Upcoming Events
Intro to Orthodoxy Class
Fall Session
Beginning September 29
4:30-5:50 pm
. TOP
Recent EventsTaming Technology
Friday, February 24, 7 pm
Fr Noah will lead a discussion on how to navigate the internet of things and stay sane in an insane world.
In addition, Nicholas Morelli will discuss a “cyber security” view of the spiritual life.
Take advantage of this Cheese-Friendly Friday. Please bring your favorite cheese & crackers and wine to share, and a friend who will enjoy an evening of fellowship, discussion, and prayer.
Schedule:
7:00 Discussion & Fellowship
8:30 Compline
9:00 Depart in peace!
January: The Divine Liturgy
Jan 4 The life of Jesus Christ (Fr Noah)
Jan 11 CANCELED
Jan 18 Vesting and Proskimidi (Fr James)
Jan 25 The Anaphora of St John (Fr Herman)
February: The Life of Prayer
Feb 1 Vespers and Artoklasia for the Feast (no Compline or class)
Feb 8 The Lord's Prayer (Fr James)
Feb 15 The Discipline of Prayer (Fr Herman)
Feb 22 The Lenten Prayer of St Ephrem (Fr Noah)
Saturdays, December 3, 10, 17
Presented by Dr Fred Kompass
Please join us!
- What is the importance of creeds in liturgical worship?
- Where did the Nicene Creed come from?
- Why does the Nicene Creed in the East differ from that of the West?
- How deep is our understanding of this creed?
Come expand your knowledge of this central expression of the Christian Faith!
We are pleased to announce a visit of the
Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Mother of God
from St George Orthodox Church, Taylor, PA
Friday, November 18
Paraklesis & Akathist at 6 pm
Followed by veneration, anointing with myrrh, and light refreshments.
Please note: No photography of any kind will be permitted.
All are welcome!
St. Philip Orthodox Christian Church
1970 Clearview Road l Souderton, PA 18964
215-721-4947 l office@st-philip.net
www.st-philip.net
A freewill offering will be received.
On October 9, 2016, our long-term deacon, Herman Acker, was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop THOMAS. Fr. Herman has been assigned to St Andrew Church in Lewes, Delaware, following in the footsteps of our beloved Fr Boniface Black of blessed memory. May God grant him, Kh. Vera, and their boys, many blessed years of health, prosperity, spiritual vigor, and apostolic labor!
2016 International Food Festival
Friday & Saturday, Sept 16 & 17
12 noon to 8 pm
Fruits From God's Vineyard in America
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Following Vespers at 6 pm
Presented by Archpriest Milorad Orlic
of St Nicholas Church, Elkins Park
A presentation on the lives and labors of four newly-glorified Serbian saints from America:
St. Sebastian (Dabovich) of Jackson CA.
St. Mardarije (Uskokovich) of Libertyville IL
St. Barnabas (Nastich) of Gary IN
St. Nikolaj (Velimirovich) of South Canaan PA
Light refreshments will be served.
Celtic Christianity
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Following Vespers at 6 pm
Fr Seraphim Aldea
Monastery of All Celtic Saints
Isle of Mull, Scotland
All too often, despite our best intention, prayer feels heavy and difficult. Our hearts want to pray and draw closer to Christ, but our prayer is dead and leaves us tired and empty. The Orthodox Saints of the Celtic islands are a long lost treasure of spirituality and holiness. Drawing from the lives of these early monastics, Fr Seraphim will talk about their astonishing sacrifices and love for Christ, in the hope that during this Lent prayer will indeed fire up our hearts. Sometimes, the answers to our deepest questions come to us from the experience of others who have lived many centuries before. Sometimes, the way forward is revealed by looking backward.
Fr Seraphim will support his talk with photographs of the Scottish Isles and the Monastery Of All Celtic Saints on the Isle of Mull.
To find out more, visit www.mullmonastery.com
On the weekend of April 15-17, 2016, we welcomed Fr Seraphim Aldea, whose mission is the establishment of a monastery on the Scottish Isle of Mull (www.mullmonastery.com).
On Friday evening, the men of St Philip’s gathered with Fr Seraphim for a time of fellowship and discussion. Fr. Seraphim challenged us to not settle into worldly thinking and self-centered habits but to be Servants of God. His points are summarized below:
- Like Abraham's sacrifice... We are the tools, caretakers of God's children. When we forget, things go wrong.
- There are different paths to salvation (monasticism, marriage, ministry), but ways to get it wrong are the same (for example, being self-centered)
- How to handle this: Take a step backward and be objective to reclaim your stewardship.
- The one conversation that matters is between God and you and, if that is the priority, then you are a man, the man of the house.
- Careers are tools for salvation.
- Remembering death/identity: pray and get in touch with suffering.
- Men so readily keep vigil for football and other sports. What about a vigil for your salvation, your families, your churches, your nation, and your world?
