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The Exarchate of the Philippines is a jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople governed by the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia (OMHKSEA). As of 1 September 2009, there are some 560 members of this jurisdiction in the country, around 40 of those being expatriates. There are three parishes and three chapels in the Philippines.
Contents
History
Around the beginning of the seventeenth century, Greek sailors settled in Manila and Legazpi.
The Annunciation of the Theotokos Orthodox Church was consecrated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on March 5, 2000, during his visit to the Philippines. Despite not being the bishop's seat—the cathedra—it is sometimes called a "cathedral" because it is the only church in the metropolis blessed by the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Two other churches, in Cataingan and Los Baños, have since been established, along with a few other chapels.
There are three major centres of Orthodoxy in the Philippines: Sucat, Parañaque in Metro Manila; around Los Baños; and in Bajada, Cataingan, Masbate. There are currently five priests and two monastic nuns in the Philippines.
Language
The Divine Liturgy and other Orthodox worship services are said in English or the local language.
Parishes
Chapels
One more church, the Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Siniloan, Laguna, is functioning alternatively, in connection with the Holy Trinity parish of Los Baňos.