ROCOR (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia)

ROCOR (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia) is a branch of the Russian Orthodox Church that was established in 1920 by clergy and laity who fled or were exiled from Soviet Russia. It operates independently but remains in communion with the broader Russian Orthodox Church. ROCOR preserves traditional Orthodox faith and practices, emphasizing spiritual authority, liturgical integrity, and cultural heritage. After years of separation, it reconciled with the Moscow Patriarchate in 2007, restoring full unity while maintaining its distinct identity as a diaspora church serving Russian Orthodox communities worldwide.