Articles

Holy Mother of God, Charlottesville, Virginia

Fr. Anastasios Hudson

Tuesday, 16 March 2010 14:13

Maria never thought she would start a Church. However, God creates circumstances which cause people to do things they never planned to do. She had family members that were Old Calendarists and she had even attended services at St. Markella’s Cathedral many years ago. But that all became a memory, as life’s changes brought her to her own marriage, raising children, and living in diverse locations.Charlottesville, Virginia became her and her husband's home a few years ago. They settled in to the comfortable routine of worshiping in the local New Calendar parish.

In 2007, though things started to change. There were disputes between parishioners, the Council, the priest and the Metropolitan of that area over the title to the property of the Charlottesville parish. Charlottesville’s parish had survived as an independent parish for decades whereas other GOA parishes had long since deeded the titles of their properties over to their respective Metropolises per the Archdiocese charter. Charlottesville’s priest accomplished this during his short tenure as well. Consequently, a lawsuit ensued and Maria was part of the group that successfully challenged those actions.

She began to feel a heavy burden in her heart. The faith that had sustained her seemed to be choking her. She knew that Holy Orthodoxy gives life, not death and she reasoned something was wrong. She researched the Internet, re-discovered the Old Calendar Church and suddenly, it all clicked. No longer content to argue about property, Maria and her husband began to question the very basis of the New Calendar Archdiocese. Over the years it had led to several deviations from traditional Orthodox praxis; the Calendar itself, clergy imitating Western styles of dress, a lack of fasting, and the nonexistence in many parts of the Holy Mystery of Confession.

She contacted the Cathedral and spoke with Bishop Christodoulos.

“Without hesitation he offered to come down and meet us,” Maria recounts, still amazed, two years later. “I could sense the love and concern in his voice. He looked at his schedule, and set a date. May 24, he was there.”

Bishop Christodoulos came with Thomas Bezas, the Executive Secretary of the Metropolitan Council. Also present were Fr. Patrick Danielson, a former clergyman of our Metropolis residing in Florida, and also then-Deacon Anastasios Hudson, who drove up from Raleigh, North Carolina to be there. Nineteen people were at that meeting and there was a lively question-and-answer session.

Plans were made to return for a liturgy, which occurred in July 2008. Present were the bishop, Fr. Patrick, now-Fr. Anastasios, and Fr. Savvas (Anastasiou). There were several visitors from the first meeting and it was a blessed day for all.

In June of 2008, her husband was baptized in New York at St. Markella’s Cathedral and was given the name of Joseph. With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Pavlos, the mission was named Παναγία Άξιον Εστίν (Panagia Axion Estin) after the revered Icon, and is known in English as Holy Mother of God Orthodox Mission.

Despite the temporary setback of not having a priest at the small mission,

Bishop Christodoulos and Fr. Anastasios assured the mission’s members they would not be abandoned . In August 2009, Fr. Anastasios returned to liturgize. Present were new visitors who had heard of the mission. Ten people worshipped together in spirit and truth.

“It was a real pleasure for me to serve them,” remarked Fr. Anastasios. “I love going there. You have a great group of people, from diverse backgrounds: Greeks, Russians, and converts all working together for the salvation of their souls and their neighbors. Each person at the liturgy went to great lengths to attend. Their strong faith brought them together from as far away as West Virginia and Pennsylvania to worship Christ. The love that is present in these small missions sustains them, me and encourages us to constantly increase our efforts.”

The most recent liturgy occurred in February with the addition of two more new families who have found our Church. A website was established, and plans were made to hold a liturgy once every three months. As the community grows, another priest has been identified to rotate with Fr. Anastasios, thus increasing the frequency to possibly every two months. When a priest is not available, Reader’s services celebrated.

This community, located in Central Virginia near Charlottesville, is young and has already experienced one setback in its short existence. Yet the people there are committed to True Orthodoxy and refuse to back down in the face of adversity. There is an excitement in the air as the mission develops and more faithful continue to come.

If you are Orthodox or are interested in the Orthodox Church, you are invited to contact us for more information. We would welcome your visit. See our website for more information.

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