About the Diocese of Phoenix

Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church of America (HOCACA)

The Diocese of Phoenix was established in October of 2024 as part of the Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church of America (HOCACA). Our mission is to uphold the unchanging truths of the Apostolic Church and offer a place of refuge for those seeking authentic faith in today’s complex spiritual landscape. While our diocesan boundaries remain flexible, we are committed to planting and nurturing Orthodox communities wherever God calls us.

At the time of our formation, the Diocese included:

• St. Nicholas Orthodox Church – A growing parish in Avondale, AZ, under the leadership of Bishop Michael Callahan, the Diocesan Bishop of Phoenix.

• Our Lady of Guadalupe Orthodox Mission – A new mission beginning in Palmdale, CA. This fledgling Spanish speaking community has been on hold for a while due to health related issuse of it's pastor, Fr. Pedro Sanchez. Their mission is to spread the light of Orthodox Christianity in Southern California.

• St. Leo the Great Orthodox Mission – A faithful community in Gray Summit, MO, cultivating Western Orthodoxy in the heart of the Midwest under the pastoral care of Fr. Jim Carter.

Our Vision and Mission

The Diocese of Phoenix is grounded in Christian First Principles—the unchanging truths entrusted by Christ to His Apostles and preserved through the Church Fathers. Bishop Callahan’s charism is to uphold the Authentic Faith and facilitate ministries wherever he is called throughout the continental United States.

At the heart of our mission is the conviction that salvation is found through the Sacramental life, especially the Eucharist (John 6:53), Chrismation, and Confession. These means of grace unite believers with God and guide them along the narrow path to salvation. In an age when many churches have compromised the Gospel to align with social trends, we remain a faithful remnant, committed to safeguarding the Apostolic Faith and ensuring it is passed on unaltered to future generations.

A Refuge for the Disenfranchised

We understand that many believers feel disenfranchised by churches that have adopted modern political ideologies at the expense of historic Christian truths. For those who feel spiritually displaced, the Diocese of Phoenix offers a place of refuge and renewal. Here, believers can rediscover the fullness of Orthodox Christianity, free from the pressures to conform to the changing currents of modern culture.

If your spiritual journey has been disrupted by churches that prioritize political correctness or cultural conformity over the truth of the Gospel, you are welcome here. We invite you to experience the richness of Orthodox faith, deeply rooted in the teachings of the Apostles and sustained by God’s grace.

Who We Are

As part of the Western Orthodox tradition, we embody the Apostolic Faith within a Western liturgical framework. For us, Orthodoxy is more than “smells, bells, and iconography”— it is a life of communion with Christ through the Sacraments, prayer, and repentance. Our communities seek to nurture believers in their walk with God, providing a space for genuine spiritual growth and transformation through the grace of Christ.

We are committed to preserving the unchanging truths of the Ancient Church, ensuring that the faith entrusted to the Apostles remains available to those who seek it. Our ministry is dedicated to planting new communities, nurturing existing ones, and guiding all who seek to walk the narrow path that leads to salvation.

Invitation to Dialogue and Ministry

Whether you are searching for a new church home or exploring the richness of Orthodox Christianity, we warmly invite you to journey with us. Bishop Michael Callahan is available for conversation with anyone interested in learning more about Western Orthodoxy, Christian First Principles, or the Sacramental life. His mission compels him to facilitate ministries across the continental United States, planting missions and supporting communities wherever he is called.

We also extend a special invitation to Orthodox-believing clergy who are discerning a new path of service. If you share our passion for bringing the Authentic Christian Faith to your community and are seeking a place where ancient truth is preserved and lived, we encourage you to reach out. We welcome conversations about incardination and partnering to further the mission of Orthodox Christianity in today’s world.

For more information or to visit one of our parishes, please contact St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Avondale, AZ. May the grace and peace of God guide you as you seek truth, faith, and service in Christ.