Chiesa Ortodossa in Italia
The Chiesa Ortodossa in Italia (Orthodox Church in Italy) an effort to establish a national Orthodox church in Italy. It was a part of the Old Calendarist movement, which then joined Patriarch Pimen's Alternative Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and adopted reformed Julian calendar (New Calendar).
History
The Orthodox Church in Italy was founded in 1991 by Antonio (de Rosso), bishop of Aprilia and Latium under the jurisdiction of Metr. Cyprian. Bp. Antonio is a former Roman Catholic priest.
In 1993, the church joined Patriarch Pimen's Alternative Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and in 1995 Bp. Antonio was enthroned as Bishop of Ravenna and Italy. After 1997, Bp. Antonio was elevated to Metropolitan of Ravenna and Italy. During that year, the Orthodox Church in Italy was recognized as an autonomous church, and Metr. Antonio became a full member of Pimen's Holy Synod. The Orthodox Church in Italy is in full communion with the Bulgarian Alternative Synod, the Church of Ukraine (Kiev Patriarchate), and some other small churches.
