Orthodox Patriarchate of Pietermaritzburg and all the States of the East
Orthodox Patriarchate of pietermaritzburg and all the States of the East of the jurisdiction of the Autocephalous Greek international Orthodox Christian Church Canonical[edit]
| Autocephalous Greek International Orthodox Christian Church--Canonical of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Pietermaritzburg and all the States of the East | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Classification | Eastern Orthodox |
| Orientation | Greek Orthodoxy |
| Theology | Othodox Dogmatic Theology |
| Polity | Episcopal polity |
| Governance | legislation |
| Structure | hierarchical |
| Patriarch | Christopher Michael Maier |
| Primate | Chrysostomos II |
| Director | Christopher M Maier |
| Bishops | 324 |
| Monasteries | 67 |
| Region | middle East and Western |
| Language | Koine Greek |
| Headquarters | Birmingham Pietermaritzburg |
| Territory | South Africa, worldAmericaCanadaPhilippines |
| Founder | Mark the Evangelist the Apostle |
| Origin | 1812 Alexandria |
| Independence | AD 1922AD |
| Recognition | AD 1943AD (Byzantine Empire) |
| Separations | Greek Orthodox Church (1922) |
| Members | 15400012 |
| Ministers | 873 |
| Missionaries | 234 |
| Church buildings | 123434 |
| Hospitals | 4 |
| Nursing homes | 5 |
| Aid organization | 30 |
| Primary schools | 2 |
| Secondary schools | 2 |
| Tax status | 3 |
| Official website | https://Patriarchateofpietermßritzburg.org |
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The Orthodox Patriarchate of Pietermaritzburg and all the States of the East broke from the Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria in 891 AD. The Patriarchate and Holy Synod of Bishops split with Bishop Luke Harris and 78 Bishops who founded this Orthodox Patriarchate in 891 AD, of which he became the First Patriarch of all the African Bishops elected him in 1986. The Second was Chrysostom 11 Alexandros from 1991 to 2017, until his passing. On Sept 2017 Francis Christopher Michael Maier became Metropolitan Archbishop until the Present.
Autocephalous Greek International Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America, Canada and Philippines[edit]
- The Patriarch of this jurisdiction is Archbishop Francis C Michael Maier since elected in 2017. Conjunctor Francis Christopher Maier was acting Patriarch until September 2017 but on July 2019 his coronation took place in Washington DC where he gave president Trump a Honorary Doctorate Degree of Divinity and a Official Ambassador certificate for the Orthodox Church. Their we're three Patriarchs that have done Conjunctor Francis Christopher Crowning like Patriarch Mar Mikhael Michael C Foster of the Saint Thomas Orthodox Christian of the East. The Orthodox Catholic Byzantine Church. Worldwide Inter-communion Luiz Martins
Autocephalous Greek International Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America, Canada and Philippines[edit]
Metropolitan Francis Christopher Michael Maier was consecrated Archbishop of Birmingham and Metropolitan Primate of America, Canada and Philippines in Monastery of Saint Nicolas the Worker of South Africa 40 Kilometers outside Pietermaritzburg in 2017. Francis Christopher Michael Maier officially inaugurated his Archdiocese in America in July 9, 2018 with Father Mark Harris, which prior to that time was a Mission in America. Father Mark Harris was Francis Christopher's Archdeacon and personal assist to the Archbishop. Father Mark Stephen Harris' life was short lived, having passed away at the age of 55 on July 19, 2018. Francis Christopher Michael Maier was ordained by the Anglican Catholic Church of South India to the Diaconate in January of 2007. On July 17, 2008 he became a Priest and on Feb 10, 2010 was Consecrated a Bishop. As a Western Orthodox Bishop, Francis Christopher started the Antiochian Orthodox Mission in the United States. The following year he went to Africa on mission and met Patriarch Chrysostom 11 Alexandros. After learning more about the Orthodox Church, he Joined the Autocephalous Greek International Orthodox Christian Church Canonical of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Pietermaritzburg and all the States of the East and has been with them since. He then started the Western Rite within this Jurisdiction in the same manner as ROCOR and the Antiochian Orthodox Churches. The Western Vicarate of the WRAGIOC has been making great progress under Metropolitan Francis who continues to teach the Jurisdiction how to celebrate the Saint Gregory and Saint Tikhon's Divine Liturgy or as the Western Rite calls it 'The Mass' The Archdiocese of America< Canada and Philippines is based out of Birmingham Alabama address 608 Oakmoor Drive Homewood 35209. Saint Mark's Orthodox Church and Monastery also Holy Synod office. Thing are still progressing slow for the Archdiocese but it seems to plan and stick it out and make things work Metropolitan Francis Christopher Michael Maier its fighting the good fight and making sure that all Orthodox Churches underneath his jurisdiction are doing they are suppose to be doing and make sure that they can finacally can support there churches and help support the archdiocese as a whole for it is much needed for mission work and helping the children all around the word. Now that the Metropolitan has opened a college and seminary within his jurisdiction he can start training and motivating and showing them how do it personal as well showing how you can do all things in all walks of life and be in Gods Good graces. It the Metropolitans job to oversee everyone so the report can be done either you would pass or not.
