United Orthodox-Catholic Church

08/31/2026

Today, the Western Rite Calendar commemorates Saint Joseph of Arimathea, the faithful disciple who courageously came forward after the Crucifixion to care for the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel tells us that Joseph, a respected member of the council and a secret disciple of Christ, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. He then lovingly wrapped Him in fine linen and placed Him in a new tomb.

Joseph reminds us that discipleship sometimes calls for courage when others are afraid, compassion when hope seems lost, and faithfulness when the world appears to have turned away from Christ.

May Saint Joseph of Arimathea intercede for us, that we may have the courage to stand beside Christ in every circumstance, to honor the dignity of every person, and to faithfully serve even when our service receives no recognition.

Saint Joseph of Arimathea, pray for us!

08/31/2026

Holy Synod Announces Ecclesiastical Appointments
of the United Orthodox-Catholic Church

The Chancellor of the United Orthodox-Catholic Church joyfully announces that the Holy Synod has approved the appointments of clergy for ecclesiastical territories throughout the Americas.

This reflects the continued growth of the Church and the need to strengthen pastoral leadership, improve regional coordination, and ensure that each community receives effective spiritual oversight. Following the retirement of His Beatitude, Elder Metropolitan Carl Gregory, the Holy Synod has undertaken this process of ecclesiastical appointments to meet the present and future needs of the Church.

His Beatitude, Major Archbishop Nicholas Anthony, shared:
“The Church is a living body, and as our mission expands, our structures must faithfully serve that mission. These appointments strengthen our ability to provide pastoral care, support our clergy and communities, and proclaim the Gospel throughout the Americas. We give thanks for all who have faithfully served the Church and look forward with hope to the work God continues to place before us.”

The approved announcements include:

-The Midwestern Vicariate of Our Lady of Guadalupe has merged with the Vicariate of Saint Scholastica under the leadership of Bishop Don Pratt, OSFC

-Texas and Puerto Rico have been transferred to the Vicariate of Saint Dominic of All Mexico.

-The Very Reverend Archimandrite Matthew Christopher Kennedy has been appointed Vicar Apostolic of the Western Vicariate of John Maximovich, and the Orthodox Vicariate of Mary-the-Apostle, following the retirement Elder Metropolitan Carl Gregory.

-The Very Reverend Protopresbyter Elijah Seraphim McAlister has been appointed Vicar Apostolic of the Southern Vicariate of Saint Joseph.

All vicariates with vacant episcopal Vicar and without an appointed bishop will be administered pro tempore by His Beatitude, Major Archbishop Nicholas Anthony until permanent appointments are made.

This is issued under the authority of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the United Orthodox-Catholic Church

Given on the Feast of Saint James the Deacon

“One Faith • One Church • One Mission”

08/15/2026

Today, the United Orthodox-Catholic Church joyfully celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, also known in the Eastern tradition as the Dormition of the Mother of God. In both East and West, the Church honors the Mother of God and proclaims the mystery of her being received into the fullness of life with her Son, Jesus Christ.

We remember the Mother of God who, having faithfully received Christ into her womb and offered her whole life to God, was received by her Son into the fullness of life. Her Dormition is not a celebration of death, but a proclamation of the hope of resurrection: that in Christ, death does not have the final word.

Mary stands as an icon of faithful discipleship. In her, we see the human person saying yes to God, trusting His promise, carrying Christ into the world, and remaining steadfast at the foot of the Cross.

On this holy feast, may we ask the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, that we may likewise receive Christ into our lives, remain faithful through suffering, and look with hope toward the resurrection and the life of the world to come.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

08/14/2026

Holy Synod Announces Retirement of Elder Metropolitan Carl Gregory

With gratitude and deep appreciation for his many years of faithful ministry, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the United Orthodox-Catholic Church announces that His Eminence, Elder Metropolitan Archbishop Carl Gregory, OSB, GCP, has requested retirement for reasons of health. His Beatitude, Major Archbishop Nicholas Anthony, has prayerfully accepted and granted his request, effective immediately.

Metropolitan Carl’s ministry has been marked by healing, ecumenism, Christian unity, wisdom, and a deep commitment to bringing people together. He served parishes in Northern Virginia and held leadership roles in several jurisdictions.

For more than thirty years, he has also been a trusted mentor and dear friend of Major Archbishop Nicholas Anthony. He served as co-consecrator for both Major Archbishop Nicholas Anthony and Bishop Don Pratt.

During his years among us, he served as Metropolitan Archbishop of the Orthodox Vicariate of Mary-the-Apostle, Bishops’ Representative to the Leadership Council, National Church representative to the International Council of Community Churches, and Abbot of the Contemporary Benedictines of Peace.

We offer our profound gratitude for his friendship, pastoral heart, faithful service, and contributions to the life of our Church.

Though stepping away from active leadership, Metropolitan Carl remains deeply loved and cherished. May this new season bring him rest, healing, peace, and the assurance of our lasting gratitude.

Given on the Feast of the Prophet Micah
August 14, 2026

One Faith • One Church • One Mission

08/12/2026

PRAYING FOR COLOMBIA

We call upon the clergy, religious, and faithful of the United Orthodox Catholic Church to join us in prayer for the people of Colombia following the earthquake that has shaken their communities.

In moments when the earth itself seems uncertain beneath our feet, we hold fast to the promise of God:

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken.”
— Isaiah 54:10

We pray especially for all who have lost homes, possessions, livelihoods, and the familiar places that gave them security. We pray for those who are frightened and uncertain, for those who have been injured, and for everyone working to bring help and hope to those in need.

