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'''Old Calendarists''' are groups of Orthodox Christians who are in various levels oppose the use of "resistance" against the mainstream Revised Julian liturgical calendar (a calendar with similarities to the Gregorian, combined with the Orthodox churches, identified mainly by their insistence on Paschalion) in the early 20th century to the extent of breaking or limiting Communion with those Orthodox who use of the Revised Julian Calendarcalendar. They are to be distinguished from Citing the mainstream churches which simply follow 16th-century anathemas against the [[Julian Calendar]] yet remain Gregorian calendar issued by three Patriarchal and Pan-Orthodox Synods in [[full communion]] with Constantinople, as well as various condemnations by multiple local synods, they have become some of the most or all vocal critics not only of the new liturgical calendar, but of world Orthodoxy. Many Old Calendarists today say that their concerns about [[ecumenism]] are more significant than calendar issues. The mainstream churches have varying positions on different Old Calendarist churchesin general, ranging from an active desire to restore unity to a denial which is seen as the ultimate cause of the Old Calendarists' Orthodoxy. Some Old Calendarist groups are styled as '''True Orthodox''' or '''Genuine Orthodox''', and both terms are used in this article. Some may also style themselves '''Traditionalist Orthodox'''calendar revision.{{TOCright}}

====The Florinite/Matthewite schism====By In 1920, the 1940sPatriarchal Locum Tenens, two parties had formed within Dorotheus of Prusa, issued the Church Encyclical "Unto the Churches of GreeceChrist Everywhere"<ref>[http: //incommunion.org/?p=142]</ref>, which officially marked the [[Florinites]] (under Metropolitan [[Chrysostom entrance of Florina]]) and Orthodox participation in the Ecumenical Movement. (See [[MatthewitesEcumenism]] (under Bp. [[Matthew of Bresthena]]). The issue had been Encyclical, tied to the formerformation of the League of Nations and with that end in mind, gave eleven suggestions so "'s vacillation on whether 'that above all, love should be rekindled and strengthened among the mysteries churches, so that they should no more consider one another as strangers and foreigners, but as relatives, and as being a part of the State Church were still grace-filled. Both sides had their respective justifications for their positionshousehold of Christ and “fellow heirs, members of the same body and both were violently persecuted by partakers of the statepromise of God in Christ” (Eph. 3:6). ''" (par. 6.) The Matthewites were holding a more consistently applied position. That they labelled first of the suggestions was "''By the Florinites as acceptance of a whole as opportunists who were trying to ingratiate themselves with the state was unfortunate, and not altogether true uniform calendar for the followers celebration of Metropolitan Chrysostom, and so the parties became psychologically distinctgreat Christian feasts at the same time by all the churches.''"

In the end1921, a real physical division council was formedcalled in Athens, whereas a real doctrinal division ended: Bishop Matthew singlehandedly consecrated another bishop, and together they made more new bishops. After the death led by Metropolitan [[Germanos of Bishop MatthewDemetrias]], however, Chrysostom of Florina reaffirmed the decision Vice-President of 1935 declaring the New Calendar State Church as Holy Synod, deposing Archbishop [[schismMeletios_IV_(Metaxakis)_of_Constantinople|Meletios (Metaxakis)]]atic. (The reasons of Athens, who had previously known for this are unclearecumenical activity, and speculations give various answersfor recognizing the revolutionary Venizelos government in Greece.) In any case Meletios was recognized as Patriarch of Constantinople on November 21, 1921, where he began his programs anew, though previously his candidacy was declined by the Matthewites proceeded to elect Archbishop Agathagelos to the rank of Primate Holy Synod of Athens Constantinople in 19581912.

We will deal first with In 1923, a "Pan-Orthodox Congress" (not a normal term for any Orthodox meeting of hierarchs) was held under the presidency of Meletios composed of members, specifically six Bishops, two laymen, and an archimandrite, of a few of the local Churches (none of the major divisions members of the FlorinitesPentarchy save Constantinople sent representatives). [[Anastasy (Gribanovsky) of Kishinev|Metropolitan Anastassy]] of the Russian Church Abroad attended its initial meeting, since their divisions have generally having been larger in the area. He declared that the Synod had given him no instructions on the matter and soon departed. In total, less than half of the local Churches were represented by anyone.<ref>http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/photii_2.aspx Bishop Photii of Triaditsa, "The 70th Anniversary of the Pan-Orthodox Congress", Orthodox Life, 1&2, 1994</ref> The purpose of the meeting was to implement the suggestions of the 1920 document, along with other proposals that were largely rejected, such as the elevation of married men to the Episcopate and the remarriage of widowed priests (sessions three and more permanent four). Representatives of the Anglican Church were present at the final meetings, specifically former Bishop Gore of Oxford. At these meetings, it was decided that nothing stood in the way of Orthodox-Anglican ecclesiastical union. In response, a five-member commission in natureGreece (of whom then Archimandrite, later Archbishop, Chrysostom Papadopolous of Athens) determined to study the question of the use of the New Calendar and then found that "''Not a single one of them [local Orthodox Churches] can separate from the others and adopt the New Calendar without becoming schismatic in relation to the others.''"<ref>''Journal of the Government of the MatthewitesGreek Kingdom'', chapter 1, 24/25. 1. 1923, No. 8, see also ''OEM'', 1989, Chapter 17, p. 73, as noted in [http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/photii_2.aspx]</ref>

==Greece==Divisions within the Florinites====After the death of Metropolitan Chrysostom, the Florinites had no bishops, and Metropolitan Chrysostom advised his flock to go under the protection of the Matthewite bishops. Fearing the repercussions, however, the Florinites opted to seek a new hierarchy and appealed to Bishops of the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]] to help them. In 1960, Archimandrite Akakios Pappas was made a bishop with the title of Bishop of Talantion for these communities without the official blessing of the ROCOR Synod by [http://www.roca.org/life_of_archbishop_seraphim.htm Archbishop Seraphim of Chicago] and Bp. Theophilos Ionescu, a Romanian New Calendar Bishop under the ROCOR. The following year, the ROCOR elected and ordained Archimandrite Petros Astyfides as Bishop of Astoria in order to serve as archpastor of the Greek Old Calendarist immigrant communities in the United States and Canada. Later Bp. Akakios of Talantion and Archbishop Leonty of Chile (ROCOR) ordained five more bishops in Greece. Thus in 1961, Akakios of Talantion became the new First-Hierarch of the restored Florinite Synod. He died, however, in 1963. The Synod thus proceeded to elect Auxentios Pastras, Bishop of Gardikion, to be their new leader as Archbishop of Athens. The ROCOR under Metropolitan Philaret eventually recognized the validity of the secret consecrations in 1969.

