The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America
...unequivocally, unreservedly and unambiguously rejects words and actions which perpetrate, support or encourage hatred, violence, racism, white supremacy, white nationalism or neo-Nazism. As Orthodox Christians, we believe that every human being is a child of God, created in His image and likeness, and therefore we are all brothers and sisters whatever our race, nationality or creed. (Statement of the Holy Synod of Bishops, Orthodox Church in America)
The evening prayer service of the Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated at sunset. Vespers includes psalms, hymns, scripture readings, and incense. On Saturday evenings, Great Vespers is often combined with the Sunday Divine Liturgy. The service marks the end of the liturgical day and prepares the faithful for rest and reflection.
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.
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.
Tithe/ Donations
The work of this parish is made possible only through the faithful giving of God's people. Give as the Lord leads. For the faithful of the parish the standard giving amount is a tithe (10%) of the material bounty with which God has blessed you. Remember, it all belongs to God. He gives us the blessing of stewarding His bounty.
General Announcements
Please ask the Warden or a Council Member to be added to our Notifications, Brotherhood, and/or Sisterhood group chats to best stay up to date!
Parish Food Pantry: The pantry is available to everyone in our parish and and in the neighboring communities. Please text (931) 305-9519 for questions or assistance.
Church Etiquette - When attending an Orthodox Church
Today's Saints
Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised
The Miracle of Saint Euphemia the All-Praised: The holy Great Martyr Euphemia (September 16) suffered martyrdom in the city of Chalcedon in the year 304, during the time of the persecution against Christians by the emperor Diocletian (284-305). One and a half centuries later, at a time when the…
Equal-to-the-Apostles Blessed Great Princess Olga (in Holy Baptism Helen)
Saint Olga, Equal of the Apostles, was the wife of the Kievan Great Prince Igor. The struggle of Christianity with paganism under Igor and Olga, who reigned after Oleg (+ 912), entered into a new phase. The Church of Christ in the years following the reign of Igor (+ 945) became a remarkable…
The Hieromartyr Kindeos was a priest in the village of Talmenia (Sidḗ in Pamphylia) in Asia Minor. At that time Emperor Diocletian was persecuting the Christians. Even so, Saint Kindeos labored tirelessly to spread the message of the Gospel. For this reason, he was denounced to the eparch…
The Rzhevsk (or Okovetsk) Icon of the Mother of God is from the Rzhevets Monastery in Poltava. On May 26, 1539, on the day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost), in Tver diocese, in Vyryshensk town situated in a virgin forest on the bank of the rivulet Vyryshna in the Okovetsk district, not…
The New Monastic Martyr ÎťikĎŚdÄ“mos came from Elbasan, a town of Epirus (Albania) and was raised by devout parents. When he reached a suitable age, he married a Christian woman and they had several children. Since he associated with Turks, he was influenced by them and became a Moslem. He even…
In the VI century the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara (December 4) were transferred from Heliopolis to Constantinople, and in the XII century Princess Barbara, the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komnenos (reigned 1081-1118) married the Russian Prince Michael Izyaslavich, bringing…
Saint Arcadius of Vyazma and Novotorsk was from the city of Vyazma of pious parents, who from childhood taught him prayer and obedience. The gentle, perceptive, prudent and good youth chose for his ascetic feat of being a fool-for-Christ. He lived by alms, and slept wherever he found himself,…
Finding of the Relics of Saint Hilarion, Archbishop of Verey
The New Hieromartyr Hilarion (Troitsky) fell asleep in the Lord on December 15, 1929 after spending six years in labor camps. When Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov) of Leningrad obtained permission from the authorities to take Saint Hilarion's body from the prison hospital for burial, he vested him…