Nicholas Chapman, Author at Orthodox History

Philip Ludwell III and Slavery

Philip Ludwell III is the first known convert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity in the Americas. He was a prominent figure in pre-revolutionary Virginia and a relative by blood or marriage of many great early figures in American history from George Washington to Richard Henry Lee of the great Lee family...

From Scotland to Minorca: New Perspectives on the Beginnings of the Orthodox Church in the Modern Americas

Introduction At the turn of this century two important collections of documents came to light in the north of Scotland[i], the content of which should adjust our understanding of the first steps of the Orthodox Church in what is now the United States. Recently I was able to travel to...

Cinco de Mayo and the lost Orthodox Missions of Mexico

When I was in my early twenties, a couple of years before I entered the Orthodox Church, I crossed the Atlantic and spent a summer busing across America. I spent a week of the trip working with a Roman Catholic Jesuit mission (although I was a Protestant at that time,)...

The First Orthodox Christians in the Future United States?

In a month in which we have seen the brutal massacre of peaceful African Americans at prayer in Charleston, South Carolina, it is perhaps timely to tell the remarkable account of the first named Orthodox Christians in what would become the United States, together with their Black African companion. So...

Of Antioch and Alexandria, England and America

Introduction: Visitors at Balamand If you were to visit today the web site of the St John of Damascus School of Theology in Balamand, Lebanon you might not be surprised to find a news item about a group of English businessmen visiting the Institute and attending a vespers service. After...

Photos from Nicholas Chapman’s Ludwell Research Trip in Texas

Editor's note: Yesterday, we published an article by Nicholas Chapman on his latest discoveries about Philip Ludwell III, his circle, and his descendants. Today, we're publishing some photos from Nicholas' excursion to Texas, where he found more startling evidence that continues to reshape our understanding of early Orthodoxy in America.

Virginian Orthodoxy in the Early American Republic

For almost four years now I have been researching the story of Colonel Philip Ludwell III of Williamsburg, Virginia, since learning of his reception into the Orthodox Church in 1738. During the last few days of July just past I was able to spend some time travelling in the great...

An Unexpected Discovery Concerning Philip Ludwell III

On the last day of May I returned home at close to midnight from a full week in New York City where I had attended Book Expo America. There was a stack of mail awaiting me, but I put it to one side assuming it contained little of interest beyond...

The Righteous Shall Be in Everlasting Remembrance: Further Reflections on Colonel Philip Ludwell III

Introduction March 14/27 this year will mark the 266th anniversary of the falling asleep in the Lord of Colonel Philip Ludwell III of Williamsburg, Virginia. As many readers of this web site will know he is the first documented convert to Orthodoxy in the Americas, following his reception into the...

Orthodoxy in America – an Interconnected and Shared History

Presentation given by Nicholas Chapman of Herkimer NY at the OCL 25th Anniversary Conference, Washington DC on Oct 27, 2012. (Original here) Before I begin let me thank George Matsoukas and the Board of OCL for the invitation to present today. I would also like to acknowledge Matthew Namee whose place...