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{{expertTOCright}} '''Old Calendarists''' are groups of Orthodox Christians who are in various levels of "resistance" against the mainstream Orthodox churches, identified mainly by their insistence on the use of the Julian Calendar. They are to be distinguished from the mainstream churches which simply follow the [[Julian Calendar]] yet remain in [[full communion]] with most or all 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 churches, ranging from an active desire to restore unity to a denial of the Old Calendarists' Orthodoxy.

Some Old Calendarist groups are styled as '''True OrthodoxOld Calendarists''' or '''Genuine are Orthodox'''Christians who oppose the use of the Revised Julian liturgical calendar (a calendar with similarities to the Gregorian, and both terms are used combined with the Orthodox Paschalion) in this articlethe early 20th century to the extent of breaking or limiting Communion with those Orthodox who use the Revised Julian calendar. Some may also style themselves '''Traditionalist Citing the 16th-century anathemas against the Gregorian calendar issued by three Patriarchal and Pan-Orthodox'''Synods in Constantinople, as well as various condemnations by multiple local synods, they have become some of the most vocal critics not only of the new liturgical calendar, but of [[ecumenism]] in general, which is seen as the ultimate cause of the calendar revision.{{TOCright}}

In 1920, the endPatriarchal Locum Tenens, a real physical division was formedDorotheus of Prusa, whereas a real doctrinal division endedissued the Encyclical "Unto the Churches of Christ Everywhere"<ref>[http: Bishop Matthew singlehandedly consecrated another bishop//incommunion.org/?p=142]</ref>, which officially marked the entrance of Orthodox participation in the Ecumenical Movement. (See [[Ecumenism]].) The Encyclical, tied to the formation of the League of Nations and with that end in mind, gave eleven suggestions so "''that above all, love should be rekindled and together strengthened among the churches, so that they made should no more new bishops. After consider one another as strangers and foreigners, but as relatives, and as being a part of the death household of Bishop MatthewChrist and “fellow heirs, however, Chrysostom members of Florina reaffirmed the decision same body and partakers of 1935 declaring the New Calendar State Church as [[schism]]aticpromise of God in Christ” (Eph. 3:6). ''" (The reasons for this are unclear, and speculations give various answerspar. 6.) In any case, The first of the Matthewites proceeded to elect Archbishop Agathagelos to suggestions was "''By the rank acceptance of Primate a uniform calendar for the celebration of Athens in 1958the great Christian feasts at the same time by all the churches.''"

We will deal first with In 1921, a council was called in Athens, led by Metropolitan [[Germanos of Demetrias]], the major divisions Vice-President of the FlorinitesHoly Synod, deposing Archbishop [[Meletios_IV_(Metaxakis)_of_Constantinople|Meletios (Metaxakis)]] of Athens, who had previously known for ecumenical activity, since their divisions have generally been larger and more permanent for recognizing the revolutionary Venizelos government in natureGreece. Meletios was recognized as Patriarch of Constantinople on November 21, and then 1921, where he began his programs anew, though previously his candidacy was declined by the MatthewitesHoly Synod of Constantinople in 1912.

====Divisions within In 1923, a "Pan-Orthodox Congress" (not a normal term for any Orthodox meeting of hierarchs) was held under the Florinites====After the death presidency of Meletios composed of Metropolitan Chrysostommembers, specifically six Bishops, the Florinites had no bishopstwo laymen, and Metropolitan Chrysostom advised his flock to go under an archimandrite, of a few of the protection local Churches (none of the Matthewite bishops. Fearing the repercussions, however, the Florinites opted to seek a new hierarchy and appealed to Bishops members of the Pentarchy save Constantinople sent representatives). [[Anastasy (Gribanovsky) of Kishinev|Metropolitan Anastassy]] of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]] to help themAbroad attended its initial meeting, having been in the area. He declared that the Synod had given him no instructions on the matter and soon departed. In 1960total, Archimandrite Akakios Pappas was made a bishop with the title of Bishop of Talantion for these communities without the official blessing less than half of the ROCOR Synod local Churches were represented by [anyone.<ref>http://www.rocaorthodoxinfo.orgcom/life_of_archbishop_seraphimecumenism/photii_2.htm Archbishop Seraphim aspx Bishop Photii of Chicago] and Bp. Theophilos IonescuTriaditsa, a Romanian New Calendar Bishop under "The 70th Anniversary of the ROCOR. Pan-Orthodox Congress", Orthodox Life, 1&2, 1994</ref> The following year, purpose of the ROCOR elected and ordained Archimandrite Petros Astyfides as Bishop of Astoria in order meeting was to serve as archpastor implement the suggestions of the Greek Old Calendarist immigrant communities in 1920 document, along with other proposals that were largely rejected, such as the United States and Canada. Later Bp. Akakios elevation of Talantion married men to the Episcopate and Archbishop Leonty the remarriage of Chile widowed priests (ROCORsessions three and four) ordained five more bishops in Greece. Thus in 1961, Akakios Representatives of Talantion became the new First-Hierarch Anglican Church were present at the final meetings, specifically former Bishop Gore of the restored Florinite SynodOxford. He died, howeverAt these meetings, it was decided that nothing stood in 1963the way of Orthodox-Anglican ecclesiastical union. The Synod thus proceeded to elect Auxentios PastrasIn response, Bishop a five-member commission in Greece (of Gardikionwhom then Archimandrite, to be their new leader as later Archbishop , Chrysostom Papadopolous of Athens) determined to study the question of the use of the New Calendar and 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. The ROCOR under Metropolitan Philaret eventually recognized ''"<ref>''Journal of the validity Government of the secret consecrations Greek Kingdom'', chapter 1, 24/25. 1. 1923, No. 8, see also ''OEM'', 1989, Chapter 17, p. 73, as noted in 1969[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/photii_2.aspx]</ref>