Let us pray:

Merciful and loving God,
draw near to the people of Colombia in this time of fear and loss. Shelter those who have been displaced, comfort those who mourn, bring healing to the injured, and strengthen all who are responding with courage and compassion.

Where so much has been shaken, remind your people that your love remains steadfast and your mercy never fails.

Most Holy Theotokos, Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of Mercy, spread your protecting mantle over the people of Colombia. Intercede for those who suffer and lead them ever closer to the consolation and peace of your Son.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our brothers and sisters in Colombia, you are in our hearts and in our prayers.

08/12/2026

ORANDO POR COLOMBIA

Hacemos un llamado al clero, a los religiosos y a todos los fieles de la Iglesia Católica Ortodoxa Unida para que se unan a nosotros en oración por el pueblo de Colombia tras el terremoto que ha sacudido sus comunidades.

En momentos en que incluso la tierra parece incierta bajo nuestros pies, nos aferramos a la promesa de Dios:
«Aunque los montes se retiren y las colinas se tambaleen, mi amor por ti no se apartará.»
— Isaías 54:10

Oramos especialmente por todos aquellos que han perdido sus hogares, sus pertenencias, sus medios de vida y los lugares familiares que les brindaban seguridad. Oramos por quienes sienten miedo e incertidumbre, por los heridos y por todos aquellos que trabajan para llevar ayuda y esperanza a quienes más lo necesitan.

Oremos:

Dios misericordioso y amoroso,
acércate al pueblo de Colombia en este momento de temor y pérdida. Protege a quienes han sido desplazados, consuela a quienes lloran, concede sanación a los heridos y fortalece a todos los que están respondiendo con valentía y compasión.

Cuando tantas cosas han sido sacudidas, recuerda a tu pueblo que tu amor permanece firme y que tu misericordia nunca falla.

Santísima Theotokos, Bienaventurada Virgen María, Madre de Dios y Madre de Misericordia, extiende tu manto protector sobre el pueblo de Colombia. Intercede por todos los que sufren y condúcelos siempre hacia el consuelo y la paz de tu Hijo.

Por Cristo nuestro Señor. Amén.

Hermanos y hermanas de Colombia, están en nuestros corazones y en nuestras oraciones.

08/06/2026

Today, the Church rejoices in the glorious Feast of the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord.

On Mount Tabor, Christ revealed His divine glory before His disciples. His face shone like the sun, His garments became dazzling white, and the voice of the Father proclaimed: “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.” (Matthew 17:5)

The Transfiguration is not merely a revelation of who Jesus is—it is also a revelation of who we are called to become. In Christ, humanity is invited into transformation, not by abandoning our humanity, but by allowing it to be filled with the grace and light of God. The same uncreated light that shone from Christ is the light that calls every person toward holiness, compassion, justice, and love.

As the United Orthodox-Catholic Church, we celebrate this feast as a reminder that the Gospel is one of transformation. Christ does not call us to fear one another or to build walls of exclusion. He calls us to ascend the mountain with Him, to behold His glory, and then to descend into the world carrying that light to all people.

In the spirit of our mission of Traditionally Inclusive Orthodoxy™, we affirm that every person is invited into the radiant love of Christ. The Transfiguration reminds us that God’s grace is not limited by human divisions, but shines upon all creation, calling us to become living icons of His mercy and peace.

May this holy feast renew our hearts, strengthen our faith, and inspire us to reflect the light of Christ in our homes, our communities, and throughout the world.

O Christ our God, You were transfigured on the mountain, revealing Your glory to Your disciples as they were able to bear it. Shine also upon us sinners with the light of Your countenance, through the prayers of the Theotokos. Glory to You forever!

Blessed Feast of the Holy Transfiguration!

08/02/2026

One Gospel, One Christ, One Church!

Today, the Church is invited to contemplate two Gospel readings that, while following different lectionary traditions, reveal the same divine mystery, the compassionate presence of Christ who meets humanity in the midst of our hunger, our fears, and our storms.

In the Eastern Rite Gospel Reading from Matthew 14:22–34, we encounter Christ walking upon the waters, calling Peter beyond the safety of the boat and revealing that faith is found not in the absence of storms, but in the presence of the One who commands the waves. The disciples proclaim: “Truly You are the Son of God.”

In the Western Rite Gospel Reading from Matthew 14:13–21, we encounter Christ feeding the multitude—the Bread of Life who sees the hungry, blesses what is offered, and transforms scarcity into abundance. The miracle of the loaves and fishes points us toward the Eucharistic mystery: Christ gives Himself so that all may be nourished.

These two passages are not separate stories; they are two movements of the same Gospel symphony.

The Eastern tradition often invites us to contemplate the mystery of Christ’s divinity revealed in glory, the transformation of creation, and the journey of the soul toward union with God. The Western tradition often draws us into the compassion of Christ manifested through service, charity, and the breaking of bread with the world.

Yet both proclaim the same truth:

The Christ who calms the storm is the Christ who feeds the hungry.

The Christ who reveals His glory is the Christ who gives Himself away.

The Christ who walks upon the waters is the Christ who is present in the Eucharistic breaking of bread.

The Church’s ancient Rites are not competing expressions of faith, but different windows through which we behold the same Light. Like the disciples gathered around the same Lord, we are called from different boats, different cultures, and different traditions into one communion of love.

May we continue to discover the beauty of both the Eastern and Western expressions of the Christian faith, recognizing that the fullness of Christ cannot be contained by one language, one culture, or one tradition alone.

“That they all may be one.” — John 17:21

07/29/2026

https://orthodoxcatholics.org/news/church-establishes-the-vicariate-of-saint-dominic-de-guzman-of-all-mexico

The new vicariate strengthens the mission, pastoral care, and growing presence of the UOCC throughout Mexico.