official Website of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch]
*[http://www.antiochian.org/668 History of the Archdiocese] (book excerpt)
[[Category:Jurisdictions]]
[[Category:Dioceses]]
[[Category:Antiochian Dioceses|North America]]
[[fr:Archevêché orthodoxe antiochien d'Amérique du Nord]]
[[ro:Arhiepiscopia Creștină Ortodoxă Antiohiană a Americii de Nord]]