DIRECTIONS TO SOUTHSIDE LIONS PARK FOR PASCHA PICNIC, APRIL 12^th, 4 pm

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS WITH GOOGLE MAPS

From St. Anthony Orthodox Church:

1. Take Carolina St. to Hwy. 37 and go south approx. 2.4 miles to IH-10 East / US 90 East
2. Go approx.  .5 miles to Exit 577 for Roland Ave / US 87 (Whataburger & Super 8 Motel)
3. Turn right on Roland /US 87 and go .7 miles on Roland (crossing Rigsby Rd. & past The Smokehouse BBQ) to Pecan Valley Drive (this is a 4-way stop with flashing lights).
4. Turn right on Pecan Valley Drive and go approx.  .8 miles to Hiawatha Street.
5. Turn left on Hiawatha Street and enter the park.
6. Turn left at the drive that circles the lake and go approx 100 feet to the playground area. We have a reserved pavilion next to the lake.

If you need help with directions, contact Fr. Leo at (210) 324-4385,  Tina Gilson at (210) 213-0683 or Patrick Burnham at (713) 907-8509.

Our next Mobile Food Bank will be May 17th from 10–11:30 a.m.  Voluteers should arrive at 9:00 to help set up.  Our previous (first) Food Bank was a huge success, so we hope it continues and grows!  Please join us and participate in this vital ministry that fulfills our Lord's commandment to feed the hungry and minster to those in need.

On Wednesdays evenings following the Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts (March 5, 9, 12, 21, 26 & April 2), Fr. Leo will be presenting short talks on basic Orthodox Christian teachings during our meal to break the fast. Everyone who can is asked to please bring a dish or dessert to share with the group

The Sisterhood will be providing hot plates of blini for next Sunday’s Cheesefare luncheon, but ask parishioners to bring the usual side dishes – fruit, herring, jams / preserves / syrups, sour cream, caviar, butter, and chopped eggs, any desserts that make the best of eggs and butter, and milk for the kids. 

It’s never too early to start planning for Great Lent. To celebrate as a community in Christ, a parish party is planned for Sunday, February 23rd, to enjoy the beginning of Meatfare (the last date for eating meat before Great Lent on March 3rd). More information will be available soon.

Fr. David Rucker, Associate Missions Director of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) will present Part 2 of his retreat on Orthodox evangelism, “The Great Commission or Omission: What Does Our Parish Embrace?” on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 1–4pm.  Light refreshments will be provided and the lecture will conclude with Vespers at 5 p.m. On Sunday, February 9th, Fr. Rucker will address the Church School about the importance of missionary work.

St. Anthony's will be sponsoring its first mobile food bank in partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank in February. If you are or know someone in need, or would like to volunteer to help, please speak with Parish Council member Patrick Quilty for more details.

The teen group will host a luncheon following liturgy on Sunday, January 26th. Please join us and donate generously to support the youth and their activities!

The Sisterhood and Brotherhood will co-sponsor a luncheon on Sunday, January 19th in honor of our patron, St. Anthony the Great.  All are welcome to join us in celebrating.  O Holy Father Anthony, pray for us!

Meet Saturday January 12th 12:00pm at WOODLAWN LAKE PIER

Service begins at 12:00pm

§  Pan Orthodox invitation

§  Complimentary Pizza Luncheon served in the pavilion afterwards

§  Bring the Whole Family

Parking available in the BOAT RAMP PARLING LOT 
Park Website 
Address: 1103 Cincinnati, 78201

The Sisterhood will hold its annual yard sale on Saturday, October 20th.  Donations for the yard sale may be dropped off at the church on Thursday (18th) from 10:30am-12:30pm and Friday (19th) from 2:00pm-7:00pm.

The next teen event is a bowling get-together at Main Event, located in the Legacy shopping center at the corner of 1604 and 281. The outing will be held on Sunday, Aug. 19 following social hour.  Hope everyone can make it!

Our next work day is Saturday, August 11th.  We will meet at the church at 8:00 a.m.

