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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. However, early in the 20th century a small Russian parish served émigrés in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. The presence of this Russian parish ceased to exist after the Second World War. Another Orthodox parish under the [[jurisdiction]] of the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] was founded in Manila during the early 1990s.

== 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 its colony. Until the Philippine Revolution of 1896, it was illegal for any non-[[Roman Catholic]] church to establish itself in the Philippines. The current Orthodox presence in Archbishop of Manila served as both representative of the Spanish Inquisition and, during the absence of the governor-general, the Spanish Crown.  After fighting a bloody revolution against Spain, the Philippines is minimalthen fought another war for its independence against the United States. However, early the Philippines was annexed by the United States in 1898 and remained a colony until 1946. Religious tolerance was then instituted. The new American governor-generals then encouraged the 20th spread of the [[Anglican Communion|Episcopal Church]] through government donations of land. == Arrival of Orthodoxy =====1600s - Armenian and Greek Orthodox Christians===One source suggests that the Armenians, Greeks and Mecedonians were the first Orthodox Christians on the island. An eighteenth century document written by Murillo Velarde, a small Russian parishJesuit historian describing their Order’s missionary labors in the Philippines, records the presence of Armenian and Greek settlers in the Philippine 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, exclusively for Russian nationalsVol. XLIV, once existed p. 27). In his book ''Historia de Philipinas'' (published in Manila, 1749), the capital Jesuit historian Velarde wrotes: "I believe that there is no city in the world in which so many nationalities come together as here....There are a considerable number of Armenians, and some Persians; and Tartars, Macedonians, Turks, and Greeks....so that he who spends an afternoon on the ''tuley'' or bridge of Manila will see all these nationalities pass by him, behold their costumes, and hear their languages - something which cannot be done in any other city in the entire Spanish monarchy, and hardly in any other region in all the Philippinesworld. "(Cited in Blair & Robertson's The presence Philippine Islands 1493-1898, Cleveland, Ohio: 1906, Vol. XLIV, p. 29). [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=33;page=root;size=s;frm=frameset;] ===1930s - Russian Orthodox Christians===[[Image:John Maximovitch Tubabao.jpg|right|thumb|Abp. John Maximovitch in Tubabao]]An influx of this Russian émigrés fleeing the Soviet regime occurred during the American colonial regime. In 1935, a Russian [[parish ceased ]] was established in Manila, and the [[Patriarch]] of Moscow and All Russia appointed Father Mikhail Yerokhin as vicar. The Episcopal Church then permitted Fr. Mikhail to exist after use the Second World Warnorth transept of their cathedral for worship. Another In 1937, the first Orthodox parish under church was built and was named after the Iveron [[jurisdictionIcon]] of the Mother of God. This also became the first Orthodox [[Ecumenical Patriarchatealtar]] was founded in the Philippines. Later, both the Episcopal Cathedral and the Russian Orthodox church in Manila were destroyed by American bombing during the early 1990sSecond World War. In 1949, 5,500 Russian Orthodox from China, including then-[[Archbishop]] [[John (Maximovitch)]], were relocated to a former US Army base on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubabao Tubabao], in the south central Philippines by the International Refugee Organization and with the permission of the newly independent Republic of the Philippines. Under Archbishop John's direction a wooden church, orphanage, and other buildings were established on the grounds of the base, for the Russian refugees.  Tubabao, however, was (and still is) an underdeveloped island which is humid, prone to typhoons, and at times inaccessible due to the ocean conditions. When a Russian commented on their fear that a typhoon would destroy their camp to local Filipinos, 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 the Russian refugees sheltered at Tubabao.

