Glory to God for All Things: UOJ-USA's First Year in Review

Well, here we are, in the two thousand and twenty-sixth year of Our Lord. This is a major milestone for us at the UOJ-USA, as 2025 was our inaugural calendar year. It’s hard not to pause and reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve made in these few short months.

It all started with a couple of enthusiastic phone calls between a couple of friends hyping each other up about the idea of starting our own platform. We dreamed of creating a space where the news could be viewed through the lens of Holy Orthodoxy—free from worldly ideologies that cloud the mainstream media.

Those initial conversations were fueled by a shared conviction that the Church's voice needed amplification in the West. Above all, we wanted to speak out on behalf of the suffering Church in Ukraine.

Little did we know how quickly that vision would take root.

From those humble beginnings, UOJ-USA has grown far beyond our wildest expectations. We’ve built a dedicated team, expanded our reach across social media and digital platforms, and connected with readers across the country and around the World. Our audience has swelled, thank God. We’ve been able to cover the events that matter to America’s Orthodox Christians, from the destruction of a church in Palestine to a parish bake sale in rural Texas.

Whether it’s good news or bad news, a big story or a little story, we give it to you straight—all, we hope, to the greater glory of God.

For all of this, we give profound thanks to Christ, whose providence has guided us every step of the way. It’s a reminder that when we step out in faith, He multiplies our efforts in ways we could never imagine.

This year, we’ve had the privilege of covering some truly pivotal stories that highlight the triumphs, trials, and truths of Orthodox life. This includes:

• The “reception” of defrocked ROCOR priest Alexander Stepanenko into the Slavic Vicariate by GOARCH.

• The Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to the USA, which we covered live.

• The dramatic seizure and subsequent liberation of the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi, where an astonishing 5,000 believers rallied to reclaim their sacred space—a powerful testament to the resilience of the faithful.

• Attempts by U.S. political elites, including Rep. Joe Wilson and Sen. Chuck Grassley, to cover up for the Kyiv government’s persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

• The ongoing feud between Abp. Elpidophoros of America and the Archons, which the UOJ broke.

• Our investigative work exposing two Archons with ties to Russian interests.

• The Society of Saint John Day of Action in Washington, D.C., where 200 Orthodox Christians spoke to 80 U.S. Congressmen in support of the UOC.

The coming year promises even greater impact, with several large projects in the pipeline from our team—including a podcast, major investigative reporting, and collaborations with trusted Orthodox voices.

We’re committed to continuing our mission with the same zeal that started it all, trusting in the Lord’s continued blessing.

Glory to God for all things!

Pope Leo the Great: Champion of Orthodoxy

Today, the Orthodox Church today commemorates St. Leo the Great, who championed Orthodoxy against the Monophysite heresy at the Council of Chalcedon.

Built by the Saints, Stolen by the State

As Orthodox faithful honor St. Isaac the Recluse on February 14, the historic Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra faces mounting crisis: state seizure of key buildings from the UOC, restricted pilgrim access, and a devastating water-heating rupture that flooded museum collections housing 4,000 irreplaceable artifacts.

St. Meletios of Antioch and the Papal Schism of the 4th Century

Again, Orthodox ecclesiology shines in this example. Like St. Basil, we both recognize and honor the weighty office of universal primate (historically occupied by Rome, now enjoyed by Constantinople). However, this example also shows that true primacy is fraternal, not monarchical. Basil and the Eastern fathers didn’t view the pope—or any one bishop!—as infallible. Instead, they formed councils to resolve their disputes, following the example of the Holy Apostles themselves.

How St. Tikhon of Moscow Outlived the Communists

The unveiling of St. Tikhon's incorrupt relics was like a little Pascha. Orthodoxy's resurrection from Soviet death, triumphing over persecution like Christ trampling death. Those who came to the tomb looking for death and decay were disappointed. The Russian Orthodox Church has risen from the dead, trampling down death by the death of her martyrs.

Is Lying a Sin?

Why was the Ninth Commandment not expressed directly, Thou shall not lie ? Because a lie is not something that comes out of the mouth. It’s what comes out of the heart.

The Kyiv Post Proves Our Point

How media narratives about UOJ-USA and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church collapse under their own citations