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Orthodoxy in the Philippines

2,368 bytes added, 02:17, October 3, 2019
Updated info on the Russian Orthodox Diocese of the Philippines with external links.
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 ==
===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 Jesuit 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, Vol. XLIV, p. 27).
== The Arrival Of Orthodoxy ==  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 the Lebanese sailors married Armenians, and their families still reside in the Philippines some Persians; and have become Filipino citizensTartars, including the owners of a famous pizza parlor in Manila. The oldest Orthodox Christian in the PhilippinesMacedonians, a Lebanese by the last name of AssadTurks, was born around 1904 and is still aliveGreeks....   so that he who spends an afternoon on the ''tuley'Russian Orthodox Christians'''An influx or bridge of Russian emigrees fleeing the Soviet regime occured during the American colonial regime. In 1935Manila will see all these nationalities pass by him, a Russian [[parish]] was established in Manilabehold their costumes, and hear their languages - something which cannot be done in any other city in 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 1937entire Spanish monarchy, the first Orthodox church was built 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.jpg|left|thumb|Abpumdl. John Maximovitch in Tubabao]] umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=philamer;cc=philamer;q1=St. John of Shanghai and San Franciso=morenos;rgn=full%20text;idno=In 1949, 5,500 Russian Orthodox from China, including then-[[Archbishop]] [[John Maximovitch]], were relocated to Tubabao in the south central Philippines by the International Refugee Organization and with the permission of the newly independent Republic of the Philippinesafk2830. Abp0001. John Maximovitch then established a wooden church, orphanage, and other buildings in Tubabao exclusively 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 night044;didno=AFK2830.” There were no typhoons or floods while Abp. John was there0001. 044;view=image;seq=33;page=root;size=s;frm=frameset;]
Arbp===1930s - Russian Orthodox Christians===[[Image:John Maximovitch Tubabao.jpg|right|thumb|Abp. John Maximovitch did not preach 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 faith to church was built and was named after the Iveron [[Icon]] of the native inhabitants Mother of God. This also became the first Orthodox [[altar]] in the Philippine islandsPhilippines. No Filipino was baptizedLater, chrismated, ordained both the Episcopal Cathedral and consecrated the Russian Orthodox church in Manila were destroyed by American bombing during his stay in the PhilippinesSecond World War.
Through 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 persistent lobbying newly independent Republic of Abpthe Philippines. Under Archbishop John to 's direction a wooden church, orphanage, and other buildings were established on the grounds of the U.S. Congressbase, for the Russian refugees were allowed to settle in the United States and Australia beginning in 1951.
== Greek Orthodox Christians 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 Rebirth of Orthodoxy ==Russian refugees sheltered at Tubabao.
Abp. John did not preach the Orthodox faith to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waray_language Waray]-speaking inhabitants of Tubabao. No Filipino was baptized, chrismated, ordained or consecrated during the refugees'''The Arrival 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 Greek Orthodox Christians'''the two years the refugees were at Tubabao, he was in America, lobbying the Congress for their reception into the USA. Through his persistent lobbying, the refugees were allowed to settle in the United States and Australia beginning in 1951.
=== 1990s - Filipino Orthodox Christians===Around the beginning of the twentieth century, 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 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 Greekthe Filipino language fluently, they were largely responsible for the re-establishment of an Orthodox presence in the Philippines through their encouragement of Filipino converts and the Hellenic Orthodox Foundation.
'''[[Image:Manila_orthodox_cathedral.jpg‎|left|thumb|The Hellenic Annunciation Orthodox Foundation''' Cathedral in Paranaque, Manila]]One of the first Greek Orthodox to arrive in the Philippines Philippine province of Albay was Alexandros Athos Adamopoulos(aka Alexander A. Adamson), who came to Legaspi city in 1928. Together with his brother and cousin he co-founded Adamson University in 1932. The university was and , which is noted for its curriculum directed towards the needs of the Philippines in the areas of science, chemical and industrial engineering. Adamson University, now owned by the Vincentian Fathers of the Roman Catholic Church, has attained recognition as one of the leading institutions for graduate education, law, arts, sciences, chemistry, computer education, engineering, commerce and architechture. The university has a student population of over 22,000.
Alexandros Adamopoulos (Alexander A. Adamson) was appointed in 1942 by the Greek government to take charge of Greek interests in the Philippines. He was later promoted to the rank of Consul General of Greece.
In 1989 Alexander Adamson , Adamopoulos 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, the Orthodox Cathedral was finished in 1996 and is constructed in true Byzantine style, with all the interior furnishings imported from Greece, and is home to approximately 200 520 Filipino Orthodox 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 the His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on March 5, 2000.
'''Reception On 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 first [[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 converts to Orthodoxy'''Christians in Manila.