All ====The True Orthodox Church of Greece====[[Image:1925cr1.jpg|thumb|110px|An artist's rendering of the current divisions appearance of the Florinites come from one Sign of the groups below:Cross near Athens, 1925]]

'''The Auxentios Synod''': The First Florinite Synod In 1924, the [[bishop]]s of the True Orthodox [[Church of Greece was fraught with problems by the 1970s]], and two major separations occurred during the lifetime of under Archbishop Auxentios. However, few doubt that Archbishop Auxentios himself was of a saintly character, albeit a poor bishop. Recently there have been attempts to rehabilitate his memory Chrysostom (Archbishop Auxentios died in 1994Papadopoulos); most of his synod, barely held together by implemented the 1980s, dissolved after his death into calendar change discussed at the three jurisdictions listed below"Pan-Orthodox Congress" of 1923. In 1986response, Auxentios was removed from the Archdiocese Metropolitan [[Germanos of Athens and the leadership of the Old Calendar Church of Greece by a majority the Florinite bishops on account of a series of controversial episcopal ordinations conducted Demetrias]], retired in the early 1980s with his apparent censentprotest. Having the support of the dissenting minority of bishops, Auxentios proceeded The "Old Calendarist" movement arose to re-form his Synod. He died in 1994, having failed to reconcile with oppose the rest adoption of the Florinite Synod, under Chrysostom KiousisRevised Julian calendar. The remaining parishes movement was sustained by Athonite monks that encouraged the rejection of the Auxentios Synodcalendar change, however, elected Archbishop Maximos hundreds of Kephalonia parish clergy that refused to recognize the throne calendar change, as well as dozens of Athens on monasteries throughout Greece. Lay groups and [[January 7brotherhoods]], 1995. In North America and Europe, the parishes loyal formed to Auxentios under keep the American Bishops organized around Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston (see HOCNA), left use of the Synod[[Julian calendar]] alive, and elected Makarios of Toronto as locum tenens of the see of Athensdespite state persecution.

'''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Florinite)|The Chrysostomite Synod]]''': Amidst charges of maladministrationIn 1925, perhaps the majority of most well-known phenomenon in the Florinite synod chose in 1986 Old Calendar movement occurred: a new leader large cross over an secret Old Calendar Church in Archbishop Chrysostom (Kiousis), who demonstrated rather effectively that 1925 during the feast of the True Orthodox in Greece were a force to be reckoned with. Choosing to take on exaltation of the Greek legal systemHoly Cross, court cases were held where it was demonstrated that the Old Calendarists of Greece were not schismatics. Though their public reputation had been tarnished over nearly witnessed by approximately two decades of divisionsthousand people, their legal existence was, and is presently, safe. The synod of Chrysostom of Athens is today including police intent on arresting the largest synod clergy of the True Orthodox Church group, many of Greecewhom converted that night.<ref>[http://www.orthodox.net/articles/cross-in-athens.html]</ref>

'''The [[Holy Synod in Resistance|Synod-in-Resistance]] of Metropolitan Cyprian In 1935, after more than 10 years, three Metropolitans, Germanos of Fili''': While this church's official [[ecclesiology]] is peculiarDemetrias, the amount of work that former Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili and his synod have done to assist True Orthodox throughout the world is impressiveFlorina, Chrysostom (Kavouridis) and must be noted. The church itself is rather small, but has been very effective in presenting intellectual arguments against the New Calendar State Church. It is headed by another defector from the Auxentios Synod, Cyprian Chrysostomos (KoutsoumbasDemetriou) of Fili, and holds an ecclesiology Zakynthos declared the Archbishop of “sick" and “healthy" churches, thus avoiding the repercussions that inevitably follow referring to the majority Athens as subject to a schismatic body. Their ecclesiology is considered heretical by the more rigorist elements of the True Orthodox who have been influenced by Matthewite positions.and declared:

