The Orthodox Church in America Exarchate of Mexico is a missionary diocese of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). Its territory includes parishes, monasteries, and missions located in four states in Mexico (as well as the Mexican Federal District) – Chiapas, México, Jalisco, and Veracruz. The diocesan chancery is located in the Mexican Federal District.
The current ruling bishop of the exarchate is Alejo (Pacheco-Vera), Bishop of Mexico City. Bishop Alejo was consecrated on May 28, 2005 as an auxiliary to Bishop Dmitri (Royster), the Exarch of Mexico from 1972 to 2008. Bishop Alejo was elected as the ruling bishop of the exarchate on October 16, 2008 and installed in the Ascension Cathedral in Mexico City on January 18, 2009.
The Mexican Exarchate was created through the mass conversion (some 10,000-20,000 persons) of an entire diocese of the Mexican National Catholic Church to Orthodoxy in 1972. The Mexican National Catholic Church still has 4 other existing diocese.
The diocese is grouped geographically into five deaneries, each consisting of a number of parishes. Each deanery is headed by a parish priest, known as a dean. The deans coordinate activities in their area's parishes, and report to the diocesan bishop. The current deaneries of the Exarchate of Mexico are:
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