Rooted in the East. Open to the world.

A living tradition of prayer, beauty, and service in the Byzantine Christian heritage.

Our Mission

Working toward unity, East and West.

We pray for a Church in which Christians can know one another more deeply and seek reconciliation in truth and charity.

Inspired by our church's account of Cardinal Josyf Slipyj's efforts to bring Ukrainian Catholics and Ukrainian Orthodox together, we seek conversation, shared learning, and friendship across divided communities. We recognize that lasting ecclesial communion depends on the churches involved and cannot be declared by one community alone.

Josyf Cardinal Slipyj — Patriarch of Kyiv

A bridge of encounter between Rome and the Phanar

In our church's understanding of Cardinal Slipyj's vision, the encounter of Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox Christians points toward a larger hope: closer understanding between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox churches. We seek to be a bridge of encounter through prayer, knowledge of both traditions, and friendships among clergy and faithful. The Phanar, the historic seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Rome have their own ongoing dialogue; we do not speak for either of them or claim a formal place in their discussions.

Our part is modest and local. When neighbors learn one another's liturgy and spiritual life, listen honestly, and work together with respect for each church's freedom, they can help create the trust in which reconciliation may grow. We offer that service as a hope and a prayer, leaving decisions about communion to the churches and their leaders.

Pope John Paul II & Josyf Cardinal Slipyj

“John Paul II spoke of the Church breathing with ‘two lungs,’ East and West, and called Christians to ecumenical dialogue in Ut Unum Sint.”

His words encourage us to learn the treasures of both traditions and to approach their differences with honesty and humility.

One of our bishops is married. His experience as a husband, father, and pastor may contribute to conversations about family life and Christian ministry. We offer that perspective for respectful dialogue, mindful that Catholic and Orthodox churches maintain their own episcopal disciplines. Our hope is to serve the work of unity through prayer, pastoral care, and patient relationships.

Archbishop Amvrosij (Ambrose Moran) guided the jurisdiction in the Americas, carrying forward the vision of Josyf Cardinal Slipyj.

Official Declaration

East and West: Who We Are

To our brothers and sisters in Christ:

Our jurisdiction exists to serve Jesus Christ and to work toward unity among Christians, especially those who share the Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox traditions.

According to our jurisdiction's historical account, Josyf Cardinal Slipyj established this self-governing Church with papal privilege, intending to bring Ukrainian Catholics and Ukrainian Orthodox Christians together. That account records that Cardinal Slipyj consecrated Archbishop +Amvrosij as Coadjutor Archbishop and entrusted him with leadership of this mission among the Ukrainian diaspora in America.

We describe our jurisdiction as sui iuris and autocephalous: a Church governed by its own hierarchy and ecclesiastical discipline. We understand our vocation as both Catholic and Orthodox, preserving the spiritual inheritance of these traditions while seeking reconciliation, mutual understanding, and faithful service.

We are an independent jurisdiction and are not presently in communion with Rome. We are also self-governing rather than part of the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Our commitment to Christian unity expresses the mission we pursue and the relationships we hope to deepen.

Our ecclesiastical records describe episcopal succession, historical acknowledgments, and relationships involving hierarchs associated with several Orthodox patriarchates. These records form part of our understanding of our heritage. Historical recognition, personal blessings, and occasions of concelebration should be understood in their particular contexts, with supporting documents available for examination.

We honor the Catholic and Orthodox Churches and seek respectful dialogue with their hierarchs, clergy, and faithful. Our mission is best expressed through prayer, truthful communication, compassionate ministry, and a willingness to listen.

We welcome Christians who wish to learn about our Church, worship with us, and share in our work of service. We seek to make the richness of Eastern Christianity accessible while encouraging friendship between East and West.

Our prayer is the prayer of Christ: “That they may all be one” (John 17:21).

His Beatitude

Metropolitan Archbishop Michael Wiest

Primate & Metropolitan Archbishop

“Rooted in the East, open to the world — bearing witness to the ancient faith in a new age.”