Mary, Mysteries & Mission
Presented by Fr. Chad Hatfield
Chancellor, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
Saturday, March 26, 2016
A return to the basic Christian Foundations is to be re-discovered in the role of the Theotokos in the economy of salvation, the place of the Mysteries (Sacraments) in Christian renewal, and finally our response to the acts of our Loving God through the Mission of the Church. "There is no expiration date on the Great Commission".
NO COST, but please RSVP to St Philip's church office.
Download a flyer here.
Archpriest Chad Hatfield is the Chancellor of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, as well as Professor of MIssiology. Father Chad came to SVOTS from St. Herman Seminary in Alaska, where he was serving as the Dean. He presently serves as a member of the Metropolitan Council of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).
As Chancellor he works closely with Archpriest John Behr, the Dean, and the Executive Chair of the SVOTS Board, Mr. Alex Machaskee. Together they use a unique conciliar design to engage the seminary faculty and staff in serving the needs of everyone in the seminary community and the wider Orthodox Church.
In addition, Fr Chad is the Co-chair of the Anglican Church in North America/Orthodox Church in America Dialogue and a Nashotah House Graduate, including an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.
His experi ence in various pastoral, teaching and administrative roles, spread over some 40 years of ordained ministry, are now blended into the Chancellor’s ministry at SVOTS.
Singing the Triumphal Hymn
Presented by Fr. Mark Sahady
Saturday, February 20, 2016
NO COST, but please RSVP to St Philip's church office.
Download a flyer here.
Workshop Schedule
1:00 pm Session 1
Music: “Let my prayer arise” - Bortniansky; “O Taste & See” - Byz T5;
Paschal Canon Odes 1, 3 & 4 - Bortniansky
2:15 pm Snack Break
2:45 pm Session 2
Music: “Wise Thief” - Abramian Trio; “Today He Who hung” - Kazan;
Paschal Canon Odes 5, 6 & 7 - Bortniansky
4:15 pm Break
4:30 pm Session 3
Music: “Let all mortal flesh” – Kazan; “Moses the Great” - Kazan;
Paschal Canon Odes 8 & 9 - Bortniansky
5:45 pm Break
6:00 pm Vespers & short talk on “Who sings when”
7:00 pm Reception with Q&A
8:00 pm Close Workshop
Fr. Mark Sahady is an archpriest of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese (AO). Fr Mark Sahady is retired from the Air Force and is the Chaplain for St Thekla AO Monastery for Nuns in Glenville, PA. Mark Sahady grew up attending St Ellien AO Church in Brownsville, PA and graduated from Brownsville Area High School. He graduated from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. In-between his Junior & Senior years of college, he did specialized studies at St Vladimir’s seminary studying Byzantine Chant with Fr Basil Essey and directed the Choir at St Nicholas AO Cathedral in Brooklyn. He became the Music Director and Pastoral Assistant at St Stephen’s AO Church in South Plainfield, NJ. During this time he wrote an Orthodox church music book for cantors and congregational singing that is still being used around North America. He became the Choir Master and the Youth Director of Holy Ghost OCA Church in Ambridge, PA, starting 1 Jan 1984 pastored by Fr Vladimir Soroka and sang in Fr Igor Soroka’s Choir. In September 1986, Sub-deacon Mark began studies again at St Vladimir’s Seminary. While at seminary he trained the choirs, their directors, and the readers. He also reorganized their music books, re-wrote their Octoechos/Parakletiki to be consistent in language, restarted the male choirs at seminary and then directed the Octet on tour across America from May – August 1987 visiting, teaching music, and encouraging many of the newly received Antiochian Evangelical Orthodox Churches. He also joined the Air Forces Reserves at this time. He graduated from St Vladimir Seminary in May 1989 with both a Masters of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Liturgical Music. He married Barbara Gaspar and was ordained a deacon and priest in October 1989. Fr Mark began pastoring St Mary AO Church in Wilkes-barre, PA, November 1989. As time went Fr Mark and Kh Barbara had three children. During this time, Fr Mark was Eastern Region Music Director. Fr Mark went Active Duty in July 1994 and led Choir workshops, retreats, gave lectures and directed Pan-Orthodox Choirs wherever he went. In 2004 he was elevated to Archpriest. 2013 – 2014 he served at Life-Giving Font GOA Monastery for Nuns in Dunlap, CA. August 2014 he moved to Glenville, PA to serve St Thekla Monastery.
Christmas Benefit Concert
Sunday, December 6, 2015, 3 p.m.
Featuring
St Philip’s Choir
Hymns of the Nativity of Christ
Experience Christ in the ancient and timeless beauty and depth of the Orthodox Christian a cappella musical heritage.
And
Trio Amaranth
Violin, Cello, & Piano
From 19th century France, to 20th century Spain to nearly 21st century Argentina, Trio Amaranth leads the audience around the world with works by Ernest Chausson, Joaquin Turina, and Astor Piazzolla.
Refreshments will follow.