'''[[Genuine Orthodox "Those who now administer the Church of Greece (Lamian Synod)|The Synod have divided the unity of Orthodoxy through the calendar innovation, and have split the Greek Orthodox People into two opposing calendar parts. They have not only violated an Ecclesiastical Tradition which was consecrated by the Seven Ecumenical Councils and sanctioned by the age-old practice of Archbishop Makarios the Eastern Orthodox Church, but have also touched the Dogma of Athens (Lamian Synod)]]''': In 1995the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Therefore those who now administer the Greek Church have, by their unilateral, a resistance faction anticanonical and unthinking introduction of six bishops formed within the synod Gregorian calendar, cut themselves off completely from the trunk of Chrysostom (Kiousis) Orthodoxy, and separated itself over what they claimed have declared themselves to be a series in essence schismatics in relation to the Orthodox Churches which stand on the foundation of canonical infractionsthe Seven Ecumenical Councils and the Orthodox laws and Traditions, headed by Metropolitan Kallinikos of Lamia. The charges related to the trial Churches of Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Euthymios (Orphanos)Jerusalem, Antioch, Serbia, who had been charged with moral infractionsPoland, the Holy Mountain and the election God-trodden Mountain of Bishop Vikentios (Malamatenios) Sinai, etc....That this is so was confirmed by the Commission made up of Avlona as Metropolitan the best jurists and theologian-professors of Peiraeus. By early 1997, the bishops headed by Kallinikos of Lamia had fragmented into three groupsNational University which was appointed to study the calendar question, and one of which reconciled with whose members happened to be his Blessedness the Archbishop Chrysostom (Kiousis)of Athens in his then capacity as professor of Church History in the National University. A second group, Paisios Loulourgas (Met. of America) and Vikentios Malamatenios (titular Bp. Since his Beatitude the Archbishop of Avlona)Athens has by his own signature declared himself to be a Schismatic, submitted what need do we have of witnesses to demonstrate that he and the Ecumenical Patiarchate. Later hierarchs who think like him have become Schismatics, in that same year, Kallinikos they have split the unity of Lamia Orthodoxy through the calendar innovation and divided the Ecclesiastical and Euthymios ethnic soul of Thessaloniki proceeded to ordain five the Greek Orthodox People?"''<ref>[[bishop|titular bishop]http://www.orthodoxchristianbooks.com/downloads/92_NEW_ZION_IN_BABYLON_PART_3.pdf]s Cited in an attempt to create a new synod. In 2003Moss, they finally decided to elect a primate''New Zion in Babylon'', and elected Makarios (Kavakides) of Athens. A good deal of their membership was then lostPart 3, as many who did not see themselves as separate from the Kiousis synod were forced to decide between the twop.92</ref>

====Divisions within From April 23rd to April 26th 1935 the Matthewites====For all ordination of four new bishops took place. Ordained were the negative press the Matthewites have received over the years due to the strictness Archmandrites: Germanos (Barikopoulos) as Bishop of Kyklades, Christoforos (Hatzis) as Bishop of their positionMegaris, their church has been strangely free from long lasting schisms. Only two separations are worthy Polycarp (Liosis) as Bishop of note from the main bodyDiavleia, and while they had Bishop Matthew (Karpathakes) of Bresthena).<ref>[http://www.hotca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71:the potential to destroy -change-in-the unity that exists within -calendar-of-the Matthewite True Orthodox Church -church-of Greece, they did not.-greece&catid=23:goc-history&Itemid=71]</ref>

====The first Primate of Athens selected by Florinite/Matthewite schism====By the Matthewites was Agathangelos of Athens1940s, who reposed in 1967. Andreas of Athens, one two parties had formed within the Church of Greece: the original three bishops made, was elected to the primacy in 1972; unitl his death in 2005 he was one [[Florinites]] (under Metropolitan [[Chrysostom (Kavourides) of the oldest Florina]]) and longest-reigning of Orthodox bishops in the world[[Matthewites]] (under Bp. '''[[True Orthodox Church of Greece Matthew (MatthewiteKarpathakis)|The Synod of Archbishop NicholasBresthena]]). The schism originated in Metropolitan Chrysostom''': In February, 2003, Archbishop Andreas s hesitation to consider the mysteries of Athens retiredthe State Church as graceless, and Archbishop Nicholas whereas the adherents of Athens, considered by many to have a progressive vision for Bishop Matthew (the Matthewite church, was elected. Extremely popular with younger "Matthewites, Archbishop Nicholas seems generally poised to keep ") maintained the Matthewite synod united. However, it has been advanced rigorist position: that Archbishop Andreas retired in violation of the canonsState Church was schismatic and therefore graceless.

'''The Kirykite faction''': Not a schism properIn 1948, Bishop Matthew singlehandedly consecrated another bishop, Metropolitan Kirykos and two other together they made more new bishops of , furthering the synod refused rift and causing many former Matthewite clergy to recognize join ranks with the retirement of Archbishop Andreas or Florintes. After the enthronement death of the new ArchbishopBishop Matthew, however, but continued to remain a member Chrysostom of Florina reaffirmed the Synod decision of Archbishop Nicholas1935 declaring the New Calendar State Church as [[schism]]atic. The risk of declaration had as its motivation to heal the Matthewite schism exists. Nonetheless, but is small&mdash;one the irenic gesture went unheeded and the Matthewites proceeded to elect Archbishop Agathagelos to the rank of Kyrikos' vocal supporters have since died; another Matthewite Bishop Primate of the Synod has passed on recently Athens in Metr Gorgonios, and there were rumors he too supported Metropolitan Kirykos1958.

'''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Matthewite)|''The Gregorian Synod]]Florinites''''': Under the primacy of Andreas of Athens, there were virtually no divisions in the Matthewites until 1995, when Metropolitan Gregory of Messinia separated with a small majority of the synod (five versus four), ostensibly over the issue of the "God the Father" [[icon]] and the related issues of Western-style icons in general. However, with the deaths of three of their bishops, the remaining two split, one remaining completely alone from the eldest hierarch, and the with Gregorios of Messinia naming three more bishops (Abramios, Pavlos, and Nectarios).

For all intents After the death of Metropolitan Chrysostom, the Florinites had no bishops, and Metropolitan Chrysostom advised his flock to go under the protection of the Matthewite bishops. Fearing the repercussions, however, the Florinites opted to seek a new hierarchy and purposesappealed to Bishops of the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]] to help them. In 1960, it would appear that there are still only two actual Matthewite synodsArchimandrite Akakios Pappas was made a bishop with the title of Bishop of Talantion for these communities without the official blessing of the ROCOR Synod by Archbishop [[Seraphim (Ivanov) of Chicago]]<ref>[http://www.roca.org/life_of_archbishop_seraphim.htm]</ref> and Bishop [[Theophilus (Ionescu) of Sèvres|Theophilus (Ionescu)]], an anti-communist Romanian bishop under the ROCOR, whose parishes followed the new calendar. The following year, the ROCOR elected and ordained Archimandrite Petros Astyfides as Bishop of Astoria in order to serve as archpastor of the Greek Old Calendarist immigrant communities in the United States and Canada. Later Bishop Akakios of Talantion and Archbishop [[Leontius (Filipovich) of Chile]]<ref>[http://users.sisqtel.net/williams/archbishopleonty.html]</ref> of ROCOR ordained five more bishops in Greece. Thus in 1961, Akakios of Talantion became the new First-Hierarch of the restored Florinite Synod. He died, however, in 1963. The Synod thus proceeded to elect Auxentios Pastras, Bishop of Gardikion, to be their new leader as Archbishop of Athens. The ROCOR under Metropolitan Philaret recognized the validity of the consecrations in 1969.

