The Department of History and Archives maintains the Archives of The Orthodox Church in America, a rich and unparalleled resource documenting the history of Orthodox Christianity in North American dating back to the Alaskan mission in 1794.

The Department of History and Archives provides research and documentary support to the Holy Synod of Bishops, chancery staff, and other administrative bodies of the Church. It also systematically gathers and preserves various other historical materials and resources of historical importance. The department offers assistance to researchers, as well as dioceses, parishes, and institutions interested in studying the history and life of North American Orthodoxy.

The department provides various consultant and research services and publishes periodic monographs on historical topics. Department members are available to deliver lectures and other presentations.

For several years, a special department task force has been writing and/or editing material on the OCA and North American Orthodoxy for the massive Orthodox Encyclopedia currently being published in Russia.