The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America was founded in 1973 through the vision of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) of Thrice-Blessed Memory and from that time up until the present day, it has been a beloved organization of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese. Our purpose is to develop among the women a spirit of Christian leadership, awareness, and commitment; to foster a genuine expression of love and service through works of charity; and to install a sense of fellowship and a deeper understanding of our Holy Orthodox Faith. We are a "Sisterhood Serving Christ Through Serving Others." The Antiochian Women have chapters in all the parishes and dioceses but come together for communication and collaboration through the North American Board (NAB), which consists of officers, coordinators, and delegates from each diocese. We welcome women from the ages of 19 to 99 to join us in our ministry, remembering that EVERY woman in the Antiochian Archdiocese is an "Antiochian Woman!"
ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN PRAYER
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
O Christ our God, we are all pledged to serve Thee with our whole being. Help us to continue to work for Thee through our Church without seeking praise, without seeking personal gain, without judging others, without a feeling that we have worked hard enough and now must allow ourselves rest. Give us strength to do what is right and help us to go on striving and to remember that activities are not the main thing in life. The most important thing is to have our hearts directed and attuned to Thee. Amen.
The women of the parish, ages 19 and up, are welcome to join in at the Antiochian Women meetings. New mothers with exclusively nursing babies are welcome to bring their infants.
Teen SOYO brings its members to a deeper devotion to the Holy Orthodox Church, its faith, canons and worship. Teen SOYO creates and fosters ministries to encourage Members to commit themselves to living the Orthodox Faith daily. The combination of Worship, Witness, Service and Fellowship are the natural expressions of that commitment. The ultimate goal of Teen SOYO is to fully integrate each teen into the full life of the Church, to create a safe and nurturing environment for teenagers to grow in Christ, and to form spiritual and social bonds between each individual so that a profound and life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ and His Holy Church can be realized.
Troparion of St John Chrysostom: Patron Saint of SOYO
Grace shining forth from your lips like a beacon has enlightened the universe. It has shown to the
world the riches of poverty. It has revealed to us the heights of humility. Teaching us by your
words, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede before the Word, Christ our God, to save our souls.
Teen SOYO is open to the youth of the parish ages 13-19. Parents must register their children in the SOYO program.
Altar servers assist the clergy during Divine services.
Altar servers are males who are at least 9 years of age, baptised/chrismated Orthodox Christians in good standing. Altar servers are scheduled in a regular rotation. If you are unable to attend on a week you are scheduled please contact the Deacon as soon as possible.
For those intersted in becoming an altar server please contact Deacon for more information.
The primary goal of the Antiochian Men is to help each other become more like God. Our priority is to model our lives after the Holy Trinity.
Serving the Church: identify the needs of the our parish and work to meet those unique needs
Be Positive Role Models: mentorship for younger men
Appropriating the Gospel of Christ: applying wisdom and the life within the Orthodox tradition to the circumstances facing men today.
Fellowship with a Spiritual Focus: being prayer leaders in the church, communicate circumstances where prayers is need and actively pray for those in need, organize and encourage regular fellowship events.
Men in the parish ages 18 and up are welcome to join.
The Christian Education ministry at St. Mary's is dedicated to partnering with parents in the raising of our children in the "one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic" faith of our fathers which has been preserved and passed down to us within the teachings of the Holy Orthodox Church. It is our endeavor to help students understand not only what the Bible teaches, what happens during services, and the meaning of all the sacraments, but also the primary importance of connecting with God through our prayer life both as an individual, and together as a family and community. We strive to meet students where they are and provide opportunities for them to connect with God, each other and to serve others.
Sunday school is available to the youth of the parish: ages 4-13. Parents must register their children in the sunday school and SOYO programs.
"Of all holy works, the education of children is the most holy."
+St. Theophan the Recluse
"Sometimes called the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Orthodox Church is the first Christian Church, the Church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ and described in the pages of the New Testament. Her history can be traced in unbroken continuity all the way back to Christ and His Twelve Apostles. For twenty centuries, she has continued in her undiminished and unaltered faith and practice. Today her apostolic doctrine, worship, and structure remain intact. The Orthodox Church maintains that the Church is the living Body of Jesus Christ."
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.
Today’s Gospel reading is Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the Last Judgment. It reminds us that while trusting in Christ’s love and mercy, we must not forget His righteous judgment when He comes again in glory. If our hearts remain hardened and unrepentant, we should not expect the…
Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who was “fruitful in every good work” (Col. 1:10), was born in the first century, and lived in Smyrna in Asia Minor. He was orphaned at an early age, but at the direction of an angel, he was raised by the pious widow Kallista. After the death of his…
Saint Polycarp of Briansk, in the world, was Prince Peter Ivanovich Boryatinsky, a descendant of Saint Michael, Prince of Chernigov (September 20). This supposition has been put forward because Boryatinsky is connected with the destiny of the Briansk Savior Transfiguration monastery. The name of…
Saint John, disciple of Saint Limnaeus (February 22), lived in Syria in the fifth century, and chose for himself the ascetic struggle of “a shelterless life.” He settled on a hill, sheltered from the wind on all sides, and lived there for twenty-five years. He ate only bread and salt,…
Saints Antiochus and Antoninus also lived in asceticism with Saint John. They continued their ascetical struggles until they reached an advanced age, offering an example of spiritual strength, and overcoming every obstacle.
Saint Moses lived in Syria in the fifth century. Imitating Saint John, he settled on a high mountain near the village of Rama. He was a disciple of Saint Polychronius, and lived with him. Emulating his Elder in everything, Saint Moses was the very model of an austere ascetical life. Saint Moses…
Saint Zebinas lived in Syria during the fifth century. He lived an ascetical life on the same mountain as Saint Moses. He never sat down during his Rule of prayer, but sometimes he leaned on his staff. The neighboring inhabitants venerated Saint Zebinas, and they received great help in their…
Saint Polychronius lived in Syria in the fifth century. He was the disciple of Saint Zebinas, and imitated the life of his Elder, spending both day and night in fasting and vigil. Saint Polychronius had no chains, but he dug up a heavy oaken root from the earth and carried it on his shoulders when…
Saint Damian lived in Syria in the fifth century. He withdrew to a monastery named Ieros and lived there in asceticism. In his cell he had only a small box of lentils from which he ate.
Saint Alexander, Founder of the Monastery of the “Unsleeping Ones,” was born in Asia and received his education at Constantinople. He spent some time in military service but, sensing a calling to other service, he left the world and received monastic tonsure in one of the desert…
Saint Damian lived in the thirteenth century. He was a hesychast on Mt. Athos, and struggled in the skete of Esphigmenou monastery, on a mountain called Samareia, between the monasteries of Hilandar and Esphigmenou, and also in one of the caves where the Father of Russian Monasticism, Saint Anthony…
Saint Damian of Philotheou was a disciple of Saint Dometius (August 7). He was from the village of Richovon (Merichovon) near Agrapha. He went to Mt. Athos when he was quite young, and received the monastic tonsure at Philotheou Monastery. After spending some time there, he withdrew to a hermitage…
No information available at this time.
Most of the information about Saint Gorgonia (Γοργονία) comes from her brother, Saint Gregory the Theologion (January 25) in his Oration VIII, "On his Sister Gorgonia," which was delivered sometime after their brother Saint Caesarius (March 9) went to the Lord in 369, and before the repose…