'''The Auxentios Synod''': ====The First Florinite Synod of the True Orthodox Church of Greece was fraught with problems by the 1970s, and two major separations occurred during the lifetime of 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 (Archbishop Auxentios died in 1994); most of his synod, barely held together by the 1980s, dissolved after his death into the three jurisdictions listed below. In 1986, Auxentios was removed from the Archdiocese 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 in the early 1980s with his apparent consent. Having the support of the dissenting minority of bishops, Auxentios proceeded to re-form his Synod, appealing for help to the ====[[Holy Synod of MilanImage:1925cr1.jpg|thumb|110px|Bishops An artist's rendering of the West]], then independent, but under his omophor, for assistance. He died in 1994, having failed to reconcile with the parishes appearance of the Florinite Synod under Chrysostom Kiousis. The remaining parishes Sign of the Auxentios SynodCross near Athens, however, elected Archbishop Maximos of Kephalonia to the throne of Athens on [[January 71925]], 1995. In response to Maximos' request to revisit the ROCOR investigation of Fr Panteleimon (Metropoulos) of Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston, the parishes loyal to Auxentios under the American Bishops organized around Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston (see HOCNA), left the Synod, and elected Makarios of Toronto as locum tenens of the see of Athens.

'''In 1924, the [[bishop]]s of the [[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Florinite)|The Chrysostomite Synod]]''': Amidst charges of maladministration, the majority of the Florinite synod chose in 1986 a new leader in under Archbishop Chrysostom (KiousisPapadopoulos), who demonstrated rather effectively that implemented the calendar change discussed at the True "Pan-Orthodox Congress" of 1923. In response, Metropolitan [[Germanos of Demetrias]], retired in Greece were a force protest. The "Old Calendarist" movement arose to be reckoned withoppose the adoption of the Revised Julian calendar. Choosing to take on The movement was sustained by Athonite monks that encouraged the rejection of the Greek legal systemcalendar change, court cases were held where it was demonstrated hundreds of parish clergy that refused to recognize the Old Calendarists calendar change, as well as dozens of monasteries throughout Greece were not schismatics. Though their public reputation had been tarnished over nearly two decades of divisions, their legal existence was, Lay groups and is presently, safe. The synod of Chrysostom of Athens is today [[brotherhoods]] formed to keep the largest synod use of the True Orthodox Church of Greece[[Julian calendar]] alive, despite state persecution.

'''The [[Holy Synod in Resistance|SynodIn 1925, perhaps the most well-known phenomenon in-Resistance]] of Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili'''the Old Calendar movement occurred: While this church's official [[ecclesiology]] is peculiar, a large cross over an secret Old Calendar Church in 1925 during the amount feast of work that Metropolitan Cyprian the exaltation of Fili and his synod have done to assist True Orthodox throughout the world is impressiveHoly Cross, and must be noted. The church itself is rather smallwitnessed by approximately two thousand people, but has been very effective in presenting intellectual arguments against including police intent on arresting the New Calendar State Church. It is headed by another defector from clergy of the Auxentios Synod, Cyprian (Koutsoumbas) of Filigroup, and holds an ecclesiology many of “sick" and “healthy" churches, thus avoiding the repercussions whom converted that inevitably follow referring to the majority as subject to a schismatic bodynight.<ref>[http://www.orthodox. Their ecclesiology is considered heretical by the more rigorist elements of the True Orthodox who have been influenced by Matthewite positionsnet/articles/cross-in-athens.html]</ref>