The St. Macrina Sisterhood and the women of St. Ephraim Antiochian Orthodox Church will co-sponsor a Bible study series on peacemaking and conflict resolution in the Church.  The class will meet eight times on various Saturdays at 4 p.m., beginning on July 28th (full schedule below).  The classes will be led by Veronica Ibarra of St. Ephraim's, and both Fr. Leo and Fr. John Mefrige will attend.  All women of the parish are invited and encouraged to participate.

July 28th - St. Ephraim's

August 11- St. Ephraim's

August 25 - St. Ephraim's

September 22 - St. Anthony's

October 6 - St. Ephraim's

October 27 - St. Anthony's

Nov. 17 - St. Anthony's

The annual "Pascha Picnic" will be next Sunday following the Agape Vespers at 2:00 p.m.  Please find the sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall and volunteer to bring your favorite feasting item to share!  Location and directions for the picnic will be available at Holy Week services.

On Sunday March 25th, the St. Anthony’s Teen Group will host a fish fry following Divine Liturgy for the traditional dispensation from strict fasting on the celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation.  A suggested $5 per person donation will help our teens raise funds for their meetings, fun activities, and charitable causes.

This weekend is the Sunday of Orthodoxy, when we commemorate the Church's victory over the iconoclasts and the restoration of icons for use in services and private devotional life.  PLEASE BRING YOUR ICONS TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY!  In keeping with tradition, we will process around the temple to celebrate this observance.  The procession is not just for children!  All are encouraged to bring an icon of their patron saint.

The Brotherhood met on Saturday, February 25th to brew their first batch of St. Anthony's Ale! (official name to be determined)  We will meet again on March 17th to bottle that batch and brew another.  All men are welcome and encouraged to join in!

The Adult Education Class has decided to meet every Saturday in March, from 4:45-5:45, to continue their discussion of the Book of Genesis.  All are welcome to join in this study of the Scripture!

The Brotherhood will meet after Vespers this Wednesday, February 15th, at Jeff Bryant's home (two blocks from the temple).  We hope to see you there!

In keeping with tradition, the Brotherhood will prepare the coffee hour luncheon for Meatfare Sunday, February 19th.  Please talk to Michael Farris to sign up for whatever you'd like to bring.

Fr. John and the congregation of our sister parish, St. Ephraim Antiochian Orthodox Church, invite us to join them in celebrating their patronal feast, The Repose of the Venerable Ephraim the Syrian:

Sunday, January 29 - The teen group will be hosting the coffee hour luncheon.  Please come help out!

Attention, St. Anthony's youth!  Camp St. Raphael, the summer camp of the Antiochian Archdiocese, is now taking applications!  Bryan Mason is coordinating getting a group of our youth together to attend.

The Brotherhood will meet at the temple at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday December 17th to attend to the maintenance of the church grounds.

The Sunday School will present its Christmas pageant on Sunday December 18th immediately following the Liturgy.  We hope everyone will join us for this celebration of our Savior's birth!

Wednesday December 14, immediately following Vespers, at Jeff Bryant's home (two blocks from the temple)

When: May (date TBD)

Exact date & location TBD.

Location:  Steven's home, 16702 Lilly Crest Dr., SA TX 78232

Time:  7:00PM

Location:  Steven Baine's house, 16702 Lilly Crest Dr.

Time:  7:00PM

Spiritual Discussion Leader:  John Tolleson, on the book Steps of Transformation, by Fr. Meletios Weber

Directions:  <Click here for a map/directions>

- When going North on 281, exit Donella.

- Turn right at light on Donella and immediate right onto Silverwood.

- Take the first right onto Springhill Dr. and Lilly Crest is the first left.

- Steven's house is the first house on the right.

Location: Gregg Gerasimon's home, 210-858-8938

Spritual Discussion Lead by: Steven Baine

Topic:  Living the Liturgy - How the Divine Liturgy can become exciting, rewarding and meaningful to you.

Address:  5425 N. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio

Directions:   Near corner of N. New Braunfels & Chichester, across the street from where Bartlett Place hits N. New Braunfels

Location:  Steven Baine's house, 16702 Lilly Crest Dr.

