On Sunday, January 24/February 6, 2022 the Cathedral Parish of Saint Mark of Ephesus celebrated its 50 year anniversary. The parish was established in the year 1971, 51 years ago, but due to factors out of our control, we had to wait a year for the celebration.
The festivities began Saturday evening with the Vespers service presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Demetrius. On Sunday, the Matins service and the Hierarchical Liturgy was celebrated. In his sermon on the Gospel reading for Zacchaeus Sunday, His Eminence explained that those who are away from God are spiritually low (close to the earth), but those who seek Christ, like Zacchaeus, are lifted up.
After the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the parish continued the festivities. At the dinner, His Eminence spoke about his own experiences and personal relationships with the parishioners of St. Mark, who hold a special place in his heart. His Eminence was consecrated to the Episcopacy at the Cathedral of St Mark in 2006.
Fr Christos Constantinou, who was the Parish Priest from 1977 until 2014, spoke about the history of the Parish. Protodeacon Demetrius Houlares, who has been serving St. Mark since 1990, spoke about the many ministries and accomplishments of the Parish. Fr George Kamberidis, the current Parish priest, spoke about the parish’s confession of the Orthodox faith, and stressed to the younger generations that it was their responsibility to make sure that they remained steadfast in the faith, and with our Lord’s help continue to support the parish which they have inherited, for another 50 years.
On behalf of the Parish of St. Mark, His Eminence acknowledged and thanked the clergy for their services to the Parish. Fr George also thanked Patricia Vlachos for her 39 years of service to the Parish’s bookstore. Parish Council President Paul Fitopoulos then thanked Fathers Christos and George for their dedication, service, and love for Christ’s Church and the Parish of St. Mark. On behalf of the entire parish, His Eminence presented gifts to those who were acknowledged. Before His Eminence closed the festivities with prayer, the choir of St. Mark chanted a few hymns for the parishioners.
St. Mark, the defender of Orthodoxy, has guided and protected the parish for over 51 years. We are grateful to our Lord and Savior for the Church, and for the community, brotherhood and fellowship we have shared over the years. May we honor our patron saint by remaining steadfast in the Orthodox Faith, and may we continue to serve our Lord and worship Him fully and truthfully.
This miracle of Saint Spyridon took place in Mandra, Greece in 1926.
It was 12/25 December, 1926. The state Church of Greece adopted the Papal calendar and with the help of the Greek government persecuted all those who did not accept the Papal calendar. The faithful Orthodox Christians of Mandra woke up and headed to their Church to celebrate the Feast of Saint Spyridon. When they reached the Church they saw that the door to the Church had been secured with chains and the faithful could not enter. Before leaving the Church to return to their homes they stuck their candles on the door. As soon as the last person placed his candles on the door
the chains broke and fell. The faithful, confirmed in their Faith, entered the Church and celebrated the Feast of Saint Spyridon.
The miracle was reported the next day by the newspaper Skrip.
Jonesboro is a town located near the Eastern border of Arkansas, with a population of approximately 60,000. From a human standpoint, it’s not the most likely candidate for a traditional Orthodox mission, but for an Orthodox Christian who orders his priorities around Christ and His Church, it makes perfect sense. Read more...
2023 Youth Conference
Please join us for the 2023 youth conference in Chicago, IL! To learn more, visit the home page or visit the conference website.
Q. In considering becoming part of the GOC in America, I am getting warnings from various circles that the attitude of GOC people is that of being “walled off,” “arrogant,” “judgmental,” and “in your face” toward those not in the Genuine Orthodox Church, with accusations such as “World Orthodox” priests are “not even Christians” and the like. Could you give me your personal, realistic assessment of this dynamic and possibly refer me to an official statement on how GOC members should and do relate to and communicate with those in “World Orthodoxy”? Read more...