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History of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church
Official Website of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church and the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia
(also referred to as the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State) Please be advised: any website or entity not listed below, or any unauthorized use of the names, titles, or symbols associated with the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State, is unofficial and not affiliated with the legitimate and singular Roman-Ruthenian Church and State. Official Websites of the Church: www.statopontificio.org www.catholicate.org www.ilnunzioromano.org Official Websites of the Prince-Bishop: www.radislav.org www.rutherfordjohnson.com www.statopontificio.org/johnson-roma-rus The Roman-Ruthenian Church and State is the rightful temporal successor of St. Peter, carrying the historical and documented patrimony of Rome and Russia through St. Leo X, with full Orthodox and Catholic autocephalous authority — equal to the Vatican, Constantinople, and other Patriarchates.  WHO ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED ROMAN-RUTHENIAN CHURCH? Find out by following this link! Key readings about the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State. PRINCIPLE PATRONAL FEAST   The United Roman-Ruthenian Church: A Symbol of Unity and TraditionWhere Ancient Traditions Unite in HarmonyRead more about our vision, mission, and core values by following this link. The
United Roman-Ruthenian Church is a unique and diverse autocephalous
(independent) religious institution that brings together two distinct
Christian traditions – Orthodoxy
and Catholicism. This
unification
has not only fostered a sense of Christian brotherhood among
its
followers but has also created an environment where ancient traditions
and cultures coexist harmoniously.   New clerics being admitted to the clerical state through the administration of First Tonsure.  Above: Members of the Pontifical Court of Rome-Ruthenia, in a moment of Apostolic fraternity with the late Pope Francis of Rome. While the autocephalous United Roman-Ruthenian Church and the Vatican Church are distinct in canonical jurisdiction and doctrinal trajectory, they share, in their roots, the Apostolic inheritance of Peter. remains rooted in the same Apostolic flame, now carried forward by those called to preserve it. This moment underscores an historical moment that serves as visible witness to the unbroken spiritual lineage we uphold. Indeed, the United Roman-Ruthenian Church preserves its integrity where others have embraced innovation. In this sense, we are not ‘another church,’ but the continuation of the original one: faithful to the Apostles, independent in governance, and rooted in both Latin and Byzantine heritage. The URRC carries forward its Petrine mission, not by claim, but by providential inheritance, unbroken in substance. Read more here about the Roman-Ruthenian Papacy.
Origins of the ChurchThe origins of the
United
Roman-Ruthenian Church can be traced back to the very beginning of
Christianity; to Rome, to Byzantium, Syria, and India, and to
Eastern Europe. The result today is a distinct branch
of Christianity that is both Eastern and Latin, Orthodox and
Catholic. Follow this link to see the historical timeline of the Church.  A solemn procession.  St. Peter the Apostle vested as a Gallo-Russo-Byzantine Bishop.   Admission of a new cleric through the administration of First Tonsure. Preservation of Traditions and LiturgyOne of the notable aspects of this union is the preservation of both traditions within the liturgy. The United Roman-Ruthenian Church incorporates elements from Latin, Byzantine, and Syrian spirituality, ensuring that followers can engage with their faith in a way that is meaningful to them. The Eucharistic celebration, for example, includes elements such as incense, icons, and chant, which are essential components of Byzantine worship. By embracing elements from both traditions, this church offers a vibrant worship experience that resonates with people from diverse backgrounds.
Cultural DiversityWhat makes the United Roman-Ruthenian Church truly remarkable is that it allows for cultural diversity within its congregations, fostering a sense of belonging among its followers while acknowledging their distinct cultural backgrounds. By bringing together two different Christian traditions, the United Roman-Ruthenian Church promotes dialogue and understanding between various branches of Christianity. It serves as an example of how different traditions can come together in pursuit of a common goal - traditional worship and the timeless faith of the Holy Gospels.
The Church's commitment to unity extends beyond its services. It actively promotes interfaith dialogue, fostering understanding and respect among different religions. Through this outreach, the United Roman-Ruthenian Church has become a symbol of hope for those seeking peace and harmony in their communities.
Role in Preserving Cultural HeritageFurthermore, the Church plays an integral role in preserving cultural heritage. Its designs, traditions, and customs showcase stunning blends of Western European Gothic and Baroque influences with intricate Byzantine and Russian designs, creating awe-inspiring experiences. The Church's traditional art tells stories passed down through generations, connecting present-day worshippers with their ancestors' rich cultural tapestry.