Time:  7:00PM

Location:  TBD

Time:  7:00PM

The curriculum this year focuses on the parables.

We welcome all children to join us for spiritual growth.

June 19, 10 am at 16702 Lilly Crest. 

Christ is Risen!  Bring candy filled eggs to share!

Children will receive a blessed palm fond to take home.

The March newsletter is now available on the website.  Click on the toolbar, "Monthly Newsletter."  This issue contains the schedule of lenten services.  These Liturgies of the Presanctified Gifts will be served in conjunction with our sister parishes of Saint Sophia and Saint Ephraim.  Information is also available regarding the important, 30th Anniversary Celebration at Saint Anthony's scheduled for the last weekend in September.

Father Leo will be conducting a Confession Class for elementary age children and up.

Please check the church schedule for these Wednesday services until holy week as St. Anthony's, St. Efram's, and St. Sophia's will be rotating hosting. We encourage the children to attend as many of these as possible. They are beautiful! We do understand that they will get to bed later that night (us too) but once in awhile it is OK, for the right reason. We also meet other people from other churches.

Children should bring their icons from home to use during the procession following Liturgy.

Look for a sign-up sheet a few Sundays before. Proceeds will be used to purchase school supplies.

We will be watching 1 or 2 presentations from a series called "Enter In".  The set includes sixteen video pesentations, each being 15 minutes long.  Twelve examine the major feasts of Christ and the Theotokos, and the remaining four explore the meaning and purpose of Christian worship in the context of the Church's annual liturgical cycle.  There are interviews, music, festal hymns, icons, visuals, plus questions for discussion at the end of each presentation. All (including the brotherhood) are welcome to attend.

The Sunday School students will support the Catholic Worker House with donations of socks, underwear, warm clothing, and non-perishable food items.  In the month of January, donation boxes will be available in the fellowship hall.  Please support the Sunday School students in this act of charity.

The next rehearsal of the Choir on Friday, October 10, has been CHANGED to Sunday, October 5, 7 pm.  This rehearsal will be held at the Vranes residence at 2203 Fawnfield Lane.  This change is an attempt to have a rehearsal at a more centralized location that may be convenient to more potential singers.

The choir is looking into the possibility of singing Christmas songs on a downtown river barge during the Christmas season.

The October monthly newsletter is now available on the website.

Emily Ann Spence, daughter of Meredith and Ann Spence, graduated Magna Cum Laude from James Madison High School in June  2008. She was a member of the National Junior Classical League Latin Honor Society, Yearbook Committee, and a Candidate for Texas Scholar. Emily holds the rank of First Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. She has been an active member of the St. Anthony Church School for nine years and recently served as secretary for the St. Macrina Sisterhood.

Emily has enrolled in Texas Tech University in Lubbock on a University Endowed Scholarship. She plans to study psychology.  Her long term goal is to attend law school.  We wish Emily every success in her educational endeavors.

A Pan-Orthodox Choir under the direction of Fr. Mark Sahady has been formed.  Fr. Mark has extensive choral training and experience.  He serves as a Chaplain at Lackland Air Force Base.

The Choir participated in the the Riverwalk Christmas festivities, on Sunday evening, November 30, by singing on one of the floating barges.

The next rehearsal will be held on Saturday, February 7th at 4 pm at Saint Anthony Church.  For further information, contact Robert Vranes (for Saint Anthony's) or Gail McDonald (for Saint Ephraim's).

The next venue for the Choir will be Pan-Orthodox Sunday Vespers at Saint Anthony Church on March 8th at 6 pm.

Jake Baine, son of Steven Baine, received the Chi-Rho  God and Country scouting award on June 22.  The award was presented by his pastor, Fr. Leo Poore.  Jake and his father have been active in scouting activities for a number of years.  Jake attends church school at Saint Anthony's.  Best wishes to Jake.

