Come experience the worship of the Orthodox Church, which has preserved the faith delivered once to the saints, and has by the grace of God continued to produce saints for 2,000 years.
You are welcome to visit and pray with us! After Liturgy on Sundays there is free coffee and lunch available downstairs in the parish hall. We look forward to meeting you!
The beginning of the Orthodox liturgical year on September 1st. Also called the Indiction, this feast marks the start of the annual cycle of feasts and fasts. Many Orthodox churches hold special services with prayers for the new year, blessing of schools, and remembrance of God's creation. It emphasizes new beginnings and spiritual renewal.
Matins (Orthros)
The morning prayer service of the Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated at dawn. Also called Orthros in Greek tradition, this service includes the reading of the Gospel, the Great Doxology, and numerous psalms and hymns. Matins prepares the faithful for the day and is often celebrated immediately before the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days.
Nativity of Christ
The celebration of Christ's birth in Bethlehem. The feast is preceded by a 40-day Nativity Fast and celebrated with the Divine Liturgy, special hymns like the Troparion of the Nativity, and the blessing of homes.
Nativity of the Theotokos
The celebration of the birth of the Virgin Mary to Saints Joachim and Anna. This feast, observed on September 8th, marks the beginning of our salvation history, as Mary's birth prepared the way for the Incarnation. The Church honors Mary as the bridge between the Old and New Testaments.
St. Silouan the Athonite
The 20th-century Russian monk of Mount Athos known for his mystical experiences and spiritual writings. Silouan experienced divine visions and taught the prayer 'Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.' His spiritual notes, preserved by his disciple, reveal profound insights into Orthodox spirituality and the experience of God.
Divine Liturgy
The central worship service of the Orthodox Church, celebrating the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Usually celebrated on Sundays and feast days, the Divine Liturgy consists of the Liturgy of the Word (scripture readings) and Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharistic prayer and communion). The most common forms are the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great.
The Hours
Brief prayer services traditionally celebrated at specific times of day: First Hour (6 AM), Third Hour (9 AM), Sixth Hour (noon), and Ninth Hour (3 PM). Each Hour includes psalms, troparia, and prayers appropriate to that time of day. These services sanctify the day and connect us to Christ's Passion, as they commemorate specific moments in His crucifixion and death.
Elevation of the Holy Cross
The commemoration of the finding of Christ's Cross by St. Helena and its elevation by St. Macarius for veneration. Celebrated on September 14th, this feast is both joyful (for the Cross's discovery) and solemn (remembering Christ's suffering). Flowers and basil are often blessed, and a strict fast is observed.
Sts. Juvenaly and Peter
The first Orthodox martyrs in Alaska, killed while bringing Christianity to native peoples. Celebrated on July 2nd, these monks were part of the original mission to Alaska and were martyred by hostile natives who later converted to Orthodoxy. They represent the sacrifice required for missionary work and the eventual triumph of the Gospel message.
St. Sergius of Radonezh
The 14th-century monk who founded the Trinity Lavra and renewed Russian monasticism. Celebrated on September 25th, Sergius established the monastery dedicated to the Trinity and inspired a spiritual revival in Russia. He blessed Prince Dmitri before the Battle of Kulikovo and represents the harmony between contemplative life and national service.
St. John the Theologian
The Apostle and Evangelist John, author of the Fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and Revelation. Known as "the Theologian" for his profound spiritual insights and "the Beloved Disciple" for his closeness to Christ. Celebrated on May 8th, his feast honors his unique witness to Christ's divine nature and his care for the Theotokos.
St. Innocent of Alaska
The missionary bishop who translated the liturgy and scriptures into native Alaskan languages. Celebrated on March 31st, Innocent (John Veniaminov) served as a priest and later bishop in Alaska and Siberia. He learned multiple native languages and created alphabets for languages that had none, earning him the title 'Apostle to America.'
Martyr Gorazd of Prague, Bohemia and Moravo-Cilezsk
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” [John 10:11]. “O Lord, make this man also, who has been proclaimed a steward of the episcopal grace, to be an imitator of You, the true Shepherd, Who laid down Your life for Your sheep....” [Prayer of…
Hieromartyr Babylas, Bishop of Antioch, and those with him
The Hieromartyr Babylas and with him the three youths Urban, Prilidian, Epolonius and their mother Christodoula died as martyrs under the emperor Decius (249-251). During his stay in their city of Antioch, the emperor arranged for a large festival in honor of the pagan gods. At the same time,…
The Holy Prophet and God-Seer Moses was of the tribe of Levi, the son of Abram and Jochabed (Exodus 6:20). His life is described in the Bible (Exodus 2 through Deuteronomy 34:12). Moses was born in Egypt around 1689 B.C. When Pharaoh ordered all male children of the Hebrew slaves to be killed…
Uncovering of the relics of Saint Joasaph, Bishop of Belgorod
Saint Joasaph was born at Proluka, in the former Poltava governance, on September 8, 1705, the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. He was descended from the old and venerable Little Russian (Ukrainian) lineage of the Gorlenkovi. At Baptism he was named Joachim. In 1712, his father…
Martyr Hermione, daughter of Saint Philip the Deacon
The Holy Virgin Martyr Hermione (Ἑρμιόνη) was one of the four daughters of Saint Philip the Deacon (October 11). She had the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:8), and devoted herself to apostolic labors. Desiring to see the Holy Apostle John the Theologian, Hermione and her sister Eutykhida…
Martyr Babylas of Nicomedia and 84 children with him
The Martyr Babylas and 84 disciples with him suffered in the city of Nicomedia for confessing Christianity during the reign of the emperor Maximian (284-305). The emperor, who was then in Nicomedia, renewed the persecution against Christians. Like many other believers, Saint Babylas was denounced…
Martyrs Theodore, Mianus, Julian, Kion, and Centurionus, of Nicomedia
The Holy Martyrs Theodore, Mianus (Ammianus), Julian and Kion (Oceanus) lived during the reign of Maximian (284-305)and were from the village of Quandababa (near Nicomedia). For confessing faith in Christ they were arrested and given over to torture. At first their bodies were torn with sharp iron…
One of the Old Testament prototypes pointing to the Mother of God is the Unburnt Bush - the Bush which Moses saw on Mount Horeb. It was on fire, but was not consumed (Exodus 3:2). This Bush signifies the Mother of God's sinless conception of Christ when the Holy Spirit came upon her and she was…
Second finding of the relics of Saint Metrophanes, Bishop of Voronezh
The Second finding of the relics of Saint Metrophanes of Voronezh took place in 1989. On March 22, 1998 Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow gave his blessing for the celebration of this Feast.
The future Igoumen Parthenios was born in 1815 in Elizavetgrad. On December 23, 1845, he was tonsured as a monk, and on April 8, 1846, he was ordained as a Heromonk. From July 1848, Father Parthenios was the Dean of the Korsun Monastery at Kherson; later he was the steward in the Kherson Bishop's…
Saint Simeon was raised at Davit-Gareji Monastery. He labored as a simple monk until he reached an advanced age, and was chosen to be abbot. Outstanding in virtue and humility, Saint Simeon was endowed by the Lord with the ability to work miracles. Once Saint Simeon became deathly ill and lay…