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True Orthodox Church of the Diaspora

Under the Omophorion of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Alexy

Who We Are

The True Orthodox Church of the Diaspora (TOC‑D) is the living continuation of the historic Russian Orthodox Church as preserved by the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia and the faithful Catacomb Church during the Soviet persecution. We stand firmly in the Orthodox Christian tradition, upholding the faith “once delivered unto the saints” with integrity, courage, and pastoral love.

Our Church exists to safeguard the purity of the Orthodox faith, maintain canonical freedom, and provide spiritual refuge for all who seek uncompromised, traditional Orthodoxy in the modern world.

Our Mission

We are committed to:

  • Preserving the Faith of the New Martyrs Their witness is the foundation of our ecclesial identity.

  • Maintaining Canonical Freedom The Church must remain free from political domination and ideological compromise.

  • Serving the Faithful Worldwide Our communities span Russia, Ukraine, the Americas, Europe, and beyond.

  • Upholding Apostolic Continuity Our hierarchy descends from the restored apostolic succession of 1996, ensuring the full sacramental life of the Church.

  • Offering Traditional Orthodox Worship We preserve the ancient liturgical, ascetical, and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church, including a Western Rite diocese for those rooted in Western Christian heritage.

Our History

The TOC‑D traces its origins to the ancient Christianization of the Rus’ under St. Vladimir in 988. After centuries of flourishing, the Church entered a period of severe persecution following the Bolshevik Revolution. The faithful who refused to compromise with the atheist regime formed the True Orthodox (Catacomb) Church, preserving the faith in secret.

In 1996, apostolic succession was restored through hierarchs of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, forming the Russian True Orthodox Church – Moscow Metropolia. In 2022, reflecting its global mission, the Church adopted the name True Orthodox Church of the Diaspora.

Our First Hierarch

His Beatitude, Most Reverend Metropolitan Alexy

Archbishop of Minneapolis and Chicago Metropolitan and First Hierarch of the True Orthodox Church of the Diaspora

  • Consecrated Bishop: February 2, 2003 (n.s.), Moscow

  • Elevated to Archbishop: March 27, 2005

  • Appointed Locum Tenens: May 9 (22), 2012

  • Elected Second Primate: By canonical vote of the Hierarchical Synod

His Beatitude leads the Church with pastoral warmth, theological clarity, and unwavering fidelity to the confessor tradition.

Our Vision

We strive to be:

  • A confessor Church, faithful to Christ in all circumstances

  • A spiritual refuge for those seeking authentic Orthodoxy

  • A global witness to the freedom and purity of the Gospel

  • A community of love, grounded in prayer, humility, and sacramental life

The True Orthodox Church of the Diaspora stands as a beacon of traditional Orthodoxy—rooted in the past, alive in the present, and steadfast for the future.

Archangel Diocese

True Orthodox Church of the Diaspora

631 W. Main Street, Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255

Our Identity and Mission

The True Orthodox Church of the Diaspora – Archangel Diocese is a canonical Old Calendar Orthodox jurisdiction dedicated to preserving the fullness of the Orthodox faith, the integrity of Holy Tradition, and the spiritual life of the faithful throughout the diaspora.

Rooted in the patristic witness and upheld by the unbroken apostolic succession of our hierarchs, the Archangel Diocese exists to safeguard authentic Orthodox ecclesial life, uphold the sacred liturgical tradition, and shepherd the flock of Christ with pastoral love, discernment, and fidelity.

Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel with clarity, celebrate the Divine Mysteries with reverence, and form communities grounded in prayer, charity, and the ascetical life of the Church. Through pastoral leadership, charitable outreach, and the preservation of the liturgical year, we strive to strengthen Orthodox Christian identity in a rapidly changing world.

Charitable and Community Work

The Archangel Diocese is deeply committed to works of mercy and community service. Among its ongoing ministries:

  • Archangels Memorial Garden (founded 1989), a place of remembrance, prayer, and community service

  • Support for the Shepherd House Food Pantry Program serving Carbon County

  • Formation of the Saints Peter and Paul Mission Parish, extending pastoral presence in the region

  • Charitable outreach through the Archangel Diocese, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to religious, charitable, and educational work

These ministries reflect our commitment to living the Gospel through service, compassion, and the sanctification of community life.

Most Reverend Archbishop Alexios

Archbishop of the Archangel Diocese

Headquartered in Weatherly, Pennsylvania, His Beatitude, Archbishop Alexios has devoted his ministry to the preservation of authentic Orthodox ecclesial life in the diaspora. His leadership is marked by:

  • Fidelity to the patristic and canonical tradition

  • Commitment to the integrity of the liturgical year

  • Pastoral care for clergy and faithful

  • Theological clarity in times of ecclesial confusion

  • Strengthening Orthodox communities through teaching, writing, and charitable work

Archbishop Alexios has authored numerous pastoral letters addressing theological, liturgical, and pastoral issues facing the contemporary Orthodox world. His writings reflect a consistent dedication to the continuity of Holy Tradition and the spiritual well‑being of the flock entrusted to his care.

Most Reverend Archbishop Philip

Founder and Elder Hierarch of the Archangel Diocese

Archbishop Philip was ordained to the episcopacy in February 1977 in Los Angeles, California. In 1986, he relocated to the East Coast, continuing his pastoral ministry while working in New York City. He founded and built the Chapel of the Archangels in Weatherly, Pennsylvania, which remains a spiritual center of the Archangel Diocese.

His contributions include:

  • Founding the Chapel of the Archangels

  • Publishing The Voice, an Old Calendar Orthodox periodical (12 volumes, 66 issues)

  • Serving as Chairman of the Board for Helping Hands Food Pantry, overseeing 28 food pantries in Carbon County

  • Decades of pastoral, missionary, and administrative leadership

  • Celebrating his 50th year of episcopal service

  • Defending the Old Calendar Orthodox tradition

  • Fidelity to the patristic and canonical heritage

  • Commitment to the integrity of the liturgical year

  • Pastoral care for clergy and faithful

  • Theological clarity in times of ecclesial confusion

Archbishop Philip’s legacy continues to shape the life and mission of the Archangel Diocese.

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