Steven Baine and Jennifer Moore, communicants of Saint Anthony Church, were united in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony on June 22.  Rev. Fr. Leo Poore officiated.  Many friends and family members were in attendance.  We wish peace, health, prosperity, visitation, and long life to Steven and Jennifer.

Following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 31, the Church School students will provide and ice cream social in lieu of the regular, coffee hour.  Your donation will be dedicated for the purchase of materials and supplies for the Church School.

The 2008-2009 Church School Staff will meet at 5 pm on Saturday, August 2 to plan for the upcoming school year.  Ann Spence serves as the co-ordinator for the Church School.

The Church School students will meet at 4 pm on Thursday, August 14, prior to Vespers for the Dormition of the Most-holy Theotokos.  The students will prepare tissue paper flowers to adorn the icon of the feast.  Pizza will be served prior to Vespers.

The Saint Macrina Sisterhood will meet at the same time.  Cleaning of the kitchen will be one of their agenda items.

A pool party will be held at the Spence home on Saturday, September 6, 12 noon, in celebration of the beginning of the Church School year on Sunday, September 7, at 9 am.

Saint Joseph Brotherhood will meet on Saturday, May 10, at 7:30 for maintenance of the church grounds.  The wood floors are being detailed this week and the church appointments will returned to their proper places.  Contact Steven Baine for more information.

Clergy and parishioners from St. Sophia Greek Orthodox and St. Ephraim Orthodox Church will join Very Rev. Fr. Leo Poore and parishioners of St. Anthony Orthodox Church for Bright Saturday Paschal Liturgy on Saturday, May 3, at St. Anthony's at 10 am.

On Great and Holy Wednesday, April 23rd, nearly 50 people gathered to be annointed with Holy Unction for the healing of soul and body.

The Church's practice of anointing with holy oil for the healing of soul and body dates back to Apostolic times, when St. James wrote, "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters (priests) of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:14) 

An Agape Meal will follow the Vespers of Love on the Sunday afternoon of Pascha, April 27th.  Vespers will begin at 1 pm and will conclude at 2 pm.  Then we will head out to the Oak Ridge Pointe subdivision near the corner of Loop 1604 and Bandera Road.  The meal will begin at 3 pm.  A sign up sheet for food preparation and map will be available in the Fellowship Hall.  This has always been a popular event and we look forward to seeing all of you there.  Contact Jennifer Moore or Steven Baine for more information.

The Parish Council will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 8th, 7 pm, at the Fellowship Hall.  This will be the first meeting of the newly elected 2008 Council Members.

Saint Joseph Brotherhood will meet at 7:30 am on Satuday, November 10th^th for further beautification of the church grounds with taco breakfast to follow.    See Nick Ozerov for further information.

The  Parish Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 18^th, following Divine Liturgy.  A luncheon will be provided.  Your attendance and participation at this meeting is necessary to plan for 2008 parish life activities.  This will include reports from the Pastor and various ministries, 2007 Financial Report, adoption of 2008 Budget, report on the Ceiling Icon Project, and election of officers for Parish Council.

Mr. James Yankovich, a parishioner at Saint Anthony’s, will offer a Financial Seminar at the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, September 15^th, at 4 pm.  Please plan to attend.

Saint Macrina Sisterhood will hold a Yard Sale on the church grounds on Saturday, October 6th.   There is a special  need for the following items: adult and children's clothing, household items, electronics, books,and children's toys.  Bring your items to the Fellowship Hall during the week prior to the yard sale.  Please price your items accordingly.  For more information contact Nancy Smith.

Fr. Deacon Timothy Goetting has relocated to Illinois as a result of a job opportunity.  Dcn. Timothy served his final liturgy at Saint Anthony’s on Sunday, August 26^th.  He was ordained and served at Saint Anthony’s for the past two and one half years.   May God grant him His blessings in his new job and the continuation of his deaconate ministry in Illinois in the Diocese of the Midwest.