'''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Lamian Synod)|The Synod of Archbishop Makarios of Athens (Lamian Synod)]]''': In 19951935, after more than 10 years, a 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 infractionsthree Metropolitans, headed by Metropolitan Kallinikos of Lamia. The charges related to the trial of Metropolitan Germanos of Thessaloniki Euthymios (Orphanos), who had been charged with moral infractionsDemetrias, and the election of Bishop Vikentios (Malamatenios) of Avlona as former Metropolitan of Peiraeus. By early 1997, the bishops headed by Kallinikos of Lamia had fragmented into three groupsFlorina, one of which reconciled with Archbishop Chrysostom (KiousisKavouridis). A second group, Paisios Loulourgas and Chrysostomos (Met. of AmericaDemetriou) and Vikentios Malamatenios (titular Bp. of Avlona), submitted to Zakynthos declared the Ecumenical Patiarchate. Later that same year, Kallinikos of Lamia and Euthymios of 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 elected Makarios (Kavakides) Archbishop of Athens. 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.schismatic and declared:

====Divisions within ''"Those who now administer the Matthewites====For all Church of Greece have divided the negative press unity of Orthodoxy through the Matthewites calendar innovation, and have received over 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 the years due to Eastern Orthodox Church, but have also touched the strictness Dogma of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Therefore those who now administer the Greek Church have, by their positionunilateral, anticanonical and unthinking introduction of the Gregorian calendar, their church has been strangely free cut themselves off completely from long lasting schismsthe trunk of Orthodoxy, and have declared themselves to be in essence schismatics in relation to the Orthodox Churches which stand on the foundation of the Seven Ecumenical Councils and the Orthodox laws and Traditions, the Churches of Jerusalem, Antioch, Serbia, Poland, the Holy Mountain and the God-trodden Mountain of Sinai, etc. Only two separations are worthy ...That this is so was confirmed by the Commission made up of the best jurists and theologian-professors of note from the main bodyNational University which was appointed to study the calendar question, and while they had one of whose members happened to be his Blessedness the Archbishop of Athens in his then capacity as professor of Church History in the National University...Since his Beatitude the potential Archbishop of Athens has by his own signature declared himself to be a Schismatic, what need do we have of witnesses to destroy demonstrate that he and the hierarchs who think like him have become Schismatics, in that they have split the unity that exists within of Orthodoxy through the calendar innovation and divided the Ecclesiastical and ethnic soul of the Matthewite True Greek Orthodox Church of GreecePeople?"''<ref>[http://www.orthodoxchristianbooks.com/downloads/92_NEW_ZION_IN_BABYLON_PART_3.pdf] Cited in Moss, ''New Zion in Babylon'', Part 3, they did notp.92</ref>

The first Primate From April 23rd to April 26th 1935 the ordination of Athens selected by four new bishops took place. Ordained were the Matthewites was Agathangelos Archmandrites: Germanos (Barikopoulos) as Bishop of AthensKyklades, who reposed in 1967. Andreas Christoforos (Hatzis) as Bishop of AthensMegaris, one Polycarp (Liosis) as Bishop of the original three bishops madeDiavleia, was elected to and Bishop Matthew (Karpathakes) of Bresthena).<ref>[http://www.hotca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71:the primacy -change-in 1972; unitl his death in 2005 he was one -the-calendar-of -the oldest and longest-reigning church-of Orthodox bishops in the world.-greece&catid=23:goc-history&Itemid=71]</ref>

'''====The Florinite/Matthewite schism====By the 1940s, two parties had formed within the Church of Greece: the [[Florinites]] (under Metropolitan [[True Orthodox Church Chrysostom (Kavourides) of Greece Florina]]) and the [[Matthewites]] (under Bp. [[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), which, until recently''': Originally not a schism proper, Metropolitan Kirykos and two other bishops of the synod refused to recognize the elections retirement of Archbishop Andreas or the Patriarchs enthronement of Moscow as coerced by the Soviet regimenew Archbishop, but continued to remain a member of the Synod of Archbishop Nicholas. Finally, in 2005, after several attempts, the Synod of 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 Omophorion 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 only true Orthodox Christians and thus view the Synod of Archbishop Chrysosostom II in 1986 considered Archbishop Auxentios deposed, mainstream Orthodox Church as being 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 the deposition of Archbishop Auxentios uncanonical and void on April 1/14, 1997Orthodox Church.[[http://www.homb.org/archives/Lamia%20on%20Auxentios.pdf]] It is worthy The question of note that HTM changed its opinion on Archbishop Auxentios after Akakios and Gabriel broke communion with each other-- raising canonicity follows much the obvious question same sort of whether they were intent on creating their own Synodpatterns.