On April 20In 1996, 1990, a Filipino the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia was created for the needs of the faithful under the [[hieromonkChurch of Constantinople]]. In 2004, Fr. Vincentius Escarcha (a former Benedictine Abbot and a Roman Catholic priest for more than 20 years the Theotokos Orthodox Church in Bajada, Cataingan, Masbate island), together with four nuns and faithful members of his community, were received into the Orthodox Church was consecrated by His Eminence Metropolitan [[Dionysios Nikitas (PsiahasLulias) of ProussaHong Kong|DionysiosNikitas]] of Hong Kong and South East Asia. At present, the nuns of the [[Greek Theotokos Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand]] and assisted by [[Sotirios (Trambas) of Korea|Bishop Sotirios of Zelon]]Monastery in Bajada run a kindergarten.
On January 19==Orthodoxy in the Philippines today==[[Image:Filipinorthodox.jpg‎|left|Filipino Orthodox faithful in Paranaque, 1994, Metropolitan Dionysius, assisted by Bishop Sotirios, received by Manila]]Within the Ecumenical Patriarchate's [[Chrismation|Holy ChrismationOrthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia]] several , there are currently three Filipino Christians Orthodox priests in Manilathe Philippines, along with four nuns, and are administratively under an ecclesiastical vicar from Greece. In these communities, the Divine Liturgy and other Orthodox worship services are said in English, Greek and Filipino.
In 2004, 2007 the Theotokos Antiochian Orthodox Church Christian Mission in Bajadathe Philippines[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Mission_in_the_Philippines], Masbate was consecrated by His Eminence Metropolitan established under the [[Nikitas (Lulias) Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Hong Kong|NikitasAustralia and New Zealand]] of Hong Kong and South East Asia. At presentIn 2008, two Filipino denominations were received into the nuns of Antiochian 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.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Mission_in_the_Philippines left the Theotokos Orthodox Monastery Church] to pursue native religious teaching in Bajada run Africa, and now [https://www.facebook.com/BangsaLumad identifies as a kindergartenMuslim]. Many of his followers left the Antiochian Church; some connected with an [[Old Calendarist]] group under Bishop Kleopas (Daclan).
==Orthodoxy in In 2013, clergy from both ROCOR and the Moscow Patriarchate responded to requests from Filipino groups for catechism. Two dioceses of the Philippines today==[http://www.ifi.ph/ Iglesia Filipina Independiente ("Aglipayans"] entered into a period of catechism, and beginning in 2015 several parishes were received in mass baptisms[Imagehttp:Manila_orthodox_cathedral//orthochristian.jpg‎|left|thumb|The Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral com/82584.html][http://orthochristian.com/81728.html]. In 2017 a hieromonk was sent from Russia to reestablish the parish of the Iveron Icon of the Theotokos, originally established in Paranaque1935 but destroyed by bombing during World War II. In February, Manila2019, a [http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/5379588.html Diocese of the Philippines] was established within the Russian Orthodox [http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/5330863.html Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia]. [https://philippine-mission.org/about/clergy-of-the-philippine-diocese/ Eight priests]now serve the Russian mission which now numbers approximately thirty parishes and mission communities.
Within the Ecumenical Patriarchate's There are also some [[Independent Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asiachurches|independent groups]], there are currently three canonically ordained Filipino Orthodox priests in the Philippines under that use the spiritual jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and are administratively under an ecclesiastical vicar from Greece. In these communities, the Divine Liturgy and other term ''Orthodox worship services '' in their names but are said not in English, Greek and Filipino (the official, standardized form of Tagalog), the official language of the Philippinescommunion with or are recognized by any canonical Orthodox church.
In addition, since 2006 ==See also==* [[Exarchate of the Antiochian metropolitan Philippines|Exarchate of Australia and New Zealandthe Philippines, Metr. Ecumenical Patriarchate]]* [[Paul (Saliba) of Australia and New Zealand|Paul Philemon (SalibaCastro)]], has received contact from several families interested in an Antiochian presence in the Philippines. The interest has been responded to by the placement of an Orthodox Seminary/Study Center at St. Andrew's Seminary in metropolitan Manila. The Study Center is to stimulate interest in Orthodox theology and history within the local Filipino population. The Antiochian patriarch is also supportive of the local Filipino population merging Orthodox practice with their own culture.
The rector of the Orthodox Student Center at St. Andrew's Episcopal Seminary is from the monastic community in Australia. Rector Abbot/Father Kristofor is gathering those interested in Orthodoxy as well as forming small parish communities within the settlement areas of the Philippines. The coming of the Antiochian presence has not been without protest from existing Orthodox communities.==External links==
There are also some [[Independent Orthodox churches|independent groups]] in the Philippines that use the term ''Orthodox'' in their names but are not in communion with or are recognized by any canonical Orthodox church. ==Links==*[http://www.orthodoxfacebook.org.phcom/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.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]
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{{Parishes of South, East, and Southeast Asia}}
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