The local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous has begun holding its weekly meeting at the Saint Anthony Church Fellowship Hall on Thursdays at 8 pm.  If you wish to attend, please contact Doug at 210.313.8646

The Charities & Benevolence Ministry provides a dinner to the residents and staff members of the Catholic Worker House on the 2nd Friday evening each month. Two volunteers are needed to host the dinner each month. On the Thursday before the dinner, a call is placed to the Catholic Worker House to determine how many people need to be fed. Volunteer hosts are invited to join the residents and staff or they may choose to drop off the dinner they are providing.

The Worker House is located at 603 Nolan. Dinner is served at 6 pm. A staff member may be reached at 244-7736 or 271-3630. Volunteers are needed for the September and November dinners. Please contact Veronica Ibarra at 273-1570 to serve as a volunteer host.

Thank you for your participation.

Steve and Jake Baine have returned from a successful mission endeavor to Mexico where they assisted in the construction of a two room home.  Steve will share photos of his journey with a PowerPoint presentation to follow Divine Liturgy on Sunday, July 22nd, in the Fellowship Hall.   Donations are still welcome to offset the costs involved in Steve's journey.  For more information on Project Mexico and the St. Innocent Orphanage, visit their website @ www.projectmexico.org.

The Saint Anthony Church School will begin classes for the 2007-08 school year on Sunday, September 9th at 9:00 am.  The students will meet in the temple for a prayer to be offered by Fr. Leo.  This year there will be four classes:  preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school.   Fr. Leo Poore will also conduct an Adult Bible Study class during the same time period.

The beginning of the school year will be preceded with a pool party at the home of Nick Ozerov, 107 Hill Country Lane, from Noon to 3 pm, on Saturday, September 8th.

Each year the church school students participate in several charity endeavors.  The first project will include all the students.  The high school and middle school classes will plann a menu, purchase food, and prepare a dinner for the residents at the Catholic Worker House, a temporary residence for homeless families. The younger students will be make decorations and place mats for the November event.  Other charity projects will be announced.  Ann Spence serves as Church School Co-ordinator.

Saint Macina Sisterhood will meet on Sunday, July 8th, at 2 pm at the home of Fr. Leo.  Please contact Nancy Smith, Sisterhood Coordinator for more information, including directions to Fr. Leo's home.

The St. Joseph Brotherhood will sponsor a lenten luncheon following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 10th, in the Fellowship Hall.  All proceeds will benefit missionary work in Mexico.  Please contact Randy Keeth for more details or to assist in food preparation.

The St. Joseph Brotherhood will sponsor a lenten luncheon following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 10th, in the Fellowship Hall.  All proceeds will benefit missionary work in Mexico.  Please contact Randy Keeth for more details or to assist in food preparation.

Elijah Moore, newborn son of Stephen and Larissa Moore, will be received into the Holy Orthodox Church through the Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation on Saturday, May 26th, at 4 pm.  Congratulations to Stephen and Larissa.

Joel Wilson and Theresa Steele were united in the Mystery of Holy Matrimony at Saint Anthony Church on Sunday, April 29th.  Steven and Sonya Shephard served as Sponsors.  Officiating were Very Rev. Fr. Leo Poore and Rev. Fr. Antonio Perdomo.  A joint choir from Saint George Church in Pharr and Saint Anthony Church sang the responses.  His Eminence, JOB, Archbishop of Chicago and Diocese of the Midwest attended and presented a homily.  Mr. Wilson had served as an aide to His Eminence while residing in Chicago.  Family and friends from Indianapolis, Indiana attended.  The newly married couple will reside in Edinburg, Texas.

The Diocese of the South (www.dosoca.org) of the Orthodox Church in America  is pleased to report the reception of more than 160 catechumens in the bosom of the Holy Orthodox Church on Holy Saturday.  Our diocese has approximately 70 parishes, missions, mission stations, and monastic communiteis.  Our parish of Saint Anthony contributed three catechumens to these receptions: James (Anthony Short, Robert (Alan) Del bosque, and Darlene (Mary Magdalene) Mohacey.  May the Lord God grant them many, blessed years!

