Welcome!
We are a Western Rite Orthodox church located in Silver Spring, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC. As a congregation of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, we are part of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East (“…the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” Acts 11:26). While we share the faith of all Orthodox Christians around the world, as a Western Rite congregation we are blessed by our bishops to use the ancient forms of Western worship. Most of us are converts from many different backgrounds who have come to Orthodoxy in search of authentic Christianity and a place where we may grow in knowledge and love of God. In the Orthodox Church we have found the “pearl of great price” and we rejoice to share what we have discovered. We hope that you will explore our web site and join us in worship.
Sermons by Fr. Nicholas Alford
A Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent
I’m afraid that I have nearly reached the point of changing the radio station when I hear a Christmas Carol and cringing when I hear Christmas hymns while shopping at the hardware store. It seems that I have reached this point earlier than normal this year, but then the Christmas decorations have been in the stores for weeks already. In … More...
The Lives of the Saints
St. John of Kronstadt, Priest & Confessor
Feast Day ~ December 21 Those of us who live and work in the Washington DC area know what it is to have busy schedules - to work 10 and 12 hour days and commute 2 and 3 hours, to work week-ends and holidays and give up any hope of seeing family or enjoying “free” time! What if this kind of “busyness” were devoted to the salvation of man - to … More...
Latest News
December Newsletter
Most of the month of December is devoted to preparing. During the season of Advent, we prepare our hearts to receive again our Incarnate God, who was sent to the world as a human child to show us the way to salvation, and we look forward to His Second Coming. The Church emphasizes several ways for us to prepare. One … More...
The Good News of Orthodoxy
The Nativity Sermon by Saint John Chrysostom
"I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the shepherd's song, piping no soft melody, but loudly chanting a heavenly hymn! The angels sing! The archangels blend their voices in harmony! The cherubim resound their joyful praise! The Seraphim exalt His glory! All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead herein... on … More...