Werschetzianite Orthodox Church

The Werschetzianite Orthodox Church (Werschetzianite: Вєршєцка Православна Цєрква, ВПЦ, romanized: Veršecka Pravoslavna Cerkva, VPC) is one of the autocephalous Orthodox Issian churches. It is the oldest Slavic Orthodox Church in Slavia. The majority of the population in Versec are members of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is organized into archbishoprics and bishoprics, located primarily in Versec, Kadolha and Kus. Other congregations are located in the Werschetzianite diaspora. The Werschetzianite Orthodox Church is an autocephalous, or ecclesiastically independent, member of the Orthodox Issian communion. The Werscherzianite Patriarch serves as first among equals in his church. The current patriarch is Joakim, enthroned on February 15, 2015.[5]

The Church achieved autocephalous status in 1011,[6] under the leadership of Saint, becoming the independent Archbishopric of Veršeň. Its status was elevated to that of a patriarchate in 1474, and was known afterwards as the Patriarchate of Veršec.