====Other groupings====''Divisions within the Florinites'' There was once a list posted The Restored Florinite Synod of over 30 the True Orthodox Greek Churches. This is in fact an unrealistic number. The number comes from an Old Internet listing Church of Bishops Greece was fraught with problems by the 1970s, and Synodstwo major separations occurred during the lifetime of Archbishop Auxentios. However, some few doubt that Archbishop Auxentios himself was of whom had no followinga saintly character, and had one, if any Bishopalbeit a poor bishop. A demented compilation designed Recently there have been attempts to confuse as well as [[convert]]rehabilitate his memory (Archbishop Auxentios died in 1994); most of his synod, this infamous list indicated even temporary unions as existing jurisdictionsbarely held together by the 1980s. As wellIn 1979, two Florinite Metropolitans, Kallistos of Corinth and Antonios of Attica, even unilaterally consecrated seven Archimandrites to the episcopacy in an attempt to counteract the Moscow Patriarchate was involved irregularities they perceived in the administration of Archbishop Auxentios. This led to the formation of one the short-lived '''Kallistite Synod''', most of these Bishops (Joachim Souris), and so whose members reconciled themselves with the author is limiting main body of the discussion to True Orthodox Churches with actual memberships and hierarchies-- in other words, actual ChurchesFlorinite Synod by 1985.

===Russia=======Inside Russia====With '''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Florinite)|The Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece]]''': In 1986, Archbishop Auxentios was removed from the Archdiocese of Athens and the leadership of the Declaration Old Calendar Church of Metropolitan Sergius Greece. The Florinite Synod chose in 19271986 a new leader in Archbishop Chrysostom (Kiousis), who demonstrated rather effectively that the True Orthodox bishops in Russia began Greece were a force to be reckoned with. Choosing to apply [[Ukaz Notake on the Greek legal system, court cases were held where it was demonstrated that the Old Calendarists of Greece were not schismatics. 362]] Though their public reputation had been tarnished over nearly two decades of Patriarch Stdivisions, their legal existence was, and is presently, safe. [[Tikhon The synod of Archbishop Chrysostom of Athens represents today the main body of the True Orthodox Church of Moscow|Tikhon]] Greece. IN 2010, Archbishop Chrysostomos fell asleep in the Lord and became administratively independent until such time as they could operate freelywas succeeded by Archbishop Kallinikos (Sarantopoulos).

Ukaz No. 362 '''The Auxentios Synod''': Archbishop Auxentios was written to preserve removed in 1986 by the Orthodox Church Florinite Synod on account of a series of controversial episcopal ordinations conducted in times the early 1980s with his apparent consent. Having the support of persecution so that the Churches could survivedissenting minority of bishops, Auxentios proceeded to form a counter Synod. It gives He died in 1994, having failed to reconcile with the bishops Florinite Synod under Archbishop Chrysostom. The remaining parishes of the Russian ChurchAuxentios Synod, temporarilyhowever, the right to self-govern apart from each other until such time elected Archbishop Maximos of Kephalonia as they can organizepresident in 1995. It is considered However, after a series of questionable ordinations and maladministration by some to be Archbishop Maximos, the Auxentios Synod dissolved in the mid 1990's. In 2006, clergy and a masterpiece bishop (Metropolitan Athanasios of self-preservation Larissa) from the Auxentios Synod reconciled themselves with the main body of the Old Calendar Church in a time where Greece and were admitted into the rules Synod of canonical order could not be followed Archbishop Chrysostom. In North America, the parishes loyal to Auxentios under the American Bishops organized around Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston (HOCNA), left the letter due to Synod, and elected Makarios of Toronto as locum tenens of the see of Athens. Since 2008, HOCNA has been in a cordial dialogue with the difficulty Synod of Archbishop Chrysostom in hope of travel and so forthestablishing closer ties.

'''The number [[Holy Synod in Resistance|Synod-in-Resistance]] of Metropolitan Cyprian of catacomb churches Fili''': The Synod in Resistance has its origins in Russia the short-lived Kallistite Synod of 1979-1985. While its official [[ecclesiology]] is peculiar, the amount of work that Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili and his synod have done to date fairly largeassist the True Orthodox Church of Greece throughout the world is impressive, and even today no one knows where all must be noted. The church itself is rather small, but has been very effective in presenting intellectual arguments against the Church of them areGreece. The history It is headed by another defector from the Auxentios Synod, Cyprian (Koutsoumbas) of Fili, and holds an ecclesiology of “sick" and “healthy" churches, thus avoiding the repercussions that inevitably follow referring to the different catacomb [[episcopate]]s since 1927 is still not completely documented. There are also questions majority as subject to a schismatic body. Their ecclesiology is considered heretical by some of the more rigorist elements of the True Orthodox, although they were condemned on an ecclesiological basis by the legitimacy Synod of certain catacomb bishopsArchbishop Chrysostom of Athens in 1986. SadlyIn 2008, these questions will have to be determined by the Synod in Resistance and the Synod of Archbishop Chrysostom met for a future allnumber of high-Russian Councilprofile meetings in the hope of developing closer ties.<ref>[http://www.synodinresistance.org/Administration_en/E1a4028AnakoinosisDialogoy2-08.pdf]</ref>

