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.
The current Orthodox presence in the Philippines is minimal. However, early in the 20th century a small Russian parish, exclusively for Russian nationals, once existed 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. == The beginnings 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 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 then fought another war for its independence against the United States. However, 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 spread of the [[Anglican Communion|Episcopal Church]] through government donations of land.
'''== Arrival of Orthodoxy in the Philippines =='''There are ===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 number of accounts about Jesuit historian describing their Order’s missionary labors in the Philippines, records the history presence of Orthodoxy Armenian and Greek 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. 27).
In his book ''Historia de Philipinas'Antiochian Orthodox Christians'''It appears that the first Orthodox Christians on the islands were Syrian and Lebanese merchants and sailors, who arrived (published in Manila after Manila was opened to outside trade. The first recorded Orthodox Christians in , 1749), the Philippines were Syrian and Lebanese sailors Jesuit historian Velarde wrotes: "I believe that there is no city in 1802 according to the Syrian Consulate world in Manilawhich so many nationalities come together as here.... Many 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 Lebanese sailors married ''tuley'' or bridge of Manila will see all these nationalities pass by him, behold their costumes, and hear their families still reside languages - something which cannot be done in any other city in the Philippines entire Spanish monarchy, and have become Filipino citizens, including hardly in any other region in all the owners of a famous pizza parlor world."(Cited in Manila. Blair & Robertson's The oldest Orthodox Christian in the PhilippinesPhilippine Islands 1493-1898, Cleveland, Ohio: 1906, a Lebanese by the last name of AssadVol. XLIV, was born around 1904 and is still alivep. 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 Russian émigrés fleeing the Soviet regime occurred during the American colonial regime. In 1935, a Russian [[parish]] 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 use the north transept of their cathedral for worship. In 1937, the first Orthodox church was built and was named after the Iveron [[Icon]] of the Mother of God. This also became the first Orthodox [[altar]] in the Philippines. Later, both the Episcopal Cathedral and the Russian Orthodox church in Manila were destroyed by American bombing during the Second World War.
'''In 1949, 5,500 Russian Orthodox Christians'''An influx of Russian emigrees fleeing the Soviet regime occured during the American colonial regime. In 1935from China, a Russian including then-[[parishArchbishop]] was established in Manila, and the [[PatriarchJohn (Maximovitch)]] of Moscow and All Russia appointed Father Mikhail Yerokhin as vicar, were relocated to a former US Army base on [https://en. The Episcopal Church then permitted Frwikipedia. Mikhail to use org/wiki/Tubabao Tubabao], in the north transept of their cathedral for worship. In 1937, south central Philippines by the first Orthodox church was built International Refugee Organization and was named after with the Iberian [[Icon]] permission of the Mother newly independent Republic of God. This also became the first Orthodox [[altar]] in the Philippines. LaterUnder Archbishop John's direction a wooden church, both orphanage, and other buildings were established on the grounds of the Episcopal Cathedral and base, for the Russian Orthodox church in Manila were destroyed during the Second World Warrefugees. [[Image:John Maximovitch Tubabao.jpg|left|thumb|Abp. John Maximovitch in Tubabao]]
===St. John of Shanghai and San Franciso===In 1949Tubabao, 5however,500 Russian Orthodox from Chinawas (and still is) an underdeveloped island which is humid, including then-[[Archbishop]] [[John Maximovitch]]prone to typhoons, were relocated and at times inaccessible due to Tubabao in the south central Philippines by the International Refugee Organization and with the permission of the newly independent Republic of the Philippinesocean conditions. Abp. John Maximovitch then established When a Russian commented on their fear that a wooden churchtyphoon would destroy their camp to local Filipinos, orphanage, and other buildings in Tubabao exclusively for 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 refugeessheltered at Tubabao.
Abp. John did not preach the Orthodox faith to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waray_language Waray]-speaking inhabitants of Tubabao, however, . No Filipino was (and still is) an underdeveloped island which is humidbaptized, prone to typhoonschrismated, and at times inaccessible due to ordained or consecrated during the refugees' stay in the ocean conditionsPhilippines. When Abp. John himself was only present for a Russian commented on their fear that a typhoon would destroy their few months, until the camp to local Filipinoswas set up and running; during most of the two years the refugees were at Tubabao, they replied that there he was nothing to worry about because “your holy man blesses your camp from four directions every nightin America, lobbying the Congress for their reception into the USA.” There Through his persistent lobbying, the refugees were no typhoons or floods while Abp. John was thereallowed to settle in the United States and Australia beginning in 1951.
Arbp=== 1990s - Filipino Orthodox Christians===Around the beginning of the twentieth century, Greek sailors settled in Legaspi city on the island of Luzon. John Maximovitch did not preach the Descendants of these Greek Orthodox faith to 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 native inhabitants of Philippines, including serving as the Philippine islandsGreek consulate in Manila. No Though they do not speak the Filipino was baptizedlanguage fluently, chrismated, ordained and consecrated during his stay they were largely responsible for the re-establishment of an Orthodox presence in the Philippinesthrough their encouragement of Filipino converts and the Hellenic Orthodox Foundation.
Through [[Image:Manila_orthodox_cathedral.jpg|left|thumb|The Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral in Paranaque, Manila]]One of the persistent lobbying first Greek Orthodox to arrive in the Philippine province of AbpAlbay was Alexandros Athos Adamopoulos (aka Alexander A. John Adamson), who came to Legaspi city in 1928. Together with his brother and cousin he co-founded Adamson University in 1932, which is now owned by the Vincentian Fathers of the URoman Catholic Church.S. Congress, Adamopoulos was appointed in 1942 by the refugees were allowed Greek government to settle take charge of Greek interests in the United States and Australia beginning in 1951Philippines. He was later promoted to the rank of Consul General of Greece.