Archdiocese of South Africa of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Pietermaritzburg and all the States of the East[edit]
The Archdiocese of Pietermaritzburg is overseen by Metropolitan Archbishop and Exarch of all Africa is Patrick Mkhize from South Africa and lives of Pietermaritzburg. Patrick Mkhize was the Patriarchate of the African Orthodox Church and has known Patriarch Chrysostom 11 Alexandros for many years but near the end of 2017 he was dyeing of cancer and there was no thing they could do for it was colon cancer and it was fast moving but he was to make sure that in Sept of 2017 he only called a few of his Bishop's and decided in the end Metropolitan Archbishop Francis Christopher Michael Maier would lead the church until they has a Holy Synod of Bishops Meeting but Metropolitan Francis Christopher tried to decline the position for he felt to young. he wanted Metropolitan and Exarch of all Africa to take such position but he has declined for certain reasons unknown and said he would assist Metropolitan Francis Christopher until the time has come. It's now April 18, 2019 and they have discuss certain facts and we will find out with in the next few weeks what's going on with the Orthodox Jurisdiction for there leading Bishop and who it is going to be leading the congregation as the shepherd for the Church,
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Pietermaritzburg of all the States of the East has done Inter-communion with Canonical Bishops with the Churches[edit]
The Orthodox Patriarchate of Pietermaritzburg and all the States of the East is an Autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Apostolic and Canonical Church of the East, which also has intercommunion with Syro-Chaldean Antiochian, Order of Saint Thomas Orthodox Church of the East: The Order of Saint Thomas Orthodox Church of the East and Patriarch Mar Mikhael, Michael C Foster, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Order of Saint Thomas Orthodox Church of the East and Saint Thomas Orthodox Church of the East. Metropolitan Archbishop Francis Christopher Michael Maier and Metropolitan Archbishop Mar Mikhael Michael C Foster see the numerous problems with the mainstream Churches of the East and the West and have decided to work together to help resolve many of these contemporary issues by forming a new body of Orthodox Bishop's of the Greater North America, Canada and Philippines for independent (autocephalous) churches and bishops that have valid apostolic lines of succession, for which all documentation must be validated. The Greek International Orthodox Christian Church based out of Africa has moved it Holy Synod from Africa temporarily to America because of the passing of Patriarch Chrysostom 11 Alexandros. Metropolitan Francis Christopher currently holds the position of Metropolitan Archbishop. Metropolitan Archbishop Patrick Mkhize of South Africa is the Exarch for Southern Africa. The Metropolitans of the Orthodox Patriarchate, Archbishops and Bishops have decided that some of the Canons Laws are outdated and irrelevant, are in the process of being re-written or dismissed. Many are not contemporary and others should never have been changed for example, Canon 5 of the Holy Apostles also called the 'Rudder' states that "no Bishop, Presbyter, or Deacon shall put their wife under the pretext of religion or they shall be excommunicated, and if they persist let them be deposed". This was removed, allowing Bishop's to marry. The reason for this change and others, was because they are either the result of human error and judgement, are outdated, or are lacking a sound scriptural basis. This is just one example of the Canons that are being updated to reflect their original intention. The Holy Synod of Bishops is now operating out of Birmingham Alabama because the Monastery of Saint Nicolas is currently vacant due to the death of Patriarch Chrysostom. For the benefit of the Church as a whole, Metropolitan Francis Christopher Michael Maier has made the decision not to relocate to the monastic community outside of Pietermaritzburg. Metropolitan Francis Christopher Michael Maier was elected Metropolitan Archbishop of the Church in 2017 at the request of Patriarch Chrysostom 11, who believed Metropolitan Archbishop Francis Christopher to be the most qualified to take this position. Metropolitan Archbishop and Exarch Patrick Mkhize of South Africa, originally a Patriarchate of the African Orthodox Church, has been pleased to be side by side with and working with Metropolitan Francis Christopher Michael Maier.
