Welcome to the OCANA

The Orthodox Catholic Archdiocese of North America

Western Rite Archdiocese of North America.

We belong to the West Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, staying true to the Western Rite. The Orthodox Catholic Archdiocese of North America (OCANA) is a canonical jurisdiction under the sacred authority of the Patriarchate of Antioch. Rooted in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church founded by our Lord Jesus Christ, we stand as an expression of the ancient Orthodox faith preserved through the Apostolic Tradition and Succession.

Our clergy: bishops, priests, and deacons are canonically and validly ordained within the unbroken Apostolic succession. We are fully Orthodox and fully Apostolic, committed to the life and faith of the undivided Church. With fervent prayer and hope, we long for the unity that Christ Himself implored in His high priestly prayer: “that they all may be one” (John 17:21). We await the restoration of that unity, not necessarily through uniformity, but through communion in faith, love, and truth as lived by the early Church.

Our Church comprises both traditional and progressive parishes, each united by a commitment to the sacred mysteries, the holy canons, and the love of Christ. In some of our parishes, the faithful may encounter the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Western Rite, including the Tridentine Mass in Latin, with the priest and congregation oriented toward the Holy Altar, and communicants receiving the Most Holy Eucharist on the tongue.

Our mission is grounded in the Gospel mandate to love unconditionally, extending compassion and dignity to the outcast and the marginalized, just as our Lord Jesus Christ did. Though incorporated legally as a Church body, we do not consider ourselves merely another denomination, but a post-conciliar fellowship within the Orthodox tradition, faithfully witnessing to the timeless truth of the Gospel in the modern world.

In some of our parishes, one may encounter the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Novus Ordo form, closely resembling that which is commonly experienced in many Roman Catholic communities. In others, the faithful may gather around the Holy Altar with a commissioned lay leader or ordained deacon, in a setting marked by intimate fellowship, reverent devotion, and inclusive language that reflects the pastoral needs of the people of God.

What unites us as the Western Rite Archdiocese under the West Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch is our unwavering fidelity to the Orthodox faith, our discipleship in Christ, and our deep love for the Holy Eucharist, which we cherish as the very heart of our Christian life. We are bound together by a shared commitment to walk the way of the Gospel, to serve the poor, the forgotten, and those cast aside by the world, and to cultivate the rich spiritual tradition we hold sacred.

The OCANA is open to ecumenical dialogue and communion, maintaining the Orthodox faith while building respectful relationships with sister churches. We welcome Roman Catholics, Old Catholics, Independent Catholics, Anglican Catholics, and those from other ecclesial communities who share in the desire for Apostolic faith and sacramental life. Our aim is not to draw Christians away from their spiritual homes but to minister to those who, for various reasons, have become estranged or excluded from the sacramental life of the Church.

To such souls, we offer the mercy of Christ, the grace of the Sacraments, and the assurance of God’s unconditional love. We believe that the Eucharist is not merely a reward for the holy, but a means of grace and a pathway to sanctity. While our liturgical expressions may be ecumenical and pastorally inclusive, we remain steadfast