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This article seeks to be a clearinghouse of information and links regarding the history and state of '''[[Orthodox Christianity]] in the Philippines'''. The current Orthodox presence in the Philippines is minimal though . However, early in the 20th century a small Russian parish, exclusively for Russian nationals, once existed served émigrés in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, earlier in the twentieth century. The presence of this Russian parish ceased to exist totally after the Second World War. Another Orthodox parish under the [[jurisdiction]] of the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] was founded in Manila during the early 1990s. == The beginnings of Christianity in the Philippines ==[[Image:Magellan's_Cross.jpg‎|left|thumb|Replica of Magellan's cross planted in Cebu in 1521]]Christianity was first introduced to the Philippines in the 16th century by Spain when the Philippines became a colony. Until the Philippine Revolution of 1896, it was illegal for any non-[[Roman Catholic]] church to establish itself in the Philippines. The Archbishop of Manila served as both representative of the Spanish Inquisition and, during the absence of the governor-general, the Spanish Crown.

== Arrival of Orthodoxy in the Philippines ==Orthodoxy arrived in ===1600s - Armenian and Greek Orthodox Christians===One source suggests that the Armenians, Greeks and Mecedonians were the Philippines when Greek sailors settled in Legaspi city first Orthodox Christians on the island of Luzon about . An eighteenth century document written by Murillo Velarde, a century ago. Descendants Jesuit historian describing their Order’s missionary labors in the Philippines, records the presence of these Greek Orthodox Christian sailors now numbers no more than 10 families who kept their Armenian and Greek surnames and have become distinguished public figures and intellectuals settlers in the PhilippinesPhilippine capital city of Manila as early as 1618. [http://merlot.umdl.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=philamer;cc=philamer;q1=morenos;rgn=full%20text;idno=afk2830.0001.044;didno=AFK2830.0001.044;view=image;seq=31;page=root;size=s;frm=frameset;] (Blair & Robertson's The Philippine Islands 1493-1898, Cleveland, Ohio: 1906, Vol. XLIV, p. They do not however speak Greek27).

An influx of Russian emigrees fleeing In his book ''Historia de Philipinas'' (published in Manila, 1749), the Soviet regime occured during Jesuit historian Velarde wrotes: "I believe that there is no city in the American colonial regimeworld in which so many nationalities come together as here. In 1935, ...There are a Russian [[parish]] was established in Manilaconsiderable number of Armenians, and the [[Patriarch]] of Moscow some Persians; and Tartars, Macedonians, Turks, and All Russia appointed Father Mikhail Yerokhin as vicarGreeks... The Episcopal Church then permitted Fr. Mikhail to use so that he who spends an afternoon on the north transept ''tuley'' or bridge of Manila will see all these nationalities pass by him, behold their cathedral for worship. In 1937costumes, and hear their languages - something which cannot be done in any other city in the first Orthodox church was built entire Spanish monarchy, and was named after the Iberian [[Icon]] of hardly in any other region in all the Mother of Godworld. This also became the first Orthodox [[altar]] "(Cited in the PhilippinesBlair & Robertson's The Philippine Islands 1493-1898, Cleveland, Ohio: 1906, Vol. LaterXLIV, both the Episcopal Cathedral and the Russian Orthodox church in Manila were destroyed during the Second World Warp. 29). [[Imagehttp:John Maximovitch Tubabao//merlot.umdl.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=philamer;cc=philamer;q1=morenos;rgn=full%20text;idno=afk2830.0001.044;didno=AFK2830.jpg|left|thumb|Abp0001. John Maximovitch in Tubabao]044;view=image;seq=33;page=root;size=s;frm=frameset;]