Episcopate Orthodox Church of Pietermaritzburg and all the States of the East of the Ancient Holy See of Bishops[edit]
Saint Mark's Orthodox College and Seminary[edit]
Administrators at Saint Mark's Orthodox College and Seminary Are Archbishop of Birmingham Alabama Francis Christopher Michael Maier who has a Th.D. which is a Doctor of Theology and a Doctor in Divinity D.D. he is also the Director and head administrator for Saint Mark's Orthodox College and Seminary in Plymouth Indiana. Father Abbott Thomas Walker is the Dean of Students and the Monastery of Holy Martyrs which is where the College and Seminary is a beautiful Chapel which Archbishop Francis Christopher Michael Maier has just built himself for everyone should have a perfect place to pray and be at peace in which they will get when they come. Mar Mikhael, Michael C Foster, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Order of Saint Thomas Church of the East and Saint Thomas Orthodox Church of the East is also a administrator of the college and seminary. The Facility is a old Church on about a 3/4 acre lot its a old a frame Church very high ceilings a beautiful church the Iconostasis Metropolitan has built came out very beautiful and is ready for divine liturgy for the new seminarians are really going to love what has been done with the chapel. The sanctuary is beautiful and quiet for priests or the Abbott of Monk who ever want please come see and your love it. The Archbishop is fixing the Down stares now to make more sleeping room for such seminarians that will be coming in and joining the college and seminary. There will be off grounds living for certain number of living because it's a small facility but for there first school it's really taken off. There will be online courses of the students that don't live here they will have an opportunity to get a degree at a distance which makes things much easier from home sometimes.
Eastern and Western Rites[edit]
The Autocephalous Greek International Orthodox Christian Church Canonical celebrates both Eastern and Western Rite Divine Liturgy or Mass. They have chosen to use the Antiochian Saint Andrews Orthodox Western Rite Service Book and the Saint Gregory and Saint Tikhon's Services. For Eastern Rite the Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Basil the Great liturgies are used. For Eastern Rite, the Prayer book used is the 'Red' Antiochian Prayer Book. The Western Rite Prayer book is the 1923 Common Prayer book for the Anglican Catholic Church, used because of its more Orthodox Style and language.
Western Rite Vicarate[edit]
The Western Rite Vicarate was started when Metropolitan Archbishop Francis Christopher Michael Maier had his coronation into the Autocephalous Greek International Orthodox Church Canonical. When this took place he has came over from the Anglican Catholic Church from South India and was use to doing Western Rite traditional Mass. Metropolitan Francis Christopher has started the Western Rite in the United States for his Jurisdiction and its called WRAGIOC which means Western Rite Autocephalous Greek International Orthodox Christian Church Canonical. They use the Saint Andrews service book for clergy edition certain things as the Divine Liturgy from the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America. The Liturgy they use is Saint Gregory and Saint Tikhon services for the western rite within there missions and churches in the United States, Canada and Philippines. Francis Christopher is now teaching the Archdioceses over in Africa how to do the Divine Liturgy or as western rite call it Mass.
