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The '''Genuine Orthodox Church of America''' (GOCA) is an independent [[Old Calendarists|Old Calendarist]] [[jurisdiction]] based in Buena Vista, Colorado, which sees itself as the only legitimate Orthodox church in America. It is not in [[full communion|communion]] with any Orthodox body. However, it has in the past claimed to maintain communion with the [[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Lamian Synod)|Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece]], headed by Abp. Makarios of Athens. Both Archbishop Makarios himself and his synod have repeatedly stated in official documents that they have no association whatsoever with this group. The GOAC is headed by Abp. [[Gregory (George) of Denver]].
The GOAC was formed out of a group originally under the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]], which later joined three Greek Old Calendarist jurisdictions rapidly in succession (namely, that of Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Athens, the short-lived Synod of Kallinikos of the Duodecanese and Archbishop Makarios of Athens), followed by the [[Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church]] (ROAC) (2000), and is now independent following the ROAC's [[deposition ]] and excommunication of Abp. Gregory (2004).<ref name="ROAC1"> [http://www.roacusa.org/Protocol48.htm ROAC: Protocol № 48 July 2/15, 2004], accessed 28 July 2007</ref><ref name="ROAC2">[http://www.roacusa.org/Ukaz130.htm ROAC: Ukaz № 130]</ref> With its history of being a part of various jurisdictions, the Genuine Orthodox Church of America tends to be in a constant state of hostility toward its former affiliations.
The jurisdiction's [[primate]], [[Gregory (George) of Denver]] (born an [[AOCA|Antiochian]]), who was [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated to the episcopacy]] in the ROAC, claims to be "the only hierarch in the United States who has remained free of any communion or union with this heresy of [[Ecumenism]] who has valid [[apostolic succession]]," and thus claims "to be truly canonical."<ref name="GOCA History">[http://www.gocamerica.org/history_canonicity.shtml Genuine Orthodox Church of America: History & Canonicity], accessed 28 July 2007</ref>
