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In 1870 the Russian Orthodox episcopal see was moved from Alaska to San Francisco and was known as the Orthodox Mission. Then the mission became the Aleutian and North American Diocese.

Before the 1919 ruling bishops in America, appointed by the Russian Holy Synod. This year, by order of the All-Russian Council, the American diocese has chosen a bishop Alexander (Nemolovsky).

All subsequent post-revolutionary history of the American diocese is closely linked with the name of the Odessa Metropolitan Platon.

In the days of January 1920 at the Odessa Cathedral Mitropa. Plato, inspired and authoritative preacher, spoke gromonosnye speech against the Bolsheviks, organized a team to save the country from the lists of names of each member. January 24, when the Bolsheviks broke into Odessa, rushed to the Bishops house Mitropa. Plato was not there. He managed to take refuge in a foreign cruiser.

According to the lists found among the documents of Metropolitan, the Bolsheviks in the same night, was shot about a thousand young people who volunteer to defend our homeland.

Arriving to the Supreme Ecclesiastical Administration in Southern Russia, Mitropa. Plato received from him a trip to North America to clean up frustrated Affairs of the American Diocese.

May 3, 1922 was in Moscow, the American Colton gave the patriarch Tikhon he had received from America a request for the appointment of Metropolitan Platon ruling diocesan bishop, to which Patriarch Tikhon responded that a recommendation that Mr. Colton even tell, "the bishops of the Cathedral of refugees abroad who manage foreign affairs of the Church".

Present at this conversation as an interpreter Rev. Theodore Paszkowski, arriving abroad, filed a report to the Synod of Bishops on this July 1, 1922.

August 23 The Synod appointed Mitropa. Plato's temporary administrator of the North American diocese. A year later, September 29, 1923, Patriarch Tikhon issued a decree appointing Mitropa. Plato, referring to its definition in 1922.

Actions Mitropa. Plato in America led to the fact that the January 16, 1924 Patriarch Tikhon dismissed Mitropa. Plato on the diocese and even called him to Moscow for trial.

In connection with this Decree, April 2, 1924 in Detroit, was convened council of clergy and laity, who has decided to introduce autocephaly, electing the head of the Metropolitan Platon of the American Church. Chaired the Council of the priest. From 300 parishes, as delegates were 110 priests and 37 laymen.

The solution was formulated as follows:

"Temporarily declare the Russian Orthodox Church, Diocese of self-government so that it is governed by its elected bishop, through the Council of Bishops, the Council, composed of elected lay councils and periodicals throughout the American Church." Appointed by the Synod of Bishops on the American diocese and had just arrived from the road to the Cathedral of the Bishop Appolinary could not understand what is happening, and no part in the debate and voting did not take.

About the Detroit ruling Congress Mitropa. Plato brought to the attention of the President of America.

In October 1924 Mitropa. Platon participates in the Council of Bishops in Sremski Karlovci, and a special message to the American Council on behalf of the congregation speaks against various dissenters and supports the rights of Mitropa. Plato.

At the Bishops' Council 12-14 June 1926, which left the Mitropa. Eulogius, Mitropa. Plato made a detailed report on the state of the Church in America, and assured the council that he has never held, and does not make the idea of autocephaly of the Russian Orthodox Church in America, moreover, that he is a staunch enemy of the autocephalous status of his diocese.

Testifying their loyalty to Synod Abroad, he asked me to give him a hand-signed by all members of the Council, harvested his lawyers letter to all the Patriarchs and to the Russian Orthodox Church in America, which were confirmed to his right and authority to control the Orthodox Church in America and he needs was for a lawsuit against the Living Church on Church Property.

Cathedral of such letters did not give him, suspecting him of insincerity and striving for the establishment in America autocephaly, then Mitropa. Plato left the cathedral of the meeting. Council member of the Synod of Bishops decided it did not take it until he rejects the decision of the Council and Detroit does not comply with the Council and the Synod Abroad.

Thus, in 1926, both the Metropolitan - Eulogius in Western Europe and Plato in North America - resigned from the Council of Bishops of Russian foreign bishops.

The decision of the Council of Bishops September 10, 1926 followed by a reply message to the bishops of the North American diocese in such an abusive, rude and bold expressions, even Mitropa. Plato thought it necessary to send an apology and to give it up, asking him to return to the authors.

After moving to the Synod of Bishops for America, on his part was an attempt to meet the new head of the American Metropolis Mitropa. Leontius, but he did not agree to such a meeting.

In the above "canonical basis" American Metropolis existed until 1970, when the result of lengthy negotiations, the Moscow Patriarchate granted autocephaly to her.

Currently, the Orthodox Church in America headed by the Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada Theodosius. In addition to the metropolitan diocese there are nine dioceses:

1. New York and New Dzherziyskaya (arhiep. Peter).

2. Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania (Bishop Cyril).

3. Dallas (Bishop Demetrius).

4. Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania (Bishop Herman).
Five. Sitka and Alaska (Bishop Gregory).

6. Detroit (Bishop Nathaniel).

7. Hartford (Bishop Job).
Eight. San Francisco (Bishop Tikhon).

9. Ottawa (Bishop Seraphim).
There are different departments: Legislative, missionary, pastoral life, Theological Education, Youth, Liturgical.

Commission: The canonical, financial, planning...


Theological schools:
A. St. Herman Seminary in Kodiak.
Two. St. Tikhon's Seminary in South Canaan (Pennsylvania).
Three. St. Vladimir's Seminary in Krestvuud (New York).

Of the monasteries, you can specify:
New Valaam at Kodiak.
Four in the State of California (Calistoga, Site Rosa, Point Ries
Station, Vemon Island).
Two in New York City (Cambridge, Otego).
Two Pennsylvania (South Canaan, Ellwood).
Five in Canada (Montreal, Ottawa, Kamluns, Fitch, Rawdon).
In Woodstock Valley (State of Kannektikut).
Two in Miami (Rives Dzhonkshon, Risaka).

There are also various theological society (6), organization (21), camp (18). 23 national and diocesan publications. 560 churches with more than 700 priests (not more than 100 that are at rest).