===='''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Lamian Synod)|The True Makarian ("Free"Lamian) Russian Orthodox Church and its divisions====Synod]]''': In 19901995, ROCOR had announced that a bishop had secretly been consecrated resistance faction of six bishops formed within the synod of Chrysostom (Kiousis) and separated itself over what they claimed to be a series of canonical infractions, headed by Metropolitan Kallinikos (Hatzis) of Lamia. The charges related to assist the believers in Russia trial of Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Euthymios (Bishop Varnava of CannesOrphanos), who then proceededhad been charged with moral infractions, with and the blessing election of Bishop Vikentios (Malamatenios) of Avlona as Metropolitan of Peiraeus. By early 1997, the Synodmovement had fragmented into three groups, one of which reconciled with Archbishop Chrysostom (Kiousis). A second group, Paisios Loulourgas (Met. of America) and Vikentios Malamatenios (titular Bp. of Avlona), submitted to make more bishops for Russiathe Ecumenical Patiarchate. Later that same year, the most prominent being Bishop Valentine Kallinikos of Lamia and Euthymios of Suzdal Thessaloniki proceeded to ordain five [[bishop|titular bishop]]s in an attempt to create a new synod. In 2003, they finally decided to elect a primate, and Lazarus elected Makarios (Kavakides) of TambovAthens. A good deal of their membership was then lost, as many who did not see themselves as separate from the Kiousis synod were forced to decide between the two.

'''[[Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church|The Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church]]''': The Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church (ROAC) is by far the largest of the Russian True Orthodox Churches, with hundreds of parishes in Russia and abroad, and also one of the most controversial. Headed by Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal and Vladimir, the synod has twelve bishops and is enjoying a period of intense persecution on the part of the [[Church of Russia|state church]]. One bishop, Gregory (George/Abu Asaly) of Colorado, recently parted ways with the ROAC synod after having been both canonically retired and excommunicated. He initially took 2 parishes in America with him but they have now left him along with most of his monastics and parishioners. His group is the self-styled the 'Matthewites''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of America]]'''^{[http://www.gocamerica.org/]} (Not to be confused with the newly autonomous Genuine Greek Orthodox Church in America headed by Metropolitan Pavlos of Astoria that is in communion with its mother Church, the GOC headed by Archbishop Chrysostomos II.) Gregory and his believers numbering in the teens believes himself to be the last bishop left in America.

'''[[Russian True-Orthodox Church (Lazarus)|The True Russian Orthodox Church]]''': BpFor all the negative press the Matthewites have received over the years due to the strictness of their position, their church has been strangely free from long lasting schisms. Lazarus Only two separations are worthy of Tambovnote from the main body, himself well-known in Russia, rejoined and while they had the potential to destroy the ROCOR after unity that exists within the Free Russian Matthewite True Orthodox Church broke communion with ROCOR then later left again after of Greece, they did not. The first Primate of Athens selected by the formation Matthewites was Agathangelos of Metropolitan Vitaly's [[Russian Orthodox Church Athens, who reposed in Exile]] (ROCOR-V)1967. He and Bishop Benjamin Andreas of Kuban consecrated a new set Athens, one of the original three bishops made, was elected to the primacy in 1972; unitl his death in 2005 he was one of the oldest and currently have a couple dozen parishes longest-reigning of Orthodox bishops in Russiathe world.

====Russian True Orthodoxy today====Today ''Divisions within the situation is considerably clearer than it was 20 years ago; many of the groups that exist today have either been merged into other jurisdictions or have formed small, independent groups, administratively separate from the rest of the church. Much of their current history is tied together with ROCOR, as most of the original Catacomb bishops had been killed during state persecutions or died in hiding.Matthewites''

====Outside Russia====The History of the Russian church outside Russia is best summarized by St. '''[[John Maximovitch|John True Orthodox Church of Greece (MaximovitchMatthewite)|The Synod of Archbishop Nicholas]]''': In February, 2003, Archbishop Andreas of Shanghai Athens retired, and San FransiscoArchbishop Nicholas of Athens, considered by many to have a progressive vision for the Matthewite church, was elected. Extremely popular with younger Matthewites, Archbishop Nicholas seems generally poised to keep the Matthewite synod united. However, who reposed it has been advanced that Archbishop Andreas retired in 1966:violation of the canons.

'''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Matthewite)|The Gregorian Synod]]''':In November Under the primacy of 1921 in Sremsky-Karlovtsy Andreas of Athens, there were virtually no divisions in Yugoslavia the first Sobor abroad was heldMatthewites until 1995, in which in addition to 24 bishops, representatives when Metropolitan Gregory of Messinia separated with a small majority of the clergy and laity took part. Being thus synod (five versus four), ostensibly over the voice issue of all Russians who had succeeded in leaving the Soviet authority, "God the Sobor considered itself obligated to express its opinion regarding Father" [[icon]] and the situation related issues of Western-style icons in Russiageneral. However, where all with the rest deaths of the population three of Russia was languishing under their bishops, the oppression of that authority. The Sobor appealed to remaining two split, one remaining completely alone from the Genoa Conference with the request not to support the Bolshevik regime eldest hierarch, and to help the Russian people to become free with Gregorios of itMessinia naming three more bishops (Abramios, Pavlos, and Nectarios).