Contributions to Global Christian UnityThe United Roman-Ruthenian Church stands as a testament to unity with diversity in an era of division. Through its incorporation of Latin, Byzantine, Eastern European, and Syrian traditions, it provides a space where followers can engage with their faith in a meaningful way. This union not only preserves the rich cultural heritage of its congregations but also promotes dialogue and understanding among different Christian traditions.With its rich history and unwavering commitment to faith, this church serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring countless individuals across generations.  At the consecration to the episcopate of H.E. the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Ryan Lozano, Bishop of the Southwest (2012-2013) For
those who seek solace in times of hardship or seek guidance on their
spiritual journey, the United Roman-Ruthenian Church offers steadfast
support. (Who are the people of the
Church? Find out here!) The members of its
clergy are known for their
compassion,
wisdom, and dedication to helping others navigate life's challenges. The
United Roman-Ruthenian Church's ability to bridge religious divides,
preserve cultural heritage, and provide spiritual guidance makes it a
cherished institution.
Read more about our vision, mission, and core values by following this link. Want to get involved? Email us here. Key readings about the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State. Or visit How to Join the Church. Historical and Canonical Legitimacy Read more here. Temporal Rights Read more here. Follow this link to learn about the Principal Symbols of the Church.  A seminarian kneels at the throne to take the oath of ordination. Modern Civil States with Ancient Heritage Perpetuated by the Pontifical Imperial State
Would you
like more detailed history?
Detailed History of the United Roman-Ruthenian ChurchThe
Holy Apostolic See of
Sts. Peter, Andrew, Stephen, and Mark (United Roman-Ruthenian Church) is an Apostolic
church of ancient origins and Orthodox and Catholic
heritage. The Church, today an
ethno-religious minority, is rooted in the ancient Apostolic Churches
of Rome, Constantinople, Syria, Russia, Alexandria, and Armenia and
represents a rare convergence of Apostolic faith and tradition that is
both Orthodox and Catholic, both Western and Eastern. Though the Church
stands on its own, it has received confirmation of its autocephalous
and canonical status from various ecclesiastical and secular
authorities over the years. (See also the legacy of the Independent Catholic Church
International, Anglican Diocese of the Southwest, and multinational
Orthodoxy.)
The church's historical temporal wing, the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia, is in hereditary descent from Rome and Russia and, like the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, in Apostolic Succession from Saints Peter, Andrew, Thomas, Thaddeus, and Bartholomew. It is ecclesial heir to the Roman Empire and Old Russian State. Through the Pontifical and Imperial Household and through the Merovingian Dynasty, protectors of the Gallican Rite of the Church, it descends from King David of Israel and King Solomon, ancestors of the Incarnate Jesus Christ. Today the United Roman-Ruthenian Church and Pontifical Imperial State constitute an ethno-religious nation without political territory and a state unto itself, representing people across multiple modern political countries.
EASTERN AND WESTERN HERITAGEThe United Roman-Ruthenian Church is among those few churches in the world that are privileged to branch in Apostolic succession from the Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Old Catholic, Melkite Catholic, Syrian Antiochian Orthodox, Syrian Malankara, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Uniate, Melkite (Greek) Catholic, and Chaldean (Babylonian/Iraqi) Catholic Churches. The most recent Patriarchs of ancient geographical Churches from which we descend are both from the 20th century: Sergei, Patriarch of Moscow (Russian Orthodox) and Yousef VI, Patriarch of Babylon (Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq). Part of our Roman succession is held in common with 95% the modern Vatican Church (Roman Communion) today, but the United Roman-Ruthenian Church also has much older lines as well, including the famous lines of Medici, Barberini, and Borghese. As a Church of united Apostolic heritage spanning East and West, it evokes memories of the Church before the Great Schism one thousand years ago and points to a Christian unity that often seems today like an elusive goal.
See also the Yugoslavian legacy of the Church. Roman Principate & Pontifical Roman State Pontifical Kingdom of Ruthenia Roman-Ruthenian Nobility Association Read more about our vision, mission, and core values by following this link.
A SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL
FORCE FOR PAN-SLAVIC ROMAN UNITY.
(DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE HOLY FATHERS HERE.) HOW IT ALL BEGANIts modern history began with the restoration of the Anglican Diocese of the Southwest in 2008. The diocese was originally a part of the "continuing Anglican" movement, but joined the orthodox and old catholic Apostolic tradition as part of the Apostolic Communion of Anglican Churches. The diocese is therefore considered the historic First Chair of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. Though of Roman-Syrian-Byzantine origins, the Apostolic See steadfastly keeps to the idea that all are welcome in Christ, whether Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, or any believer in Christ.
