Abous Us

The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Italy, was founded in 2016, at the behest of Professor Armando Corino, a professor of philosophy and psychologist, assisted by a group of clergy from different Orthodox and Catholic backgrounds, as well as Christian faithful, following the suppression of the Milan Metropolia of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (U.A.O.C.).
This non-Catholic worship association, which is in the process of being transformed into a worship body recognized by public institutions, was founded with the aim of continuing the proselytization of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Italy.
Monsignor Teodoro, born Prof. Armando Corino, was born in Asti on Jan. 1, 1946. After obtaining a degree in Philosophy, he devoted himself to teaching in various classical high schools in northern Italy. Strongly passionate about psycholgy, he completed his academic studies and later obtained a second degree in Psychology and enrolled in the National Order of Psychologists.
Along with his activities as a professor at the classical high school and as a psychologist, however, there is a strong passion for theology and philanthropy.
He met H.E. Archbishop Basil, born Grillo Miceli, an eminent member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (U.A.O.C.) and was fascinated by the ecumenical work of this high Orthodox prelate, which gave him the idea to receive Ordination at first Diaconal, then Priestly on January 21, 2007.
He was consecrated episcopus by the late Archbishop Basil and H.E.Vladimir on Feb. 12, 2009, incardinated in the Church of Gallia Cisalpina of direct emanation of the U.A.O.C.,born following the suppression of the Metropolia of Milan of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, and assumed the office of Bishop of Heraclea.
Shortly thereafter, Archbishop Basil independently decided to join the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in Italy founded by Archbishop Antonio De Rosso, becoming de facto Vicar General of the Orthodox Church in Italy and left the Church of Cisalpine Gaul.
Archbishop Vladimir, a former member of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, temporarily retires to monastic life.

Following these events, Bishop Theodoro, decided to found the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Italy and assumed the title of Metropolitan Archbishop of Italy, remaining Bishop of the Diocese of Heraclea.

Unfortunately, the Church, having no other episcopes struggles to expand its pastoral work, so H.Em. Most Rev. Theodore, Archbishop Primate, makes the harsh decision to suspend pastoral activity and places the church in a “dormant” status.

Being in retirement, S.Em. Theodore, decided to retire to monastic life and founded a small monastery in Toirano (SV), cultivating aloe vera and other offcinal plants.

He later decided to reactivate the church in early 2022, with the goal of finishing what he had set out to do with the founding of said church.
On Feb. 20, 2022, Metropolitan Archbishop Theodore, assisted by another episcop, consecrates Bishop of Seborga, the Commendatory Abbot of the Abbey Principality of Seborga, His Most Reverend Highness Giovanni Luca, confers on him the title of Archbishop of the Principality of Monaco and the Principality of Seborga, and welcomes him into the Holy Synod.

On 8 March 2022, Metropolitan Archbishop Theodoro welcomed His Eminence Peter, already a Bishop in another jurisdiction, to the Holy Synod and confirmed him as Bishop of San Pietro Vernotico and Archbishop of Southern Italy.

The Holy Synod of the Italian Orthodox Autonomous Church is reconstituted and composed of the newly appointed Primate and two bishops.
The Vicar General, proposed by the Primate and elected by the Synodal Assembly, is H.Em. Most Reverend Giovanni Luca, Abbot Commendatory of Seborga, Metropolitan Archbishop for Northern Italy, the Abbey Principality of Seborga and the Principality of Monaco.
The role of chancellor was conferred by the Holy Synod, at the proposal of the Primate, on H.Em.Msgr. Pietro, Metropolitan Archbishop of Southern Italy.
The church is currently composed of three Archdioceses: Northern, Central and Southern Italy, to which the various dioceses report territorially.
The C.A.O.I. has officially placed the Monastic Order of Seborga, a direct emanation of the Worship Association “Polish National Catholic Church à
Monaco,” which has become a hybrid Catholic-Orthodox body in the same communion with the C.A.O.I. The Order is administered by the Commendatory Abbot, currently composed of priests, deacons, monks and tertiaries (oblates).
The C.A.O.I. has its administrative headquarters C/o Studio Legale Avv. Giuseppe Auriemma on Viale Gorizia 25/C in Rome and has two Monasteries:
– Monastery of the Monastic Order of Seborga, located in the heart of the Abbey Principality of Seborga.
The Monastery of the Monastic Order of Seborga, located in the heart of the Abbey Principality of Seborga, is placed under the authority of the Prince-Abate, H.R.H. Rev. Father Giovanni Luca. The Monastery Chapel dedicated to St. Maia of Magdala, located in Seborga (IM) is currently for the exclusive use of the Monks and Oblates of the Monastic Order.

For any information please consult the Facebook page of the Monastic Order of Seborga, the website: https://seborga.org , or write to the following email address: segreteria@ordinemonastico.org .
– Monastery of Our Lady of the Quarry, located in San Pietro Vernotico (BR).
The Monastery of Our Lady of the Quarry, located at Via Alcide De Gasperi No. 116, 72027 San Pietro Vernotico (BR), is placed under the authority of H.Em. Mgr. Pietro.
The Monastery Chapel is open to the public in order to be able to view the Holy Icons of Jesus and Mary, which since 2003/2004 have been the subject of study by the University of Bologna because of the unexplained phenomenon of human blood tearing, unique in nature. These Icons are regularly inspected by the Vatican Authorities, which have affixed security seals.
Msgr. Michele, Vicar of the Archbishop of Southern Italy is available for any information or pilgrimage, by appointment, at the following e-mail address: angelodellacava@alice.it .
For more information you can visit the website, https://missionarimadonnadellacava.it .

The C.A.O.I. also has two private Chapels, where Divine Liturgies are regularly celebrated:
-St. Michael’s Priory Chapel, located in Ventimiglia (IM) and run by Presbyter Father Andrew;
-Chapel of Our Lady of Alberobello (BA), located at the Monastery of Our Lady of Alberobello and managed directly by the Archimandrite of the Monastery, Bishop James Michael.
Other places of worship will be set up as soon as friends and benefactors support our pastoral work.
If you would like to make a donation and support our pastoral work, please use the link below:
https://
For more information you can write to our e-mail address: info@caoi.it