Thus was formed the '''[[Russian Genuine Orthodox Church Outside Russia(Matthewite)|The Synod of Metropolitan Kirykos]] (ROCOR)''': Originally not a schism proper, Metropolitan Kirykos and two other bishops of the synod refused to recognize the retirement of Archbishop Andreas or the enthronement of the new Archbishop, but continued to remain a member of the Synod of Archbishop Nicholas. Finally, which heldin 2005, until recentlyafter several attempts, the banner Synod of Russian True Orthodoxy outside Abp Nicholas endeavored to depose Metropolitan Kirykos, who has since added five Bishops to his Synod in a number of countries.<ref>[http://genuineorthodoxchurch.com/ The Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece under the Russian territoryOmophorion of Metropolitan Kirykos of Mesogaias and Lavreotikis].</ref>

==Romania==Divisions within Russia abroad====[[Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Romania|The True Orthodox Church of Romania]]====The Russian In 1924, Metropolitan Miron of the Church of Romania introduced the New Calendar for use in the Church Abroad (ROCOR) enjoyed relative stability until after . Although most Romanians accepted the change, the skete of the Protection of the death Theotokos in northern Moldavia rejected it. In 1925, led by Hieromonk Glicherie, some of the brethren left the skete to start an Old Calendarist group. When, in 1926 and 1929, Metropolitan Philaret Miron ordered Pascha to be celebrated according to the Gregorian Paschalion, a large number of New York (+1985) faithful, including Russian émigrés, left the Church of Romania and is currently joined the Old Calendarists. By 1936, the Old Calendarists numbered about 40 parishes. Beginning in 1935, at the order of Metropolitan Miron, the Old Calendarists were under persecution. By 1940, ten Old Calendarist priests had died in prison, and all of the Old Calendar churches had been shut down. Hieromonk Glicherie was imprisoned, but, at the process beginning of uniting World War II, released. By 1950, with Moscowthe release of Hmk Glicherie and other priests from prison, many of the churches were rebuilt. Since In 1955, Metropolitan Galaktion left the death Church of Metropolitan Philaret (regarded as a [[saint]] by many Romania to serve the Old Calendarists), and immediately ordained new priests and deacons. However, he was soon arrested, and placed under house arrest in Bucharest. While under house arrest, Metropolitan Galaktion consecrated three major groupings other bishops, including Hmk Glicherie, who, in 1957, became the Metropolitan of the True Orthodox Churches can be categorizedChurch of Romania. Since 1980, the Synod has been in full communion with the Synod of the True Orthodox Church of Greece presided by Metropolitan Kallistos of Corinth, then with the Holy Synod in Resistance presided by Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili. The Synod also maintains communion with the Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Bulgaria, headed by Bishop Photii. From 1994 to 2007 there was full communion with the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia (ROCOR), but with the rapprochement between the ROCOR and the Moscow Patriarchate, communion with the ROCOR was severed.

'''[[Holy Orthodox Church in North America|The Holy Orthodox Church in North America]]''': In 1986, after the monks of Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Brookline, MA were accused of moral crimes and called to spiritual court. ==Bulgaria== The entire New England Deanery majority of ROCOR, with the exception of one priest, had repeatedly asked for a canonical investigation of the trustworthiness of the persons making the moral accusations for a period of 11 months.[[http://www.homb.org/archives/Clergy%20Letter,%20Sept.%2016-29,%201986.pdf]] These same clergy had also expressed concerns over violations of the Anathema Against Ecumenism which all the bishops of ROCOR had signed faithful are in 1983.[[http://www.homb.org/archives/November%208.pdf]] Several days before the monks were called to spiritual court [[http://www.homb.org/archives/Dec.%209,%201986.pdf]] they left the ROCOR [[http://www.homb.org/archives/Departure%20from%20ROCOR%20Letter.pdf]] and were received by Metopolitan Akakios and Metropolitan Gabriel, two bishops who had not attended communion with the Synod meetings of Archbishop Auxentios because of various administrative problems. The monks had lost confidence that the bishops would be unbiased since they were receiving testimony from witnesses that cannot make accusations against a clergyman according to the Sacred Canons in Resistance (see "Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili" above). Several weeks later approximately oneand the Romanian Old Calendar Orthodox Church, but are an autonomous Church -thirteenth The Old Calendar Orthodox Church of the North American Bulgaria - and comprise a few dozen parishes under Bishop Photii of the ROCOR and one-sixth of the clergy, following Holy Transfiguration Monastery's example, also went under Metropolitans Akakios and GabrielTriaditsa.

Later, when cooperation ceased between Metropolitans Akakios =Ecclesiastical status=The ecclesiastical and Gabriel in 1997, the clergy canonical status of HOCNA asked to be received directly under the then allegedly deposed Archbishop Auxentiosvarious Old Calendarist jurisdictions is complex. Although Some regard themselves as being the Synod of Archbishop Chrysosostom II only true Orthodox Christians and thus view the mainstream Orthodox Church as being in 1986 considered Archbishop Auxentios deposed, in 1998 they rehabilitated him [[http://www.homb.org/archives/Archbishop%20Auxentios~Deposition~.pdfapostasy]]. Another group of bishops formerly under Archbishop Chrysostom IIAs such, they do not share either communion or concelebration with the mainstream churches. Other Old Calendarists (typically those "in resistance") have suspended concelebrations with mainstream clergy, but now known will still commune the faithful of mainstream jurisdictions. They thus see themselves as a reform movement within the Lamian Synod presently under Archbishop Makarius also declared Orthodox Church. The question of canonicity follows much the deposition same sort of Archbishop Auxentios uncanonical and void on April 1/14, 1997.[[http://wwwpatterns.homb.org/archives/Lamia%20on%20Auxentios.pdf]]

After obtaining 2 bishops and two suffragan bishops, Views from the group left mainstream Orthodox on the successor of Archbishop Auxentios, Archbishop Maximos, after they had deposed him for uncanonically consecrating two individuals Old Calendarists range from trying to heal the episcopate without the permission of the rest of the synod.[[http://www.homb.org/archives/Maximus%20defrockment.pdf]] They incorporporated various breaks in communion or concelebration to outright declarations that such groups are themselves as Holy Orthodox Church in North America (HOCNA) in 1987. Currently the HOCNA synodapostates, which in 2001 declared itself administratively independent of its extant mother Church in Greecethat is, has five bishopsno longer Orthodox.