The active expression of our Roman heritage of Old Catholicism was brought to the forefront in 2011, and the Anglican Patriarchate was formally established and recognised the same year. In 2019, the Apostolic See of Saints Stephen and Mark was established through the joining of the See of St. Stephen (Coadjutorship of Rome) and the Anglo-Roman Metropolitan See of Aquileia, part of the Holy Roman Empire patrimony of the Church. Also in 2019, the United Roman-Ruthenian Church (under the name of its foundation at the time, the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church, Inc.) was admitted to special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Finally, the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox heritage of our identity was brought into the forefront starting in 2020 with Byzantine Roman customs, in 2021 with the re-establishment of the Gallican Rite (a tradition in France and Spain with origins in Greece and Antioch now centred in Argentina and affiliated with the Merovingian Dynasty), and finally with the newly-compiled Gallo-Russo-Byzantine and Anglican-Byzantine Rites the following year. In 2022, the unification of our ethno-religious heritage was complete, and the dream had been realised, keeping with the wish of Our Lord Ut unum sint – that all may be one. In 2025, the central See was consecrated as the Holy Apostolic See of Sts. Peter, Andrew, Stephen, and Mark on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the Roman-Ruthenian dynasty, thus including the patron saints of the Prince-Bishop as Supreme Pontiff of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church.
Over the years, the Holy Apostolic See and its various jurisdictions and organisations around the world established religious orders, built parishes and religious communities, grew chaplaincies servings the poor and vulnerable, expanded vocations, built service organisations to facilitate and promote humanitarian work, carried out significant historical preservation work, engaged in extensive diplomatic work, and published an substantial collection of liturgical, theological, and historical books. In the words of Bishop Rutherford (Radislav) I, "Our mission is the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. Our method is to empower people to build on their strengths, achieve their full potential, and do good in the world." See more here.
Succession and AuthorityThe United Roman-Ruthenian Church's principle lines of heritage and authority are:
Russian Orthodox(from Nikon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'; Sergius Starogrodsky, Metropolitan of Nizhni-Novgorod, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'); and Saint Archbishop Abdullah Aftimios Ofiesh
Syrian Antiochene(from Mar Ignatius III, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch)
Syrian Malabarese(from Mar Ignatius Peter III, Patriarch of Antioch)
Syrian Gallican(from Mar Julius,
Metropolitan
of Goa; Mar Athanasius,Metropolitan of
Angamaly; and Mar Gregorios, Metropolitan of Niranam)
Greek Orthodox(from Damian I, Patriarch of Jerusalem)
Coptic Orthodox(via Cyril VI, Pope of Alexandria)
Syro Chaldean(from Mar Shimum XVIII, Patriarch of Seleucia-Ctesiphon and Catholicos of the East; Mar Abdese-Antonios, Metropolitan of Malabar; and Mar Basileus, Metropolitan of India, Ceylon, Mylapore, Socotra, and Messina)
Chaldean Uniate(from Mar Emmanuel Thomas II, Patriarch of Babylon) Armenian Uniate(from Archbishop Charchorunian, consecreated under the reign of Patriarch Antonios Peter IX)
Greek Melkite Uniate(from Athanasius
Sawoya, Greek Melkite Archbishopof Beyrouth and Gebeil
in Syria)
Russo-Syriac(from Archbishop
Evdokim, Archbishop of Nizhny Novgorodand
Archbishop of the
Aleutians)
American Orthodox Catholic Church(from Saint
Archbishop Aftimios Ofiesh,
Prince-Abbots Edmond I (Edmund Basile Walker-Baxter), and Edmond II
(George Arvid Edmond Lyman) of San Luigi).
 Edmond I, Prince-Abbot of San Luigi African Orthodox Church (from
Metropolitan Alexander I)
Roman Catholic and Anglican SuccessionThe United Roman-Ruthenian Church's Roman Catholic and Anglican lines of succession may be seen at this page. Temporal Succession of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church & Pontifical Imperial StateThe temporal succession of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church may be seen at this page.
Read more about our vision, mission, and core values by following this link. Canonical Married Bishops and Clergy
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING Apostolic and Temporal
Succession of Rutherford (Radislav) I. Pontifical Georgian Press.
2024.
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