Visit of Metropolitan Demetrius to Guatemala, February 2016

His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius, traveled to Guatemala to celebrate the feast days of St Xenia of Saint Petersburg, and Saint Ignatius the God-bearer.

His Eminence celebrated the customary all-night vigil at the Church of Saint Xenia of Saint Petersburg on February 5, serving into the early hours of February 6.

Afterwards, preparations were made at the hermitage of Saint Ignatius the God-bearer with the help of the local inhabitants of Santa Cruz, Neranja, around a two hour distance from Guatemala City. The hermitage is situated in a beautiful isolated area, with a magnificent view. The area is very safe and the local inhabitants, although quite poor, are very protective of the hermitage. Over 70 faithful and catechumens attended the Holy Services at an outdoor liturgy served by His Eminence and Deacon Cyrilo Mendoza, in Spanish.

His Eminence has assigned Priestmonk Maximos, who is fluent in Spanish, to help overlook the Latin American missions. Priestmonk Maximos will have catechism classes on a regular basis. We ask the faithful to pray for our faithful in Guatemala.

2016guatemala001
2016guatemala001
2016guatemala002
2016guatemala002

Orthodox Awareness

A Miracle of Saint Spyridon

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.

Missions

Saint Matthew the Evangelist, Jonesboro, Arkansas

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...

Youth

2026 Youth Conference

Please join us for the 2026 youth conference in Upper Marlboro, MD! To learn more, visit the this page.

Ask A Priest

Is the GOC Insular?

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...