The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) is a branch of the Russian Orthodox Church that was established in 1920. It was formed by Russian émigrés who fled the Bolshevik Revolution and sought to preserve their religious traditions and practices abroad. ROCOR operates independently from the Moscow Patriarchate, although it has maintained a connection with the Russian Orthodox Church. ROCOR has parishes and communities in various countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. It focuses on serving the spiritual needs of Russian-speaking Orthodox Christians living outside of Russia. In 2007, ROCOR and the Moscow Patriarchate reconciled, restoring their relationship after decades of separation.