Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) met with Metropolitan Saba, head of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, to discuss the situation of Orthodox Christians in the United States and opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the two major Orthodox jurisdictions.

The meeting took place on September 28 at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, D.C., according to the OCA. Metropolitan Tikhon welcomed Metropolitan Saba and gave him a tour of the cathedral before the two hierarchs held a private fraternal discussion.

The talks focused on the life of Orthodox communities in North America, current issues facing the wider Orthodox Church, and further cooperation between the OCA and the Antiochian Archdiocese. The OCA said the meeting reflected the close relationship between the two hierarchs and their shared desire to promote Orthodox unity and cooperation in the United States.

The meeting comes amid growing interest in Orthodox Christianity in the United States, a trend that representatives of both jurisdictions have highlighted in recent years.

In November 2025, Metropolitan Saba spoke about an influx of Americans into Orthodoxy who do not come from traditional Orthodox immigrant communities. He said interest was particularly noticeable among younger people, whom he associated with a search for deeper spiritual life and an established church tradition.

For the OCA, the growth of Orthodox communities has also created practical challenges. According to a study of church statistics published in June 2026, the jurisdiction has approximately 693 active priests serving 776 parishes and missions. More than 40 new communities have been established over the past five years, while the number of clergy has grown at a considerably slower pace.