The 9th Annual Parish Picnic, scheduled at Guadalupe River Park on noon on Saturday, June 2nd, has been CANCELED due to high water safety concerns.  The Picnic may be rescheduled at a later date. Great Vespers, originally scheduled at the Park at 5 pm, will be held at the usual 6 pm time at Saint Anthony Church.

Photos of the Dedication Event have been posted on the website of the Orthodox Church in America.  Go to www.oca.org and go to Photo Gallery and Events on the left side of the screen.  Our story is posted for 2/10.  As more events are posted, our story will move to the Archives for February 2007.

The monthly luncheon, following Divine Liturgy, will be held on Sunday, March 25th, in conjunction with the Feast of the Annunciation.  The luncheon will be sponsored by the Charities & Benevolence Steering Committee.  Fish and chips will be the fare.  Donations will be accepted for the benefit of the work of the Committee.  Your support is appreciated.

Shipment was received on Friday, Feburary 23rd, of the hand-carved taberacle by Mr. Peter Nedkov from Sofia.  The tabernacle was placed on the tetrapod and made available for public viewing.  Fr. Leo blessed the tabernacle prior to Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 28th.  The tabernacle rests on the altar table and holds the reserve sacraments consecrated at the Divine Liturgy on Holy Thursday.  It also holds the Holy Chrism.

Planning is underway for this summer's Saint Peter the Aleut Camp which will be held from Monday, July 2nd thru Friday, July 6th.  The camp dates were moved from June due to a schedule conflict.  Please see Stacie Jarvis for further details.

The regional OCF will hold a retreat for college students near Nacogdoches, Texas, on April 13th-15th, two weeks after Pascha.  The first seventy registrants receive complimentary registration.  Please contact local co-ordinator, Alex Petkas, at 713.203.1529 (M) for more information.

Fr. Leo will conduct a one hour class on Holy Confession for church school students on Saturday, February 17th, at 4 pm in the Fellowship Hall.  Interested adults are also welcome to attend.  The class will be followed by a pizza social prior to Great Vespers at 6 pm.

Mr. George Goutsev, our iconographer from Sofia, Bulgaria, arrived safely in San Antonio on Sunday evening following a twenty hour journey.  Mr. Goutsev will be visiting and touring San Antonio this week prior to the Icon Screen Dedication on Saturday, February 10th, where he will be the Honored Guest at the Banquet that afternoon.  He will return to Bulgaria on Monday, February 12th.  Let us give Mr. Goutsev a warm welcome and some Texas hospitality.

Mr. George Goutsev arrived at Saint Anthony Church on Monday, February 5th, accompanied by Parish Priest, Fr. Leo Poore.  Mr. Goutsev was most pleased with the appearance of the interior of the temple with the new wood floor, iconostas, and icons.  While visiting, Mr. Goutsev took the time to perform some minor repairs on a couple of the icons.

The time for reserving your seat for the Icon Screen Dedication Banquet at Sunset Station on Saturday afternnon, February 10th, is drawing to a close.  Seating capacity is limited to 130 guests.  As of January 25th, we have 110 confirmed reservations.  We will be honored with the presence of Mr. George Goutsev, our iconographer from Bulgaria, Archbishop Dimitri, six priests, and three deacons.  Ticket reservations may be made with Ann Spence, Elaine Jenkins, Nancy Smith, or Robert Vranes.  Reservations must be confirmed by Sunday, February 4th.  You may pay for your ticket at the door but it is important that you confirm your reservation as soon as possible. 

Saint Joseph's Brotherhood will meet at 7:30 am on Saturday, February 3rd, at the church, for yard beautification. Come and enjoy tacos, fellowship, and yard beautification on the parish grounds. All men of the parish are invited to participate in the ministry of the Brotherhood. See Nick Ozerov for more details.

International Orthodox Christian Charities is sponsoring the 'Souper Bowl of Caring".  Help our parish become Souper Bowl Champions!  On Super Bowl Sunday, February 4th, team up withour parish's youth to help the needy in our community and around the world.  Help our team in the "Souper Bowl of Caring" by bringing one dollar and a canned good with you to liturgy.

