The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) is set to formally recognize the autocephaly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Archdiocese of Ohrid during a historic joint Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, September 2, at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

The liturgy will be concelebrated by Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the OCA, and Archbishop Stefan, head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, marking the official establishment of full Eucharistic communion between the two Churches.

According to the OCA’s official announcement, this will be the first time the American Church publicly acknowledges the Macedonian Church as an autocephalous (self-governing) Orthodox body — a significant milestone in inter-Orthodox relations.

The recognition was first announced by Metropolitan Tikhon during the 21st All-American Council of the OCA, held in Phoenix, Arizona, from July 14–18, 2025. Preparations for the September celebration have since been underway, and several hierarchs, clergy, and faithful from both Churches are expected to attend.

The service will begin at 9:00 a.m., with music provided by the Washington Archdiocesan Choir. Worshippers will have the opportunity to venerate the Hawaiian Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon of the Mother of God and the relics of St. Olga of Kwethluk, recently canonized by the OCA.

The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Archdiocese of Ohrid was granted autocephaly in 2022 by the Serbian Orthodox Church, ending decades of canonical isolation. Since then, it has been recognized by several other Local Orthodox Churches, including those of Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The OCA's upcoming recognition will be among the latest steps toward broad global acceptance of Macedonia’s ecclesiastical independence.