On Monday, January 2/15, 2024, Deacon Andrew Wales, of the Parish of Saint Seraphim of Sarov in Richmond, Virginia, was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.
Born in 1988, Fr. Andrew first encountered the Orthodox Church as a teenager. He eventually came to realize that Orthodoxy is the One, True Faith, and that the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians is the canonical Orthodox Church of Greece, with pious faithful and parishes in the United States. Therefore, he resolved to be baptized in this Church, on December 24/January 6, 2008, at the Cathedral of Saint Markella, by His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Theoupolis, with the assistance of the Reverend Fr. Theodore Giannakopoulos.
He soon met Anna, who would later become his wife; she likewise became Orthodox, and they were married on July 2/15, 2012. They have two children together.
Fr. Andrew and Presbytera Anna relocated to Richmond, Virginia in 2013, in order to attend the parish of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, where the Reverend Fr. Nicodemos Gayle is pastor. Fr. Andrew was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on December 8/21, 2014. His dedicated and attentive service over the years led to the decision to elevate him to the Holy Priesthood.
Fr. Andrew will assist Fr. Nicodemos with his priestly duties, as the parish of Saint Seraphim is growing. We wish Fr. Andrew, Pr. Anna, and their family Many Years. AXIOS! He Is Worthy!
Why do we follow the Old Orthodox Calendar?
a Because based on it, the First Ecumenical Council established the Paschal Canon and appointed that the feast of Holy Pascha may fall anywhere from March 22nd until April 25th, while with the New (Papal) Calendar it can fall as late at May 8th.
b The Gregorian (Papal) Calendar has been condemned by three Pan-Orthodox Councils under Patriarch Jeremiah Tranos (1583, 1587, 1589) Read more...
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...
2023 Youth Conference
Please join us for the 2023 youth conference in Chicago, IL! To learn more, visit the home page or visit the conference website.
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...