After obtaining 2 bishops and two suffragan bishops, Views from the group left the successor of Archbishop Auxentios, Archbishop Maximos, after claiming they had deposed him for uncanonically consecrating two individuals to the episcopate without the permission of the rest of mainstream Orthodox on the synod.[[http://www.homb.org/archives/Maximus%20defrockment.pdf]] It is worth noting that Maximos claimed the "Americans were Old Calendarists range from trying to take control" by not assisting in heal the consecrations of Bishops for Greece, which at this point were becoming sorely needed. After the "defrockment" (it is virtually impossible to defrock the first-hierarch without a majority of the votes, which various breaks in this case would have been required, as well as a canonical trial, which was also not done) they elected Athanasios of Larisa communion or concelebration to be their Bishop, until Athanasios learned outright declarations that members of the "American Church" had questioned his qualifications as a Bishop. Alone at last, the American parishes incorporporated 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 Greece, has five bishops.  From 1999 to 2001 the Lamian Synod approached HOCNA to establish full administrative unity, but this attempt failed for various reasons. [[http://www.homb.org/Archived_Docs_HTM/LamiansToHOCNA.pdf]]'''The True ("Free") Russian Orthodox Church''': In 1994that is, the majority of the parishes of the Free Russian no longer Orthodox Church (see above) broke communion with the ROCOR over their sudden inclination towards union with the Moscow Patriarchate, made manifest by their desire to "break apart" the Russian parishes. In time, a number of American parishes have joines the FROC, now known as the ROAC.

===Alternative Hierarchies===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. In 2001response, after they have fully developed Synods in contrast to the ROCOR made official Church: for example, as there is an Archbishop of Athens, a clear commitment rival Archbishop of Athens is elected to union with the Moscow Patriarchatesee. With few exceptions, the head of Russian groups have not done the same due to the ROCOR synodpolitical climate, although the Rus-OC under Metropolitan Vitaly, retired from Damascene of Moscow claims jurisdiction over the territory of the proceedingsPatriarch of Moscow.

Almost immediately afterwards, Metropolitan Vitaly, Archbishop Varnava of Cannes, and two of the Russian bishops of ROCOR, separated with the rest of Such a claim is usually accompanied by the ROCOR synod and made new bishops. The proceedings position 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 corresponding official body 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 completely [[Russian Orthodox Church in Exileschism]], having since returned to the original name of ROCOR in many documentsatic.

'''===Churches "in resistance" or "walled off"===These churches refrain from [[Russian Orthodox Church in Exile|The Russian Church in Exileconcelebration]]''': The Russian Church in Exile has since primarily split into three parts&mdash;with the Russian mainstream Orthodox Church in Exile (North America)churches, an independent European branch that the other branches to but do not acceptconsider themselves schismatic, and the [[Russian True-Orthodox Church (Lazarus)|True Russian Orthodox Church in Russia]]. Both claim to be under nor have they formally declared the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Vitalymainstream churches without grace. HoweverIn general, they set up alternative hierarchies that use the Russian Church in Exile immediately made new bishops for Russia; most names of the Russian parishes of the ROCOR sees that are still under not used by the RTOC. Most recently, state Church in 2004, the community of question<ref>[[Esphigmenou Monastery (Athos)|Esphigmenou]] (the sole monastery of the [[Mount Athos|Holy Mountainhttp://www.synodinresistance.org/Theology_en/Resistance.html]] 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</ref>.

'''The "continuing Russian Orthodox Church Abroad" parishes under Bishop Agafangel of Odessa''': After It is said that they would also communicate the signing faithful of those churches after confession. A notable exception is the [[Act Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Canonical Communion with the Moscow Patriarchate|Act of Canonical Communion]] in 2007Romania, the majority who receive members of parishes within the Ukraine, and a minority of parishes elsewhere, went under Bishop Agafangel of Odessa and Ukraine, and are currently preparing to ordain new Bishops for their rival synodNew Calendar Churches by Chrismation.

====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 Churches listed 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. ==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 communicate 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]]* [[Holy Synod of Milan]], a [[Florinites|Florinite]] church ==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 Old Calendar 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 Orthodox Church of America]], under Metropolitan Pavlos of Astoria, the "Chrysostomite" Metropolitan Diocese for America*[[Holy Orthodox Church in North America]] (HOCNA), under Metropolitan Makarios of Toronto*[[Russian Orthodox Church in AmericaBulgaria]] (ROCIA), Synod of Metropolitan Symeon of Denver''

===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 complexThese are bodies which claimed independence from their parent churches. Some regard themselves as being the only true Orthodox Christians and thus view the mainstream *[[Genuine Orthodox Church as being in [[apostasyof America]]. As 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 will still commune the faithful of mainstream jurisdictions. They thus see themselves as a reform movement within the Orthodox Church. The question under Archbishop Gregory of canonicity follows much the same sort 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]