From 1999 to 2001 the Lamian Synod approached HOCNA to establish full administrative unity, but this attempt failed for various reasons. ===Alternative Hierarchies===These churches refrain from both [[http://www.homb.org/Archived_Docs_HTM/LamiansToHOCNA.pdfconcelebration]]and [[User:Fr. Sergiusfull communion|Fr. Sergiuscommunion]] 15with the mainstream Orthodox churches, regarding the hierarchies of the official churches to have apostasized and placed themselves outside Orthodoxy. In response, they have fully developed Synods in contrast to the official Church:27for example, January 10as there is an Archbishop of Athens, 2007 (PST)a rival Archbishop of Athens is elected to the see. With few exceptions, the Russian groups have not done the same due to the political climate, although the Rus-OC under Metropolitan Damascene of Moscow claims jurisdiction over the territory of the Patriarch of Moscow.

'''The True ("Free") Russian Orthodox Church''': In 1994, the majority of the parishes of the Free Russian Orthodox Church (see above) broke communion with the ROCOR over their sudden inclination towards union with the Moscow Patriarchate, made manifest Such a claim is usually accompanied by their desire to "break apart" the Russian parishes. In time, a number of American parishes have joines the FROC, now known as position that the ROACcorresponding official body is completely [[schism]]atic.

In 2001===Churches "in resistance" or "walled off"===These churches refrain from [[concelebration]] with the mainstream Orthodox churches, but do not consider themselves schismatic, after nor have they formally declared the ROCOR made a clear commitment to union with the Moscow Patriarchatemainstream churches without grace. In general, they set up alternative hierarchies that use the head names of sees that are not used by the ROCOR synod, Metropolitan Vitaly, retired from the proceedingsstate Church in question<ref>[http://www.synodinresistance.org/Theology_en/Resistance.html]</ref>.

Almost immediately afterwards, Metropolitan Vitaly, Archbishop Varnava of Cannes, and two of It is said that they would also communicate the Russian bishops faithful of ROCOR, separated with the rest of the ROCOR synod and made new bishopsthose churches after confession. The proceedings that led up to these events are well documented on the Internet and the treatment of the retired head of the ROCOR has been regarded as shameful by many in the majority group, including allegations that Vitaly is unfit for service and A notable exception is being used as a figurehead. Since then, Metropolitan Vitaly has headed the reorganized ROCOR from his home in Mansonville. Until recently, they were known as the [[Russian Old Calendar Orthodox Church in Exile]]of Romania, having since returned to who receive members of the original name of ROCOR in many documentsNew Calendar Churches by Chrismation.

'''[[Russian Orthodox Church in Exile|The Russian Church in Exile]]''': The Russian Church in Exile has since primarily split into three parts&mdash;the Russian Orthodox Church in Exile (North America), an independent European branch that the other branches to not accept, and the [[Russian True-Orthodox Church (Lazarus)|True Russian Orthodox Church in Russia]]. Both claim to be under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Vitaly. However, the Russian Church in Exile immediately made new bishops for Russia; most of the Russian parishes of the ROCOR are still under the RTOC. Most recently, in 2004, the community of [[Esphigmenou Monastery (Athos)|Esphigmenou]] (the sole monastery of the [[Mount Athos|Holy Mountain]] that still refuses to commemorate the Ecumenical Patriarch since the calendar change) has declared its recognition of Metropolitan Vitaly as the only possible legitimate First-Hierarch of ROCOR. ====Other groupings====The amount of confusion among the remaining Russian True Orthodox parishes is not really worthy of note, as most have almost no visible membership, though two groups of historical value are the church under Ambrose (Von Sievers) and the [[Seraphimo-Gennadite Orthodox Church]]. Questions about their legitimacy and ecclesiology abound, however, and due to their small membership, there is a serious question as to how much discussion such groups actually merit, since they are usually reabsorbed into larger churches. Another new group that is worthy of note is the [[Russian True-Orthodox Church (Vyacheslav)|Russian True-Orthodox Church (Metropolitan Vyacheslav)]] which actually derives its episcopate from the [[Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church|Ukrainian Autocephalous Church]]. ===Other national churches===Other countries have been given True Orthodox hierarchies by the above groups. ====Romania====The history of True Orthodoxy in Romania has a rich history and goes back to 1924. Most of the faithful are currently under the omophor of Metropolitan Vlasie of Romania and his subordinate bishops. Romania was given Bishops by the synod under Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili (see above). One parish is under the Lamian Synod (see above). ====Bulgaria==== The majority of the faithful are under the Cyprianites (see "Cyprian of Fili" above) and comprise a few dozen parishes, their bishop being Photios of Triaditsa. Two churches are under Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal, and two left with Bishop Gregory of Colorado during his departure. ====Georgia====In Georgia, dozens of [[monastics]] fled the official Patriarchate of Georgia in protest over [[ecumenism]] in 1998. HOCNA (see above) absorbed many of them, and they style themselves the [[True Orthodox Church of Georgia]]. They currently have no bishop and are administratively under North America. ====Ukraine====The situation in Ukraine deserves its own paper and is beyond the scope of this article. The churches there deserve mention, however, since most of the Russian groups have parishes in Ukraine (ROAC has two Bishops in Ukraine.) Worthy of note is the [[Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church]] (UAOC) under Metropolitan Methody Kuriakov; while the ecclesiology of the UAOC is not particularly firm, they consecrated bishops for at least one True Orthodox group in Russia. ===Italy=== In Italy there are four Jurisdictions dependes from the Florinates Tradition: - [[Holy Synod of Milan]] having a Tomos direcly from His Beatitude Avxentios I. His Head is His Divine Beatitude Evloghios I, Archbishop of Milan and Metropolitan of the Old Calendarist Church of Western Europe and America - there is a little Orthodox Church, havin the same apostolic succession of the Synod of Milan and called Autonomous Orthodox Church of Gaul Cisalpine headed by His Eminence Metropolita Volodymir. The others groups are the Synod of resistence an the Synod of Metropolotan Antonio De Rosso an by His Eminence Exarc Silvano (Synod of Resistence). ==Churches "in resistance"==These churches refrain from [[concelebration]] with the mainstream Orthodox churches, but do not consider themselves [[schism]]atic, nor have they declared a break in [[full communion|communion]] with the mainstream churches. They will also commune the faithful of those churches. * [[Holy Synod in Resistance]] ("Cyprianites"), a [[Florinites|Florinite]] church* [[Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Romania]]* [[Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Bulgaria]] ==True Orthodox Churches - directly founded listed by T.O.C. of Greece (H.B.Avxentios)== * [[Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Western Europe - Synod of Milan]]  ==Churches which are "walled off"=Country or Jurisdiction=These churches refrain from both [[concelebration]] and [[full communion|communion]] with the mainstream Orthodox churches, regarding the hierarchies of the official churches to have apostasized and placed themselves outside Orthodoxy. The view of these Old Calendarists, commonly self-designated as "True Orthodox" towards official Orthodox priests and laity varies.