== The beginnings of Christianity in Abp. John did not preach the Orthodox faith to the Philippines ==[[Imagehttps:Magellan's_Cross//en.wikipedia.jpg‎|left|thumb|Replica org/wiki/Waray_language Waray]-speaking inhabitants of Magellan's cross planted in Cebu in 1521]]Christianity Tubabao. No Filipino was first introduced to baptized, chrismated, ordained or consecrated during the Philippines refugees' stay in the 16th century by Spain, when the Philippines became its colony. Until Abp. John himself was only present for a few months, until the Philippine Revolution camp was set up and running; during most of 1896the two years the refugees were at Tubabao, it he was illegal in America, lobbying the Congress for any non-[[Roman Catholic]] church to establish itself in their reception into the PhilippinesUSA. The Archbishop of Manila served as both representative of the Spanish Inquisition andThrough his persistent lobbying, during the absence of refugees were allowed to settle in the governor-general, the Spanish CrownUnited States and Australia beginning in 1951.

After fighting a bloody revolution against Spain=== 1990s - Filipino Orthodox Christians===Around the beginning of the twentieth century, Greek sailors settled in Legaspi city on the Philippines then fought another war for its independence against the United Statesisland of Luzon. HoweverDescendants 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 was annexed by , including serving as the United States Greek consulate in 1898 and remained a colony until 1946Manila. Religious tolerance was instituted during Though they do not speak the Filipino language fluently, they were largely responsible for the American colonial regime. The new American governorre-generals then encouraged the spread establishment of an Orthodox presence in the [[Anglican Communion|Episcopal Church]] Philippines through government donations their encouragement of landFilipino converts and the Hellenic Orthodox Foundation.

== Orthodoxy [[Image:Manila_orthodox_cathedral.jpg‎|left|thumb|The Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral in Paranaque, Manila]]One of the Philippines ==Orthodoxy arrived first Greek Orthodox to arrive in the Philippines when Syrian and Lebanese merchants and sailors arrived in Manila after Manila Philippine province of Albay was opened Alexandros Athos Adamopoulos (aka Alexander A. Adamson), who came to outside tradeLegaspi city in 1928. The first recorded Orthodox Christian Together with his brother and cousin he co-founded Adamson University in 1932, which is a Lebanese family now owned by the Vincentian Fathers of the Roman Catholic Church. Adamopoulos was appointed in 1802. Many 1942 by the Greek government to take charge of the Lebanese families still reside Greek interests in the Philippines and have become Filipino citizens. He was later promoted to the rank of Consul General of Greece.

An influx of Russian emigrees fleeing the Soviet regime occured during the American colonial regime. In 19351989, a Russian [[parish]] was established in Manila, and Adamopoulos saw the [[Patriarch]] of [[Church of Russia|Moscow and All Russia]] appointed Father Mikhail Yerokhin as vicar. The Episcopal Church then permitted Fr. Mikhail need to use the north transept of their cathedral for worship. In 1937, establish the first true Greek Orthodox church was built in the Philippines and was named after thus established the Iberian [[Icon]] of the Mother of GodHellenic Orthodox Foundation Inc. This also became the first Orthodox [[altar]] Although he died in 1993 before the Philippines. Laterchurch was completed, both the Episcopal Orthodox Cathedral was finished in 1996 and is constructed in true Byzantine style, with all the Russian interior furnishings imported from Greece, and is home to approximately 520 Filipino Orthodox church and 40 expats[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exarchate_of_the_Philippines]in Metro Manila were destroyed during , the Second World Warcapital city of the Philippines. [[Image:John Maximovitch TubabaoThis cathedral was consecrated by His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on March 5, 2000.jpg|left|thumb|Abp. John Maximovitch in Tubabao]]

===StOn April 20, 1990, a Filipino [[hieromonk]], Fr. John of Shanghai Vincentius Escarcha (a former Benedictine Abbot and San Franciso===In 1949a Roman Catholic priest for more than 20 years in Bajada, 5Cataingan,500 Russian Masbate island), together with four nuns and faithful members of his community, were received into the Orthodox from China, including then-Church by Metropolitan [[ArchbishopDionysios (Psiahas) of Proussa|Dionysios]] of the [[John MaximovitchGreek Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand]], were relocated to Tubabao in the south central Philippines and assisted by the International Refugee Organization and with the permission [[Sotirios (Trambas) of the newly independent Republic Korea|Bishop Sotirios of the PhilippinesZelon]]. Abp. John Maximovitch then established a wooden church On January 19, 1994, Metropolitan Dionysios, orphanageassisted by Bishop Sotirios, and other buildings received by [[Chrismation|Holy Chrismation]] several Filipino Christians in Tubabao exclusively for the Russian refugees Manila.

