Washington, October 1, 2026
Orthodox Church in America
The Orthodox Church in America has bought a new residence for His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon and a home for its chancery, just steps from St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, the church’s primatial cathedral in Washington, DC. The purchase ends a relocation that has dragged on for several years.
The OCA put its former chancery property in Syosset, New York, up for sale in 2020, only finding a buyer in 2024. The church has been working out of temporary offices in Springfield, Virginia, since 2022.
The Church says in its announcement that the new location places the primate’s residence and the central administrative offices close to the primatial cathedral, which will strengthen the liturgical, pastoral and administrative life of the Church. The property will also give the OCA a visible presence in the nation’s capital, the statement says, and the space will let it welcome hierarchs, clergy, faithful, dignitaries and other visitors, and engage with ecclesiastical, diplomatic and civic institutions.
Photo: oca.org
The purchase was made possible by a gift from Joseph and Theresa Domanick, two late members of the OCA. “I am especially grateful for the extraordinary generosity of the ever-memorable servants of God Joseph and Theresa Domanick, whose love for the Church made this acquisition possible,” Metropolitan Tikhon said.
Both the Holy Synod of Bishops and the Metropolitan Council unanimously backed the acquisition.
Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, the OCA’s chancellor, called the purchase “a monumental step in the life of the Orthodox Church in America.”
“There have been many moments throughout this process in which we could see the providence of God at work. Its successful completion is a cause for profound gratitude,” Fr. Alessandro reflected.
Final preparations for Metropolitan Tikhon’s move are underway, including furnishing the property and transferring materials from the Springfield offices and the former chancery in Sysosset.
The OCA asks the faithful to remember Joseph and Theresa Domanick in prayer.
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