Changes

Prior to the establishment of this diocese, there were still several independent Greek parishes in North America that had not been regularized by [[Athenagoras I (Spyrou) of Constantinople|Archbishop Athenagoras]], who had been going from parish to parish for several years, bringing independents into the fold of the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek Archdiocese]]. These independent parishes sometimes looked to Greece for [[priest]]s, and sometimes turned to [[episcopi vagantes|vagante bishops]] such as Christopher Contogeorge. The situation in general in the 1930's and 40's was one of ecclesiastical confusion, and [[Church Calendar|Old Calendarism]] ''per se'' could be seen in some cases as a side effect of the parish remaining independent rather than as a purely idealogical position.

In 1974, the Synod of the Greek Old Calendarist Church reiterated its belief that the [[Church Calendar|New Calendar Church]] was schismatic and devoid of grace. Metropolitan Petros was opposed to this decision and asked the ROCOR bishops what to do, since they had consecrated him, and his consecration certificate stated that he would defer to the Synod if any question arose. While this may seem a simplistic reasoning, the Metropolitan was concerned about keeping his pledge.