With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Pavlos, on Sunday, July 14/27, 2008, the newly-formed Mission parish of the Holy Mother of God (Panagia Axion Estin) in Palmyra, Virginia, which is near Charlottesville, held its inaugural liturgy.
Presiding were His Grace Bishop Christodoulos, and serving were Fr Patrick Danielson, who will be assigned to pastor the mission, and Fr Anastasios Hudson of St Mark's Orthodox Mission in Raleigh, North Carolina. Hieromonk Savvas of Holy Ascension Monastery chanted.
After Matins and the Divine Liturgy, His Grace performed the Blessing of Waters (agiasmo) on the spot where the organizers of the mission will construct a free-standing chapel.
Why do we follow the Old Orthodox Calendar?
a Because based on it, the First Ecumenical Council established the Paschal Canon and appointed that the feast of Holy Pascha may fall anywhere from March 22nd until April 25th, while with the New (Papal) Calendar it can fall as late at May 8th.
b The Gregorian (Papal) Calendar has been condemned by three Pan-Orthodox Councils under Patriarch Jeremiah Tranos (1583, 1587, 1589) Read more...
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...
2026 Youth Conference
Please join us for the 2026 youth conference in Upper Marlboro, MD! To learn more, visit the this page.
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...