The Union of Charismatic Orthodox Churches (UCOC) is a
predominantly African American and
Hispanic/Latino Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is a distinct religious body within Christianity that comprises all church congregations of the same kind, identifiable by traits such as a name, particular history, organization, leadership, theological doctrine, worsh ...
forming part of the
Convergence Movement
The Convergence Movement, also known as the Ancient-Future Faith movement, is a Protestant Christian movement that began during the Fourth Great Awakening (1960–1980) in the United States.
Largely a result of the ecumenical movement and its fo ...
. Established in
Painted Post
Painted Post is a village in Steuben County, New York. The village is in the town of Erwin, west of the city of Corning. The population was 1,809 at the 2010 census. The name comes from a Seneca carved post found by explorers at the junction o ...
,
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
, on July 31, 2019,
the UCOC describes itself as a union "embracing a multiplicity of
Protestant and
catholic expressions of worship and practice." Most of its churches are located in the
Northern United States
The Northern United States, commonly referred to as the American North, the Northern States, or simply the North, is a geographical or historical region of the United States.
History Early history
Before the 19th century westward expansion, the "N ...
.
History
On July 31, 2019, the Union of Charismatic Orthodox Churches was formed in
New York State, with the
Bishop Dr. Emilio Alvarez unanimously elected as interim
prelate; on October 20, 2020 during its first synod, Alvarez was elected to lead the UCOC as its
primate. In December 2020, Alvarez and the Union of Charismatic Orthodox Churches was hosted by
Archbishop Elpidophoros of the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. In 2021, Alvarez was installed as the
archbishop
In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...
and primate for the Union of Charismatic Orthodox Churches.
Worship and doctrine
Within the Union of Charismatic Orthodox Churches, worship reflects the principles of the
Convergence Movement
The Convergence Movement, also known as the Ancient-Future Faith movement, is a Protestant Christian movement that began during the Fourth Great Awakening (1960–1980) in the United States.
Largely a result of the ecumenical movement and its fo ...
. Its clergy dress in
vestments and
clerical garments, lead the faithful through the collect, and the
Eucharist
The Eucharist (; from Greek , , ), also known as Holy Communion and the Lord's Supper, is a Christian rite that is considered a sacrament in most churches, and as an ordinance in others. According to the New Testament, the rite was instit ...
. Churches within the UCOC also follow a liturgical calendar; accept the
Nicene
The original Nicene Creed (; grc-gre, Σύμβολον τῆς Νικαίας; la, Symbolum Nicaenum) was first adopted at the First Council of Nicaea in 325. In 381, it was amended at the First Council of Constantinople. The amended form is a ...
,
Apostles' and
Athanasian
Athanasius I of Alexandria, ; cop, ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲑⲁⲛⲁⲥⲓⲟⲩ ⲡⲓⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲓⲕⲟⲥ or Ⲡⲁⲡⲁ ⲁⲑⲁⲛⲁⲥⲓⲟⲩ ⲁ̅; (c. 296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, ...
creeds; and worship has been structured with lessons from the
1979 Book of Common Prayer, alongside
Eastern Orthodox and
Roman Catholic liturgies.
[{{Cite journal , last=Alvarez , first=Emilio , date=2022-07-03 , title=The Union of Charismatic Orthodox Churches , url=https://doi.org/10.1080/0458063X.2022.2085966 , journal=Liturgy , volume=37 , issue=3 , pages=28–35 , doi=10.1080/0458063X.2022.2085966 , issn=0458-063X] In common with most Convergence Christian bodies except the
Charismatic Episcopal Church, the UCOC affirms the
ordination of women
The ordination of women to ministerial or priestly office is an increasingly common practice among some contemporary major religious groups. It remains a controversial issue in certain Christian traditions and most denominations in which "ordina ...
.
See also
*
Convergence Movement
The Convergence Movement, also known as the Ancient-Future Faith movement, is a Protestant Christian movement that began during the Fourth Great Awakening (1960–1980) in the United States.
Largely a result of the ecumenical movement and its fo ...
*
Paleo-orthodoxy
References
External links
Website of the Union of Charismatic Orthodox Churches
Christian denominations founded in the United States
Convergence Movement
Christian organizations established in 2019