**[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Florinite)]] ("Chrysostomite | Synod"), under of Archbishop Chrysostom Kallinikos of Athens]]**[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (| Makarian/Lamian Synod]] ** [[Holy Synod in Resistance| Cyprianite Synod)]], under Archbishop Makarios of Athens''

**[[True Orthodox Church of Greece (Matthewite)| Synod of Archbishop Nicholas]], under Archbishop Nicholas of Athens**[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Matthewite)]], under | Synod of Metropolitan Gregory of Messinia]]

===RussiaRomania===*[[Russian Old Calendar Orthodox Autonomous Church]], FROC/ROAC ("Suzdalites"), under Metropolitan Valentin of Suzdal*[[Seraphimo-Gennadite Orthodox Church]], under Metropolitan Theodosie*[[Russian True-Orthodox Church (Lazarus)]], under Archbishop Lazarus of Tambov*[[Russian True-Orthodox Church (Vyatcheslav)Romania]], under Metropolitan Vyatcheslav''

===AmericaBulgaria===*[[Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church in America]], the FROC/ROAC in the United States of America*[[Russian Orthodox Church in Exile]] (ROCE), also known as ROCOR (V), under Metropolitan Vitaly of Montreal*[[Genuine Orthodox Church of America]], under Archbishop Gregory of Denver*[[Genuine Greek Old Calendar Orthodox Church of AmericaBulgaria]], under Metropolitan Pavlos of Astoria, the "Chrysostomite" Metropolitan Diocese for America*[[Holy Orthodox Church in North America]] (HOCNA), under Metropolitan Makarios of Toronto''

===ElsewhereNorth America===These are the dioceses of larger Synods in North America:*[[True Genuine Greek Orthodox Church of GeorgiaAmerica]], Metropolitan Diocese of America (Synod of Archbishop Chrysostom)*[http://ctosonline.org The Center For Traditionalist Orthodox Studies:]Spiritual and monastic center for the Synod in Resistance in the U.S.*[http://www.orthodox-christianity.net/ Matthewite Parishes in America under Abp Nicholas of Athens]*[http://www.genuineorthodoxchurch.net/america.html Matthewite Parishes in America under Metr Kirykos of Mesogaia]

==Ecclesiastical =Groups claiming "Autonomous" statuswithin America===The ecclesiastical and canonical status of the various Old Calendarist jurisdictions is complex. Some regard themselves as being the only true Orthodox Christians and thus view the mainstream Orthodox Church as being in apostasy. As such, they do not share either communion or concelebration with the mainstream These are bodies which claimed independence from their parent churches. Other Old Calendarists (typically those "in resistance") have suspended concelebrations with mainstream clergy, but will still commune the faithful of mainstream jurisdictions. They thus see themselves as a reform movement within the *[[Genuine Orthodox Church. The question of canonicity follows much the same sort America]], under Archbishop Gregory of patterns.Denver

*[http://www.geocitiesorthodoxchristianbooks.com/joesuaidendownloads/trueorthodox/trueorthodoxchurch234_NEW_ZION_IN_BABYLON_PART_2.html The True pdf| Vladimir Moss, ''New Zion in Babylon: A History of the Orthodox Churchthroughout the World in the Twentieth Century'' (2010), Part II]*[http://www.orthodoxchristianbooks.com/downloads/217_NEW_ZION_IN_BABYLON_PART_3.pdf| Vladimir Moss, ''New Zion in Babylon: A Brief Overview] History of the Orthodox Church throughout the World in the Twentieth Century'' (major portions of text used by permission2010), Part III]

*[http://orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/anti-patristic-stance-old-calendarist-zealots.aspx Anti-Patristic: The Stance of the Zealot Old Calendarists] by Monk Basil of the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory (Grigoriou), Mount Athos* [http://www.cnewa.org/ecc-bodypg.aspx?eccpageID=53&IndexView=toc Eastern Christian Churches: The Old Calendar Orthodox Churches] by Ronald Roberson, a Roman Catholic priest and scholar=General Information===

* [http://www.euphrosynoscafe.com/ The Euphrosynos Café: A Portal and Forum for all Old Calendar Orthodox Churches] by Father Nikolai Stanosheck, a [[Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church|ROAC]] deacon

===JurisdictionsOfficial Websites===* [http://www.roac.ru/ Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church]* [http://www.roacusa.org/ Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church in America]* [http://www.ecclesiagoc.gr/ Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece], official | Official website of Chrysostomite the Synod** [http://www.thegreekorthodoxchurch.com/ Genuine Greek Orthodox Church of AmericaArchbishop Chrysostom of Athens], diocesan website of the Metropolis of America (Chrysostomite) * [http://www.ortodoxakyrkansynodinresistance.seorg/ Swedish Exarchate Official website of the Holy Synod in Resistance]* [http://digilander.libero.it/jaroslavl/ T.O.C.]