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Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church

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The '''Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church''' (or {{lang-ru|Российская православная автономная церковь}}, before 1998 - '''Free Russian Orthodox Church''', {{lang-ru|Российская православная свободная церковь}}, the Moscow Patriarchate also has the designation '''Suzdal schism''', {{lang-ru|Суздальский раскол}}) is one of several [[True Orthodox|"True" Orthodox]] Churches churches in Russia, which has roots in the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, ]] and claims to be a continuation of the [[Catacomb Church of Russia]]. Its current primate is Metropolitan Theodore (Gineyevsky) of Sudzal and Vladimir (since 2012). It is not in communion with any of the recognized Orthodox Churches.
==The Establishment of the "Free Russian Orthodox Church"==At the end of World War II, many parts of the catacomb church reconciled with the [[Moscow Patriarchate]], due to the election of a new patriarch ([[Alexei I (Simansky) of Moscow|Alexei I]]) and to a lessening of the level of persecution on the part of the Soviets. By the 1980s, what was left of the catacomb church no longer had any hierarchy of its own, and was very small and scattered. Due to a desire to support these people, the ROCOR decided to consecrate a secret bishop for the catacomb church in 1982—Bishop Lazar (Zhurbenko). This was the first step towards the establishment of ROCOR parishes inside Russia—a policy that was controversial even at the time, and which ROCOR later came to regret. These parishes came to be known as the ''Free Russian Orthodox Church'' (FROC).
At ==Fracturing of the FROC and establishment of ROAC==As the end number of World War II, many parts parishes and bishops of the catacomb Church reconciled with FROC increased in the Moscow Patriarchate, due to 1990s after the election collapse of a new Patriarch (Alexei I)the Soviet Union, conflicts among them likewise increased, and to a lessening of as well as conflicts between the level leaders of persecution on the part Synod of ROCOR and the Sovietsbishops in Russia. By Bishops of the 1980'sFree Russian Orthodox Church, what was left of who were under the catacomb Church no longer had any hierarchy jurisdiction of its ownROCOR, i.e., [[Archbishop]] Lazar and was very small and scatteredBishop Valentine, were ultimately removed from their [[see]]s. Due They chose to a desire to support these peopleseparate from ROCOR administratively and form an autonomous, ROCOR decided to consecrate a secret bishop for the catacomb self-governing Church in 1982 -- Bishop Lazar (Zhurbenko), citing as their canonical basis [[Ukaz No. 362]] of St. This was the first step towards the establishment [[Patriarch]] [[Tikhon of Moscow|Tikhon]] of ROCOR parishes inside Russia -- a policy that was controversial even at the time[[November 20]], and which ROCOR later came to regret1920. These parishes came to be known as They also consecrated three bishops for the "Free Russian Orthodox Church"church, Theodore, Seraphim, or FROCand Agafangel.
==The Fracturing A year later, after unsuccessful attempts to find an acceptable means of self-government for the Russian parishes, on [[February 11]]/24, 1995, the Synod of ROCOR suspended five bishops of the FROC, at one time. The result was a [[schism]] between the Synod of ROCOR and a large portion of the Establishment of ROAC==FROC.
As the number of parishes In 1995, Abp. Lazarus, with Bishops Benjamin and Agafangel, came back to ROCOR, while three bishops of , with Abp. Valentine at the FROC increased head, remained in schism. In May 1995 the 90's after the collapse of the Soviet Union, conflicts among them likewise increased, as well as conflicts between the leaders long-term secretary of the Synod of ROCOR and the bishops in Russia. Bishops of the Free Russian Orthodox ChurchROCOR, who were under the jurisdiction of ROCOR, i.e. famous [[ArchbishopChurch History|church historian]] Lazar and Bishop Valentin, were ultimately removed from their Sees. They chose to separate from ROCOR administratively and form an autonomous, self-governing Church, citing as their canonical basis [[Ukaz No. 362Canon law|canonist]] of St. , Bishop [[Patriarch]] [[Tikhon Gregory (Grabbe) of MoscowWashington and Florida|Tikhon]] of [[November 20Gregory (Grabbe)]], 1920visited Suzdal. They also consecrated three He approved the decisions of the Russian bishops for to withdraw from administrative subordination to the Russian Church: TheodoreROCOR synod just before he passed away. Some attributed this to his age, Seraphim, and Agafangelwhile others claimed this was due to his belief that they were following the "true" historical course of ROCOR.