== In 1989, Adamopoulos saw the need to establish the first true Greek Orthodox Christians church in the Philippines and thus established the Rebirth of Orthodoxy =='''The Arrival of Greek Hellenic Orthodox Christians'''Around the beginning of Foundation Inc. Although he died in 1993 before the twentieth centurychurch was completed, Greek sailors settled in Legaspi city on the island of Luzon about a century ago. Descendants of these Greek Orthodox Christian sailors now number no more than 10 families, who have kept their Greek surnames Cathedral was finished in 1996 and many of whom have become distinguished public figures and intellectuals is constructed in true Byzantine style, with all the Philippines. They do notinterior furnishings imported from Greece, however, speak Greek. They also helped and is home to re-establish an approximately 520 Filipino Orthodox presence 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 helping to bring the first Filipino converts to Orthodoxy and by building Orthodox temples and chapels in the 1990sHis Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on March 5, 2000.
'''Ordination of the First Filipino Orthodox Christians'''In 1992On April 20, 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 island), together with four nuns and faithful members of his community, were received into the Orthodox Church by Metropolitan [[Dionysios (Psiahas) of Proussa|Dionysios]] of the [[Greek Orthodox 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 Manila.
On January 19In 1996, 1994the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia was created for the needs of the faithful under the [[Church of Constantinople]]. In 2004, Metropolitan Dionysiusthe Theotokos Orthodox Church in Bajada, assisted by Bishop Sotirios, received Masbate was consecrated by His Eminence Metropolitan [[ChrismationNikitas (Lulias) of Hong Kong|Holy ChrismationNikitas]] several Filipino Christians of Hong Kong and South East Asia. At present, the nuns of the Theotokos Orthodox Monastery in ManilaBajada run a kindergarten.
In 2004, ==Orthodoxy in the Theotokos Philippines today==[[Image:Filipinorthodox.jpg|left|Filipino Orthodox Church faithful in BajadaParanaque, Masbate was consecrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Manila]]Within the Ecumenical Patriarchate's [[Nikitas (Lulias) Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong|Nikitasand Southeast Asia]] of Hong Kong , there are currently three Filipino Orthodox priests in the Philippines, along with four nuns, and South East Asiaare administratively under an ecclesiastical vicar from Greece. At presentIn these communities, the nuns of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy and other Orthodox Monastery worship services are said in Bajada run a kindergartenEnglish, 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 groups today 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.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[http://www.ifi.ph/ Iglesia Filipina Independiente ("Aglipayans"] entered into a period of catechism, who came to Legaspi city and beginning in 2015 several parishes were received in 1928mass baptisms[http://orthochristian.com/82584. Together with his brother and cousin he co-founded Adamson University in 1932html][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 needs parish of the Philippines in Iveron Icon of the areas of scienceTheotokos, chemical and industrial engineeringoriginally established in 1935 but destroyed by bombing during World War II. Today Adamson University has attained recognition as on of the leading institutions for graduate educationIn February, law2019, arts, sciences, chemistry, computer education, engineering, commerce and architechturea [http://www. The university has a student population of over 22,000patriarchia. Alexandros Adamopoulos (Alexander Aru/db/text/5379588. Adamson) was appointed in 1942 by the Greek government to take charge html Diocese of Greek interests in the Philippines. He ] was later promoted to established within the rank Russian Orthodox [http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/5330863.html Patriarchal Exarchate of Consul General Southeast Asia]. [https://philippine-mission.org/about/clergy-of Greece-the-philippine-diocese/ Eight priests] now serve the Russian mission which now numbers approximately thirty parishes and mission communities.
In 1989 Alexander Adamson saw the need to establish the first true Greek There are also some [[Independent Orthodox church churches|independent groups]] in the Philippines and thus established the Hellenic Orthodox Foundation Inc. Although he died in 1993 before the church was completed, that use the term ''Orthodox Cathedral was finished '' in 1996 and is constructed their names but are not in true Byzantine style, communion with all the interior furnishings imported from Greece, and is home to approximately 200 or are recognized by any canonical Orthodox in Metro Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. This cathedral was consecrated by the Ecumenical Patriarch on March 5, 2000church.
At present there are three canonically ordained Filipino Orthodox priests in ==See also==* [[Exarchate of the Philippines. The Divine Liturgy and other Orthodox worship services are said in English and in the Filipino vernacular. The only true Orthodox parish in Manila is under |Exarchate of the Philippines, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and is spiritually administered by an ecclesiastical vicar from Greece.]]* [[Philemon (Castro)]]
==LinksExternal links==
*[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] *[http://www.exarchatecs.uniust.cchk/faculty/dimitris/metro/ The Annunciation Phil_history.html A priest's description of Orthodox missionary work in the Theotokos Cathedral in Manila 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://wwwquod.cslib.ustumich.hkedu/facultycgi/dimitrist/metrotext/Phil_historytext-idx?c=philamer;idno=AFK2830.html A priest's description of missionary work in the Philippines]*[http://www20001.mfa044 The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 by Emma E.gr/wwwBlair & James A.mfa.gr/Articles/en-US/03042007_KL1949.htm The Greek Community in Robertson, Volume XLIV, 1906] Online edition from the Philippines]*[http://www.cs.ust.hk/faculty/dimitris/metro/AUG03University of Michigan.pdf The Theotokos Orthodox Church & Monastery in Masbate]*[httphttps://wwwphilippine-mission.orthodox.cnorg/news/20000420philippines_en.htm Orthodox Patriarch Visits Fledgling Local Philippine Mission of the Russian Orthodox Church]
{{Parishes of South, East, and Southeast Asia}}
{{Parishes of South, East, and Southeast Asia}}
[[Category:Jurisdictions]]