===St. John of Shanghai and San Franciso1930s - Russian Orthodox Christians===[[Image:John Maximovitch Tubabao.jpg|right|thumb|Abp. John Maximovitch in Tubabao]]An influx of Russian émigrés fleeing the Soviet regime occurred during the American colonial regime. In 19491935, 5,500 a Russian Orthodox from China, including then-[[Archbishopparish]] was established in Manila, and the [[John MaximovitchPatriarch]], was relocated of Moscow and All Russia appointed Father Mikhail Yerokhin as vicar. The Episcopal Church then permitted Fr. Mikhail to Tubabao in use the south central Philippines by north transept of their cathedral for worship. In 1937, the International Refugee Organization first Orthodox church was built and with was named after the permission Iveron [[Icon]] of the newly independent Republic Mother of God. This also became the first Orthodox [[altar]] in the Philippines. Abp. John Maximovitch then established a wooden church, orphanageLater, both the Episcopal Cathedral and other buildings the Russian Orthodox church in Tubabao exclusively for Manila were destroyed by American bombing during the Russian refugeesSecond World War.

TubabaoIn 1949, however5, was 500 Russian Orthodox from China, including then-[[Archbishop]] [[John (and still isMaximovitch) an underdeveloped island which is humid]], prone were relocated to typhoonsa former US Army base on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubabao Tubabao], in the south central Philippines by the International Refugee Organization and at times inaccessible due to with the permission of the newly independent Republic of the ocean conditionsPhilippines. When Under Archbishop John's direction a Russian commented wooden church, orphanage, and other buildings were established on their fear that a typhoon would destroy their camp to local Filipinosthe grounds of the base, they replied that there was nothing to worry about because “your holy man blesses your camp from four directions every night.” There were no typhoons or floods while Abp. John was therefor the Russian refugees.

Arbp. John Maximovitch did not preach the Orthodox faith Tubabao, however, was (and still is) an underdeveloped island which is humid, prone to typhoons, and at times inaccessible due to the native inhabitants of the Philippine islandsocean conditions. No Filipino When a Russian commented on their fear that a typhoon would destroy their camp to local Filipinos, they replied that there was baptized, chrismated, ordained and consecrated during his stay in nothing to worry about because "your holy man blesses your camp from four directions every night." There were no typhoons or floods while the PhilippinesRussian refugees sheltered at Tubabao.

Through the persistent lobbying of Abp. John did not preach the Orthodox faith to the U[https://en.Swikipedia. org/wiki/Waray_language Waray]-speaking inhabitants of Tubabao. No Filipino was baptized, chrismated, ordained or consecrated during the refugees' stay in the Philippines. Abp. John himself was only present for a few months, until the camp was set up and running; during most of the two years the refugees were at Tubabao, he was in America, lobbying the Congressfor their reception into the USA. Through his persistent lobbying, the refugees were allowed to settle in the United States and Australia beginning in 1951.

== Reception = 1990s - Filipino Orthodox Christians===Around the beginning of the first twentieth century, Greek sailors settled in Legaspi city on the island of Luzon. Descendants of these Greek Orthodox Christian sailors now number no more than 10 families, who have kept their Greek surnames and many of whom have become distinguished public figures and intellectuals in the Philippines, including serving as the Greek consulate in Manila. Though they do not speak the Filipino language fluently, they were largely responsible for the re-establishment of an Orthodox presence in the Philippines through their encouragement of Filipino converts to Orthodoxy ==and the Hellenic Orthodox Foundation.

In 1992, a Filipino priest-monk, Fr[[Image:Manila_orthodox_cathedral. Vincentius Escarcha (a former Benedictine Abbot and a Roman Catholic priest for more than 20 years jpg‎|left|thumb|The Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral in BajadaParanaque, Cataingan, Masbate islandManila]]One of the first Greek Orthodox to arrive in the Philippine province of Albay was Alexandros Athos Adamopoulos (aka Alexander A. Adamson), together who came to Legaspi city in 1928. Together with four nuns his brother and faithful members cousin he co-founded Adamson University in 1932, which is now owned by the Vincentian Fathers of his community, were received into the Orthodox Roman Catholic Church . Adamopoulos was appointed in 1942 by Metropolitan Dionysius the Greek government to take charge of Greek interests in the Philippines. He was later promoted to the Orthodox Archdiocese of New Zealand and assisted by Bishop Sotirios rank of Zelon (now Metropolitan Sotirios Consul General of Korea)Greece.