A year later, after unsuccessful attempts to find an acceptable means of self-government for the Russian parishes, on February 11/24, 1995, the Synod of ROCOR suspended five Bishops of the FROC at one time. The result was a schism between the Synod of ROCOR and a large portion of the FROC.  In 1995, Archbishop Lazarus, with Bishops Benjamin and Agafangel, came back to ROCOR, while three bishops, with Archbishop Valentin at the head, remained in schism. In May 1995 the long-term secretary of the Synod of Bishops of ROCOR, the famous Church historian and canonist, Right Reverend Bishop Gregory (Grabbe), visited Suzdal. He approved the decisions of the Russian bishops to withdraw from administrative subordination to the foreign Synod (ROCOR), just before he passed away. Some attributed this to his age, while others claimed this was due to his belief that they were following the "true" historical course of ROCOR.  In October 1998 the "Free Russian Orthodox Church" (FROC) headed by Valentine was re-registered under the name of the "''Russian Orthodox (Autonomous) Church" '' (ROAC). Presently the [[episcopate ]] of ROAC consists of twelve bishopswith over 300 parishes worldwide. The head of the Church church was elevated to the rank of [[Metropolitan]] in March 2001.  ==ROCOR Chief Hierarchs==*Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) (1920 – 1936) *Metropolitan Anastassy (Gribanovsky) ( 1936 – 1964) *Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky) ( 1964 – 1985) *Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov). (1986 – 2001) *Metropolitan Laurus (Skurla). (2001 - Present)    ==ROAC Chief Hierarch==* Metropolitan Valentine of Vladimir and Sudzal ( 1990 – present)
==American parish list==
*[http://www.roacusa.org/SaintNicholas Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Orthodox Parish], Elmwood Park, New Jersey - Bp. Andrei of Pavlovskoye, Protopresbyter Vladimir Shishkoff (retired)
*Christ the Savior Orthodox Parish , Fort Wayne, Indiana - Fr. Isaac Henke*St. Sophia Orthodox Parish, Hobart, Indiana - Dn. Michael McCombs*[http://www.stathanasiosroacusa.org/SaintPeter/htdocs St.net Saint Athanasios Peter the Great Aleut Orthodox Parish], San AngeloCovington, TX Louisiana - Fr. Elias Greer, Chancellor to Bishop AndreiMark Templet*Saint Andrew the First Called Orthodox Parish, Fredericksburg, VA Virginia - Archpriest Fotios Roseboro
==Pro-ROAC Sourcesand external links==
===External Links===
*[http://www.rpac.ru/ Official Russian website]
*[http://www.roacusa.org/ Official American Diocese website]
*[http://www.roacusa.org/ABTheoRespEng.html Archbishop Theodore of Borisovskoye and Otradna, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church (ROAC), Responds to Various Questions from the Faithful]
*[http://www.roacusa.org/25.html The History of the Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church]
*[http://roacusa.org/1.html The Free Russian Orthodox Church: A Short History], by Vladimir Moss
==Anti-ROAC Sources=Criticism===*[http://pageswww.prodigysaintjonah.netorg/frjohnwhiteford/RTOC.htm The "Russian True Orthodox Church", by Fr. Michael Protopopov]*[http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhitefordarticles/voicesofreason.htm Voices of Reason: Responses to schismatics who have left ROCOR, and to those attempting to cause a new schism] *[http://pageswww.prodigysaintjonah.netorg/frjohnwhitefordarticles/voicesofreason_old.htm Older Voices of Reason Articles, including responses to Vladimir Moss, and posts regarding "Metropolitan" Valentine of Suzdal] [[Category:Old Calendarist Jurisdictions]][[Category:Jurisdictions]] [[fr:Église orthodoxe russe autonome]]

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