Our Military and Chaplaincy Mission
The Ordinariate of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy (OAFC)
The Ordinariate of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy® is a diocese under the oversight of a diocesan bishop who may be a retired military chaplain and embracing the AOCC vision, partners with other AOCC Departments to support, assess, and provide endorsements and care of chaplains serving in the U.S. military, civilian VA / CIA and their families. The AOCC Ordinariate is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction or diocese of the American Orthodox Catholic Church of the Eastern and Western rites, responsible for the sacramental pastoral care of Orthodox chaplains, families, laity serving in the armed forces of a nation. We seek to:
• Endorse AOCC priests called to the chaplaincy ministry for the proclamation of the gospel
• To embrace our chaplains and their families in prayer and pastoral care
• To assist parishes with the discovery, development, and deployment of chaplaincy ministry
• To enhance the ministry of our chaplains through continuing education
• To assist our churches in their ministry to AOCC priests’ chaplains and their families, including transitions in ministry
• To engage our pastors and denominational leaders on an intentional strategy in support of our chaplains and our military families
• To enlist our chaplains for local parish involvement and ministries
• To assist chaplains to transition into AOCC parishes or become church planters within our Communion
• To become spiritual formation mentors for other priests who may be seeking to become AOCC chaplains
• To assist struggling parishes as supply priests or area support missionaries
• To become professors for AOCC seminaries
• To assist the Chaplains as itinerate evangelists
The bishop’s hat or Mitre symbolizes their spiritual authority and leadership. The two sides of the pointed hat represent the Old and New Testament, while the shape of the hat represents the Holy Spirit. The shield or coat-of-arms embraces the primary colors Red, White and Blue to remind us of the blood our soldiers shed for our nation. The shield also reflects St. Paul’s charge to every Soldier to put on the armor of God (Ephes. 6:11-13) to show that we as Christians are Soldiers engaged in a battle with the world, sin, and the devil. The white cross divides the shield into four quadrants indicates that we as Christians are under the banner of the cross of Jesus Christ in this holy war on earth. He alone is our salvation. The cross keys symbolize and represent the crucifixion, and the keys Jesus gave to Peter empowering him to binding actions in leading the church. This same charge is given to chaplains nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor the Fallen.
The bibles are reminders of Gods prophetic Word, written about God, for the people of God, for correction, and his relationship to the salvation of his people, and a written record of the law, prophets and wisdom that we as chaplains are to bring to our leadership and Nation. We are to teach, preach and disciple our flock. The chalice is a sign representing the Incarnation and our worship. The chalice and host remind us of the real presence of his body and blood our Lord, Jesus Christ. The olive branch means peace, renewal and reconciliation.
St. John of Capistrano is a Franciscan patron of military chaplains a Soldier Saint. He best reflects the virtues of being a great preacher, theologian and leader of men.
The banner at the bottom with the Words “Non-Nobis Domine” meaning “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name give the glory” is a Latin prayer expressing thanksgiving and humility (Psalm 113:9). Chaplains are to be “In Persona Christi.” In the person of Christ in every situation that He might be given all the glory in our purpose, our call, our mission, and our ministry as Chaplains.