On January 19In 1989, 1994Adamopoulos saw the need to establish the first true Greek Orthodox church in the Philippines and thus established the Hellenic Orthodox Foundation Inc. Although he died in 1993 before the church was completed, Metropolitan Dionysiusthe Orthodox Cathedral was finished in 1996 and is constructed in true Byzantine style, assisted by Bishop Sotirioswith all the interior furnishings imported from Greece, received by Holy Chrismation several and is home to approximately 520 Filipino Orthodox professing Filipino Christians and 40 expats[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exarchate_of_the_Philippines]in Metro Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. This cathedral was consecrated by His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on March 5, 2000.

In 2004On April 20, the Theotokos Orthodox Church 1990, a Filipino [[hieromonk]], Fr. Vincentius Escarcha (a former Benedictine Abbot and a Roman Catholic priest for more than 20 years in Bajada, Cataingan, Masbate was consecrated by His Eminenceisland), Metropolitan Nikitas together with four nuns and faithful members of Hong Kong and South East Asia. At presenthis community, were received into the nuns Orthodox Church by Metropolitan [[Dionysios (Psiahas) of Proussa|Dionysios]] of the Theotokos [[Greek Orthodox Monastery Metropolis of New Zealand]] and assisted by [[Sotirios (Trambas) of Korea|Bishop Sotirios of Zelon]]. On January 19, 1994, Metropolitan Dionysios, assisted by Bishop Sotirios, received by [[Chrismation|Holy Chrismation]] several Filipino Christians in Bajada runs a kindergarten Manila.

== Other Jurisdiction Orthodoxy in the Philippines today==In December 2006, Fr[[Image:Filipinorthodox. Chris Gainjpg‎|left|Filipino Orthodox faithful in Paranaque, a deacon from Manila]]Within the Ecumenical Patriarchate's [[Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese Metropolitanate of Australia Hong Kong and New ZealandSoutheast Asia]], came to Manila and without informing the local church hierarchy of the Orthodox Church in the Philippines registered a church bearing the name "Iglesia Orthodoxa ng Pilipinas" (Orthodox Church of the Philippines). Their webpage describe their church as the there are currently three Filipino Orthodox Church priests in the Philippines. This church is seeking to receive Filipino clergymen through incardination.They do not provide information regarding the actual number of members. This jurisdiction, represented by one Abbot Cristofor based in New Castlealong with four nuns, Australia, has no clergyand are administratively under an ecclesiastical vicar from Greece. In these communities, churches nor parishes anywhere in the Philippines Divine Liturgy and is not in communion with the canonical other Orthodox Church worship services are said in the Philippines which is under the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] of ConstantinopleEnglish, Greek and Filipino.

==Orthodoxy In 2007 the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Mission in the Philippines Today==[[Imagehttp:Manila_orthodox_cathedral//en.wikipedia.jpg‎|left|thumb|The Annunciation org/wiki/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Mission_in_the_Philippines], was established under the [[Antiochian Orthodox Cathderal in Paranaque, ManilaArchdiocese of Australia and New Zealand]]There are . In 2008, two Filipino denominations were received into the Antiochian church, including 32 communities with some clandestine 6000 believers. These denominations - one ex-protestant, led by Fr Jeptah Aniceto, and cultic groups today one ex-independent, led by Fr Pascualito Monsanto - formed two vicariates, based in Davao and Manila respectively. In 2009 Jeptah Aniceto [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Mission_in_the_Philippines left the Philippines that claim Orthodox Church] to be Eastern Orthodox; howeverpursue native religious teaching in Africa, they all lack and now [[apostolic successionhttps://www.facebook.com/BangsaLumad identifies as a Muslim]] and do not adhere to . Many of his followers left the traditions and Antiochian Church; some connected with an [[canon law|canonsOld Calendarist]] of the canonical Orthodox Churchgroup under Bishop Kleopas (Daclan).

