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The '''Orthodox Church of the Gauls''' (''l'Eglise Orthodoxe des Gaules'') is a [[Western Rite]] [[Independent Orthodox churches|independent Orthodox church]] representing a [[schism]] from the [[Orthodox Church of France]] and not currently [[full communion|in communion]] with any of the [[List of autocephalous and autonomous churches|mainstream Orthodox churches]]. It was formed on [[December 17]], 2006, with the consecration of Father Michel Mendez, [[abbot ]] of St Michael's Monastery at Bois-Aubry, as Bishop Gregory (Grégoire).

The contemporary origins of the [[jurisdiction ]] stem largely from two French religious communities that were originally part of the [[Orthodox Church of France]]: St Michael's Monastery at Bois-Aubry, Touraine, a [[monasticism|monastic]] community following the Rule of St [[Benedict of Nursia]]; and Bethany,<ref>[http://www.centre-bethanie.org/content_eng.html Béthanie: A Place of Renewal]</ref> a [[laity|lay]] community for [[hesychasm|hesychastic]] spirituality at Gorze, led by Father Alphonse and Rachel Goettmann. After leaving the Orthodox Church of France, the two communities came under the jurisdiction of the [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)]] on the condition that they would be allowed to continue the use of the [[Divine Liturgy according to St Germanus of Paris]] and the Daily Office (Hours) of the ancient Western Church. When it became clear that their use of the Gallican rite would no longer be permitted, the communities, joined by some other [[clergy ]] and laity, formed the Orthodox Church of the Gauls and elected Abbot Michel bishop.