TubabaoIn 1996, howeverthe Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia was created for the needs of the faithful under the [[Church of Constantinople]]. In 2004, the Theotokos Orthodox Church in Bajada, Masbate was consecrated by His Eminence Metropolitan [[Nikitas (Lulias) of Hong Kong|Nikitas]] of Hong Kong and still is) an underdeveloped island which is humidSouth East Asia. At present, prone to typhoons, and at times inaccessible due to the ocean conditions. When nuns of the Theotokos Orthodox Monastery in Bajada run a Russian commented on their fear that a typhoon would destroy their camp to local Filipinos, 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 therekindergarten.

Arbp==Orthodoxy in the Philippines today==[[Image:Filipinorthodox. John Maximovitch did not preach jpg‎|left|Filipino Orthodox faithful in Paranaque, Manila]]Within the Ecumenical Patriarchate's [[Orthodox faith to the native inhabitants Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia]], there are currently three Filipino Orthodox priests in the Philippine islandsPhilippines, along with four nuns, and are administratively under an ecclesiastical vicar from Greece. No Filipino was baptizedIn these communities, chrismatedthe Divine Liturgy and other Orthodox worship services are said in English, ordained Greek and consecrated during his stay in the PhilippinesFilipino.

Through In 2007 the persistent lobbying Antiochian Orthodox Christian Mission in the Philippines[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Mission_in_the_Philippines], was established under the [[Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of AbpAustralia and New Zealand]]. John to In 2008, two Filipino denominations were received into the UAntiochian church, including 32 communities with some 6000 believers. These denominations - one ex-protestant, led by Fr Jeptah Aniceto, and one ex-independent, led by Fr Pascualito Monsanto - formed two vicariates, based in Davao and Manila respectively. In 2009 Jeptah Aniceto [https://en.Swikipedia. Congress, org/wiki/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Mission_in_the_Philippines left the refugees were allowed Orthodox Church] to settle pursue native religious teaching in Africa, and now [https://www.facebook.com/BangsaLumad identifies as a Muslim]. Many of his followers left the United States and Australia beginning in 1951Antiochian Church; some connected with an [[Old Calendarist]] group under Bishop Kleopas (Daclan).

*[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=7354&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.cs.ust.hk/faculty/dimitris/metro/AUG03.pdf The Theotokos Orthodox Church & Monastery in Masbate] (Information in an issue of The Censer)*[http://www.cs.ust.hk/faculty/dimitris/metro/Phil_major_events.html Major Events of Orthodoxy in the Philippines Today] *[http://www.cs.ust.hk/faculty/dimitris/metro/Phil_history.html A priest's description of Orthodox missionary work in the Philippines]*[http://www.rocor.org.au/lives/stjohnsanfranciscoshanghai Life of St. John Maximovitch]*[http://www2.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/Articles/en-US/03042007_KL1949.htm The Greek Community in the Philippines]*[http://www.hri.org/forum/life/adamson.html Greeks in the Philippines and their contributions to the Filipinos]*[http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=philamer;idno=AFK2830.0001.044 The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 by Emma E. Blair & James A. Robertson, Volume XLIV, 1906] Online edition from the University of Michigan.*[https://philippine-mission.org/ Philippine Mission of the Russian Orthodox Church]

There are many groups today in the Philippines that claim to be Eastern Orthodox; however{{Parishes of South, East, they all lack [[apostolic succession]] and do not adhere to the traditions and [[canon law|canons]] of the canonical Orthodox Church.Southeast Asia}}