Orthodoxy in America is divided between various “jurisdictions”. These include the OCA (Orthodox Church in America), Antiochian, Greek, Russian and other Orthodox Churches. According to Canon Law, there must be one bishop or Church in each place.
There are established Orthodox Churches in Russia, Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Rumania, Georgia and elsewhere. There is no reason why there should not be an American Church that unites all Orthodox in America. The Greek Archdiocese has become involved in international politics involving both the State Department and the governments of Greece and Turkey.
The Russians are involved with Russia. Here in America, we can begin to separate the spiritual from the political. Certainly, we can all be supportive of the old countries but the priority of the Church is to evangelize in accordance with the will of Jesus Christ. It really is past time to solve this problem.
At a time when international problems are growing and people are becoming fearful, the voice of God is needed to be heard. All Orthodox should focus on building a united Church in America that will free itself from the political problems afflicting the Churches in the mother lands. We are Orthodox Christians and we should focus now on spiritual matters rather than on factionalism and division.
A united Orthodox Church in America should have been established long ago. It is time for all Orthodox in America to temporarily put Constantinople and Moscow aside and focus on what is happening here. There are souls to be saved and a fight that is looming from the neo pagans and secularists.
Let us reflect. A united Church in America that is fully autocephalous would be in a better position to witness Orthodoxy in America and to help the Orthodox lands that are in so much turmoil and pain.