The newly installed, hand-carved icon screen and hand-painted icons received from Bulgaria will be blessed at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Saturday, February 10^th.  The greeting the Archbishop will take place at 9:30 am followed by Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.  His Eminence, Archbishop D’MITRI of Dallas will concelebrate with host pastor Very Rev. Fr. Leo Poore and visiting clergy. A festive banquet will follow at the Agave Room at Sunset Station. Dinner tickets are $30 adult and $15 youth.  Master Iconographer Mr. George Goutsev, from Sofia Bulgaria, will be the Honored Guest. Dr. Donald Jenkins will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

The weekend events will begin with Great Vespers at 6:30 pm on Friday the 9th.  This will be followed by a reception at the Vranes' residence.

Jeffrey Folger and Christina Ozerov were crowned in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at Saint Anthony Church on Sunday, September 2nd.  Co-celebrants were Very Rev. Fr. Leo Poore, host pastor, and Very Rev. Fr. Alexis Vinogradov, a cousin of the bride.  After a honeymoon, the couple will return to their new home in Austin.  May God grant them many, blessed years in His service.

My path to Orthodoxy began with the Lutheran Church (Evangelical Church in America), where I was baptized and raised in a faith with an appreciation for liturgical services and a sense of the sacramental relationship between man and God.   It wasn’t enough, though.   After a disinterested period during my early college years, I slowly rediscovered my interest in the church life through encounters with Evangelicals and campus ministries.  I started occasionally attending a Lutheran church close to the Texas A & M campus, but it was a visit to a boyfriend’s Pentecostal  church in deep East Texas that solidified my preference for liturgical worship.   After graduation in 1987, my husband and I moved back to San Antonio (we had been married in my childhood Lutheran Church in 1985), and I started going back to church with my mother.   She was thrilled, but I did it reluctantly, knowing that at the time I was doing this I was still seeking something different.  I think my search for the Orthodox faith really started as a young adult’s desire to do something rebellious, adventurous and different.

In early 1990, I had started a new job and one of my co-workers was a young Greek woman.  My impending renewal of membership at my childhood church and my doubts about this spiritual commitment were the topic for a casual conversation one day.   She off-handedly mentioned that she was Greek Orthodox and suggested that I visit her church.  She was definitely not the model one thinks of as an evangelist, which just goes to show you the Lord uses all His children for His purposes even when they don’t know it themselves.   It also serves as a warning that what we say or do can have the most important or the most devastating consequences for someone’s soul.  My co-worker’s advice made me pull out the phone book and find an Orthodox Church - in this case, St. Anthony’s - and just call the priest.  I made an appointment to meet him at the church mid-week, showed up for the next Sunday Divine Liturgy, and never, ever went back to my Lutheran Church.  Mind you, only the previous Sunday I had stood up in my Lutheran Church and made a pledge to renew and recommit myself as a faithful Lutheran.  Four days after meeting with the priest, I stepped into the very worn and unspectacular temple of St. Anthony’s and was instantly “hooked."  The beautiful church  you see today is so much different from the former building with the “ambiance of a VFW Hall,” as St. Anthony’s priest Fr. Dmitri Cozby used to say. 

On the feast day of St. Herman of Alaska, December 13, 1992, I was chrismated into the Orthodox Church and took the saint’s name of St. Joanna the Myrrh-bearing Woman.  It was undoubtedly one of the most important and life-altering days of my life.  I have now been an Orthodox Christian for 20 years, and I can’t say I’m a better example of one today than I was in 1992.  My initial convert zealousness (or overzealousness) has changed into something stronger and steadier; a faith that must be constantly renewed by a commitment to the sacraments, church attendance, prayer, fasting, and spiritual reading.  I would not recommend Orthodoxy as an easy path or one to take on a whim.  Since my chrismation, I have had many spiritual struggles, even crises of faith, but I can say I do not regret becoming Orthodox for one instant.  And with God’s mercy and despite my own failings, at the end of my earthly life, I look to eternal life in His Heavenly Kingdom. 

