A Compassionate Reflection on the Issue of Orthodox Canonicity

Dear friends in Christ,

We’ve received a familiar critique recently: “With which canonical Orthodox Churches are you in communion?” This question is often posed as a way to assess legitimacy, but I believe it reflects a misunderstanding of what true canonicity and Orthodox unity are meant to embody.

From our perspective in the Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church of America (HOCCA), the truest form of canonicity lies in maintaining authentic Apostolic Succession—a succession rooted not only in the proper laying on of hands but also in faithfulness to Orthodox teaching. The early Church understood that the validity of succession requires both lineage and correct doctrine, a principle upheld by saints like St. Irenaeus and St. Athanasius.

It’s important to remember that succession without faithfulness to Apostolic truth is spiritually problematic, even if recognized by others. Throughout Church history, we see examples—such as the struggles against the Arian heresy—where bishops with valid succession fell into error, disrupting the unity of the faith. The Orthodox Church’s unity has always been based on truth, sacraments, and the teachings of the Apostles, not merely on administrative or political recognition. While we at HOCCA cherish relationships with other Orthodox bodies, we do not see modern canonicity as the ultimate standard. Our priority is to preserve the Apostolic faith and valid sacraments handed down from the earliest days of the Church.

True Orthodoxy cannot be reduced to organizational alignment—it must be lived through faithful worship, correct teaching, and sacramental life.

As the bishop of Phoenix, I understand that this topic can generate strong feelings, but I want to extend a hand of compassion to anyone who struggles with these questions. The Church's mission is to guide souls to salvation, not to divide them over jurisdictional disputes. We walk the narrow path together, striving for truth and love, even in the face of misunderstanding.Let us remember the words of St. Cyprian of Carthage, who taught that the Church is one, unified through faith and the sacraments. Canonicity is not an end in itself but a means of ensuring that we remain faithful to what the Apostles handed down. This faithfulness is our focus and will remain so as we continue to serve the Lord and one another.

I invite all who have questions or concerns to reach out. Let's engage in loving dialogue, united by our shared desire to follow Christ and preserve the faith that saves.

Yours in Christ,

+Michael Callahan
Diocesan Bishop of Phoenix,
Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church of America