OCCA Diocese of New York

Our jurisdiction, the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America, was established in 1892 under the authority of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, as an Orthodox Western Rite missionary archdiocese, centered at that time in the upper midwest and Western Ontario. 

In 1910 our Metropolitanate and Archdiocese became self-governing. Although we are no longer in formal communion with any other Orthodox jurisdiction, we strive to maintain cordial, respectful, neighborly relationships with other faith communities.  Still a comparatively small jurisdiction, we have active clergy and seminarians in the United States, Australia, Mexico, Canada, the UK, and Germany.

To remain true to our history, our jurisdictional mission strives to  be an authentic, apostolic church that travels in this world lightly enough to develop spiritual friendships with people and places that hunger for God.  Our task, insofar as we are able in this world, is to assist the Holy Spirit in growing Christians in the rich soil of the gospel and apostolic tradition.

Our parishes and communities are small, intentional, diverse, and progressive, rooted in the church of the apostles. Together, we celebrate the presence of the Holy One of Israel.  We do what Jesus does because we are embodied with Him.  We are resolved to be attentive in prayer and caring toward all. 

Bishop Elizabeth

The Rt Revd Lynn Elizabeth Walker, SSB, D.Min., FRSA has over 20 years’ experience working with LGBTQIA+ youths and people living with HIV/AIDS. She has been a presenter at the United States Conference on AIDS, the American Public Health Association, Creating Change, and the Philadelphia Transgender Health Conference.

Her book, Forward: Thoughts of a Trans Woman on the Christian Journey, was published by Wipf and Stock in 2023. She served as the primary editor of the Saint Basil Missal, published through Lulu by the Orthodox Society of Saint Basil in 2024.

Ordained since 1988, she serves in the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America as Ecumenical Officer and as Bishop. She has served parishes in New Jersey, Western New York, and New York City, and has served in the USAF Auxiliary - Civil Air Patrol as a Chaplain. She lives in New York City and is married to the Rt Revd Francesca Fortunato.  Her interests include ecclesial history, military history, medieval literature, ballroom dance, and late Victorian crime literature.

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The Diocese of New York is not linked to specific geography, and serves clergy and parishes in several states.  It maintains informal, cordial relations with other similar parishes and clergy in other jurisdictions, and serves as a point of contact for enquirers who wish to know more about the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America.