Becoming Orthodox Christian
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this:
to visit orphans and widows in their trouble,
and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)
We are a small Orthodox Christian Missionary community serving the needs of our immediate neighbors in SW Detroit, MI. We offer weekly Divine Services including Sunday Eucharistic Liturgy. The presence of a praying, sacramental community nourishes our missionaries as well as our neighbors.
At our Community Center next door to the church we have weekly activities which involve feeding, clothing and providing spiritual nourishment for those in need. All are welcome in this setting.
Our mission parish is partnered with Orthodox Detroit Outreach. Through this organization hundreds of Orthodox Christians volunteer time, talents and resources in service to Christ in our neighbors.
We strive together to follow the great commandments to love God through actively loving all whom we serve. We meet people where they are-sometimes struggling with temporal and spiritual poverty: hunger, homelessness, addiction, confusion, loneliness, and despair. Behind these struggles we strive to see and affirm the good, and ultimately the Christ in each one. This love and acceptance is healing for us all, and can bring us closer together.
Sometimes our neighbors come to pray and worship with us at Sunday Liturgy. Our doors are always open to all. Sometimes an individual will show greater interest in the Orthodox Faith and enquire about entering the Sacramental Life of the Orthodox Church.
This path of the catechumenate usually requires regular participation in the worship services, and ongoing spiritual and educational preparation with the parish priest. This path of inquiry and preparation may require one year or more.
This is generally a time where each individual will better understand what it means to live an Orthodox Christian Way of life, and to be faithful to the Teachings of Christ through His Holy Church. This includes a commitment to a moral and ethical way of life in accordance with the Gospel Teachings and Orthodox Christian doctrine, as affirmed ongoing by our synod of bishops.
When individuals are prepared to confirm this by their “amen” they come into sacramental communion in the Body of Christ.
