Russian Church Abroad

The Russian Church Abroad (ROCOR) is a semi-autonomous branch of the Russian Orthodox Church, established in 1920 by Russian Orthodox Christians who fled the Soviet Union after the 1917 revolution. It functions independently outside of Russia, primarily serving believers in diaspora communities. ROCOR maintains traditional Orthodox beliefs and practices, emphasizing preserving Russian religious and cultural heritage. Although initially separate from the Russian Orthodox Church based in Moscow, ROCOR reconciled in 2007, becoming fully reunited while retaining some administrative independence. It plays a vital role in sustaining Orthodox spirituality and cultural identity among Russians and other Orthodox Christians worldwide.