When the Lord appeared to St. John the Theologian on Patmos, His revelation began with messages to the churches of Asia. To each church He gave a different message, some of reproachment to those gone astray and others of encouragement to the faithful. One church had lost its love, another compromised the faith, another had followed Jezebel into sin. One He declared dead. Still another faced persecution, and one church was devout and faithful. To the church in Laodicea He sent a unique warning: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out." This church had not changed the faith or committed great sins; it was simply "lukewarm". It was their deeds, or lack thereof, the Lord spoke of.

When you think of stewardship, two things likely come to mind: the duties of a steward, and financial obligation and management. The stewardship of the church is more than the sum of our tithes and offerings. It is our prayers; our fellowship; our church school; a vibrant choir, brotherhood and sisterhood; our parish council; our care for the church – both the clergy and laity who make it up and the temple in which we gather. It is the way each of us represents the church to the world around us. We are all called to be stewards. And a church of stewards is never lukewarm.

I am what is lovingly referred to as a “cradle Orthodox Christian.” At the time I was born, both of my parents were practicing members of the Orthodox faith, and they decided to have me baptized as an infant. I have been a member of St. Anthony the Great Orthodox Church for as long as I can remember, and except for two years when my family lived in Pennsylvania, I have attended services and Sunday School (until I was 18) regularly. I'm no saint, but I have been active in the church as a Sunday School teacher, a parish council member, and now as the appointed bookkeeper. The other members of the church have always been like an extended family to me.

Once I got to elementary school, it didn't take me long to realize that my religion wasn't common or well known. I had to explain to my friends -and teachers- what Orthodoxy is, which was a difficult task for an eight-year-old who wasn't well versed in any other background, but it was made easier with my religious education at home and at church. Since people were always so curious about my faith, and because I wanted to be able to explain Orthodoxy better to others, I sought to learn about other religions in addition to my own. My parents never discouraged this, but made sure I had a full understanding of Orthodoxy along the way. I had long, meaningful conversations with devout believers of other faiths. On occasion I attended services at other churches. I read books written by prominent religious leaders. I studied the history of all the world's major religions in college, graduating with a minor focus in religious studies. Through all this, my faith was deeply rooted in Orthodoxy and none of my learning ever made me stray from that. In fact, it only helped to increase my belief. 

I have had trials and troubles in my life, like anyone else, and my faith was always a comfort to me. Although it didn't happen overnight, if I had to choose a “moment of enlightenment," my high school Sunday school class really sticks out as when my faith became something I believed in for myself, rather than just going along with what my parents encouraged. We were assigned to read “Ascending the Heights: A Layman's Guide to the Ladder of Divine Ascent” by Fr. John Mack. We took almost the entire school year to read and discuss that book. We were encouraged to think critically about each chapter and apply it to our lives. We were allowed to ask tough questions and expect meaningful answers, which is something many of my non-Orthodox friends, most of whom do not attend worship services anymore, felt they were missing in their church lives. 

My husband was raised Roman Catholic and introduced to Orthodoxy during high school when we met. He converted to Orthodoxy before we were married and now we are raising our daughter in the church as well. My faith started out as a family tradition but became an educated choice.  I have always found fulfillment in my religious life so I am happy to continue the tradition.

I was called to Orthodoxy in the fall of 1991.  I was baptized and chrismated on Lazarus Sunday of 2009.  I first encountered the Ancient Faith as a minister in a protestant church through the conversion of my college roommate.  I was usually frustrated in my ministry career by the vast disunity I encountered on a daily basis.  It seemed that everyone had their own understanding of God and the Church (including me) and that understanding was subject to change at any given time.  The capacity to "make it up" as we went along was exhausting.  I was immediately drawn to the endless bedrock of Orthodoxy and comforted that I no longer had to figure all of this out on my own.  My delay was simply born out of fear.  Fear of not having a way to make a living, fear of disappointing my parents and fear of alienating my wife were intimidating stumbling blocks for me.  By the summer of 2008 all of these had been removed in one way or another and I approached the local parish with the attitude of "where else can I go, You alone have the words of eternal life."  I have never regretted coming to the Church, only that it took me so long.