About OCAAF
Orthodox faith.
Fellowship in service.
St Michael’s Orthodox Christian Association of the Armed Forces brings together people from across the UK Armed Forces and wider Defence community through Orthodox Christian faith and fellowship.
Who We Are
Built by Orthodox Christians serving in His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
OCAAF was formed from a desire to share the fellowship of Orthodox Christian faith throughout military service.
Today, OCAAF is a registered charity bringing together Sailors, Soldiers and Aviators, as well as Civil Servants, Veterans, supportive family members and civilians who recognise and support our work.
Our members come from a variety of Orthodox jurisdictions and backgrounds. Orthodoxy is not a prerequisite to membership.
Recognition
Part of a wider Christian and Defence community.
Registered Charity
OCAAF is a registered charity in England and Wales.
Charity No. 1213930
Defence Christian Network
OCAAF is recognised within the Defence Christian Network and participates as an active member organisation.
Orthodox Church
OCAAF is recognised by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of Great Britain and Ireland.
Our Mission
Advancing Orthodox Christianity across the Armed Forces community.
Our mission is to advance Orthodox Christianity in our personal and professional lives, amongst our colleagues in the Ministry of Defence, our families and across the wider Armed Forces community, including Veterans.
Our Community
A fellowship that extends beyond active service.
OCAAF exists for people across the full breadth of the Armed Forces and Defence community.
Sailors
Serving members of the Royal Navy and those connected with the naval community.
Soldiers
Serving Army personnel and those connected with Army life.
Aviators
Serving Royal Air Force personnel and those connected with the RAF community.
Veterans & Supporters
Veterans, Civil Servants, family members and civilians who recognise and support OCAAF’s mission.
Our Faith
Rooted in Orthodox Christianity.
The Orthodox Christian faith is at the heart of OCAAF’s mission and community.
Our core beliefs are summarised in the Nicene Creed, the historic statement of Christian faith adopted by the Ecumenical Councils.
We affirm the Holy Trinity, the divinely inspired Holy Scriptures, sacred Tradition, the sacramental life of the Church, the central place of the Divine Liturgy and the importance of prayer.
Our Patron
St Michael the Taxiarchis
St Michael, Commander of the Bodiless Powers, is the Patron Saint of OCAAF.
At the Fall from Heaven of Satan and his servants, St Michael stepped forward as a champion of God and led the Heavenly Hosts to victory.
He stands as an example of decisive action, faithfulness and courage, making him a particularly fitting patron for an Orthodox Christian association rooted in the Armed Forces community.
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Our Values
Faith expressed through fellowship and service.
Faith
We trust and believe in Christ by living the Orthodox Faith.
Fellowship
We seek to see others with non-judgemental attention and accept them for who they are.
Service
We offer ourselves in service to others and to God through our gifts and resources.
Witness
We support those who want to know and live the Orthodox Christian faith.
Registered Charity
St Michael’s Orthodox Christian Association of the Armed Forces
Charity Number
1213930
Organisation
CIO
Registered
3 July 2025
Become Part of OCAAF
Find your place in the community.
Discover membership, connect with OCAAF and become part of a fellowship rooted in Orthodox Christian faith and the Armed Forces community.