One of In 2013, clergy from both ROCOR and the first Greek Orthodox Moscow Patriarchate responded to arrive in requests from Filipino groups for catechism. Two dioceses of the Philippines was Alexandros Athos Adamopoulos who came to Legaspi city in 1928[http://www.ifi. Together with his brother ph/ Iglesia Filipina Independiente ("Aglipayans"] entered into a period of catechism, and cousin he co-founded Adamson University beginning in 2015 several parishes were received in 1932mass baptisms[http://orthochristian.com/82584.html][http://orthochristian.com/81728.html]. The university In 2017 a hieromonk was and is noted for its curriculum directed towards sent from Russia to reestablish the parish of the Iveron Icon of the needs Theotokos, originally established in 1935 but destroyed by bombing during World War II. In February, 2019, a [http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/5379588.html Diocese of the Philippines in ] was established within the areas Russian Orthodox [http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/5330863.html Patriarchal Exarchate of science, chemical and industrial engineeringSoutheast Asia]. [https://philippine-mission. Today Adamson University has attained recognition as on org/about/clergy-of -the-philippine-diocese/ Eight priests] now serve the leading institutions for Graduate Education, Law, Arts, Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Education, Engineering, Commerce Russian mission which now numbers approximately thirty parishes and Architechture. The university has a student population of over 22,000mission communities.

During World War II Alexandros Adamopoulos (Alexander A. Adamson) was appointed in 1942 by the Greek government to take charge of Greek interests There are also some [[Independent Orthodox churches|independent groups]] in the Philippines. He was later promoted to that use the rank of Consul General of Greeceterm ''Orthodox'' in their names but are not in communion with or are recognized by any canonical Orthodox church.

In 1989 Alexander Adamson saw ==See also==* [[Exarchate of the need to establish the first true Greek Orthodox church in Philippines|Exarchate of the Philippines and thus established the Hellenic Orthodox Foundation Inc.. Although he died in 1993 before the church was completed, the Orthodox Cathedral was finished in 1996 and is constructed in the true byzantium style with all the interior furnishings imported from Greece and is home to approximately 200 orthodox in the Philippines. This Cathedral was consecrated by the Ecumenical Patriarch on March 5, 2000. Patriarchate]]* [[Philemon (Castro)]]

*[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Orthodox-Church-in-the-Philippines/187805037902231 Affiliate in the Philippines - Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia]*[http://filorthodoxia.googlepages.com/church.htm History of the First Filipino Orthodox Community in the Philippines] by Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis*[http://www.orthodoxnews.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=WorldNews.one&content_id=Links7354&CFID=29993857&CFTOKEN=90155693 Ecumenical Patriarch Consecrates Annunciation Church in Manila]*[http://www.orthodox.cn/news/20000420philippines_en.htm Orthodox Patriarch Visits Fledgling Local Orthodox Church]*[http://www.exarchatecs.uniust.cchk/faculty/dimitris/metro/ AUG03.pdf The Annunciation of the Theotokos Orthodox CathedralChurch & Monastery in Masbate](Information in an issue of The Censer)*[http://orthodox-communitieswww.cs.blogspotust.comhk/faculty/2007dimitris/04metro/orthodox-communities-Phil_major_events.html Major Events of Orthodoxy in-philippinesthe Philippines] *[http://www.cs.ust.hk/faculty/dimitris/metro/Phil_history.html A priest's description of Orthodox Communities missionary work in the Philippines]

*[http://wwwquod.cslib.ustumich.hkedu/facultycgi/dimitrist/metrotext/Phil_historytext-idx?c=philamer;idno=AFK2830.0001.html 044 The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 by Emma E. Blair & James A priest's description . Robertson, Volume XLIV, 1906] Online edition from the University of missionary work in the Philippines]Michigan.*[httphttps://www2.mfaphilippine-mission.grorg/www.mfa.gr/Articles/en-US/03042007_KL1949.htm The Greek Community in Philippine Mission of the PhilippinesRussian Orthodox Church] {{Parishes of South, East, and Southeast Asia}}