There is no charge for admission, but a freewill offering will be accepted to benefit St Philip's Needy Fund, supporting those who find themselves in difficult circumstances.
We are pleased to announce the visit of the Taylor myrrh-streaming icon of the Mother of God “Cardiotissa” on Friday, November 13, 2015.
Vespers for St Philip, 5 p.m.
Paraklesis before the icon, 6 p.m., followed by veneration of the icon and anointing with the myrrh.
All are welcome.
Light refreshments will be available after the service.
A free-will offering will be received.
This icon comes to us from its home at St George Orthodox Church in Taylor, PA, in the care of Fr Mark Leasure, pastor of St George Church.
Reflections on the Archpastoral Visit of Bishop THOMAS
October 30 - November 1, 2015
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
- Hebrews 13:17
Altar Boy Retreat: Sayedna reinforced the good teaching of one of our subdeacons, Benjamin Daniel. This focused on the importance of Altar Service as leading the community in joining into heavenly worship.
Introduction to Orthodoxy Class: Sayeda drove home the point that academic theology is good, but incarnational theology is better. He doesn't want dust collecting on the beautiful truths that that the Catechumens and Inquirers are learning in preparation to entering the Church.
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Teen Retreat |
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Sunday of the Cross |
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Handmaidens' Tea |
Presented by Dr. Fred Kompass
Saturdays in May 2015
5:00 p.m.
When we think about the Letter of James only two things usually come to mind: 1) the letter’s oft-quoted verse, “Faith without works is dead,” and 2) Martin Luther didn’t like this letter and he didn’t want it included in the canon. Consequently, as one author has said, many relegate this letter to the junk mail of the New Testament. This is unfortunate; James was the first Bishop of the leading church of the growing Christian movement. His Letter is the earliest of the New Testament writings and as such affords a glimpse of the theology and practices of the Jewish Christians in the Early Church. It is an extremely important document. This course will examine the background of the author and the message of the text in detail.
On Saturday, May 23, 2015, we welcomed Seminarian Nicholas Livingston, who led a retreat for our altar servers. Topics covered were:
> Christian life
> Liturgical service
> Priestly/pastoral ministry
> The importance and value of lay ministry
> The story of Nicco's call to the priesthood, early service in the altar
Thirteen from St Philip's joined about 25 Orthodox clergy and about 150 Orthodox faithful who joined several thousand for the March for Marriage. We are praying for God’s guidance in an upcoming Supreme Court hearing and, regardless of the decision, for God’s protection for those who practice their faith conscientiously.
THE ANAPHORA OF ST BASIL THE GREAT
Presented by Fr. Noah Bushelli
Saturdays, March 21 & 28, 2015
5:00 p.m.
After discussing the life of Saint Basil and the Theological Con text of his ministry, we'll turn to examine the Euchar istic prayer that he wrote. This is a treasury of theology and also of scriptural references and perhaps the most beautiful synopsis of Salvation History.
A copy of the text will be provided.
BYOB - Bring Your Own BIBLE!
Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of Orthodox Georgia
Saturday, March 21, 2015
following Vespers
Presented by Niko Chocheli
A presentation of beautiful photographs taken by Niko and Kristen Chocheli on their recent journey, with a discussion on the Life of the recently canonized Saint Gabriel, Confessor and Fool for Christ.
HEALING OUR DISEASES: THE CHURCH AS A SPIRITUAL HOSPITAL
Presented by Fr Josiah Trenham
Pastor, St Andrew Church, Riverside, CA
Retreat Schedule:
9:00 am Welcome
9:30 am Third hour
10:00 am Session 1 and Q&A
11:15 am Lunch
12:00 pm Sixth hour
12:30 pm Session 2 and Q&A
1:45 pm Break
2:00 pm Session 3 and Q&A
3:15 pm Ninth hour
THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS EVENT.
To assist us in our planning, however, please call or email to let us know that you are coming.
(An offering will be received.)
Dr. William Black
OCMC Missionary Candidate to Kenya
Saturday, February 14, 2015
following Vespers at 6 pm
Makarios III Seminary in the middle of a slum in Nairobi may just be the most strategic Orthodox ministry in all of Africa. Here the next generation of leaders, priests and bishops, not just for Kenya, but all of sub-Saharan Africa, are being trained and sent back to their homes to serve their Churches. Dr. Black is being asked to help train these men, and you through your prayers and support can be a partner with him in what God is doing through the rapidly growing Orthodox Churches of Africa.
Q&A session
Refreshments will be served.
Dr. Joseph William Black served for many years in the Presbyterian Church, as a pastor and working with campus ministries and missions. In 2001, Dr. Black became a missionary, serving first in Ethiopia, then Kenya. Among his ministries was teaching in graduate schools of theology, but when he became Orthodox in 2011, he was dismissed from his various ministries. He found another teaching position and began working with the Orthodox Church in Kenya, accompanying His Eminence Makarios, Archbishop of Kenya, on pastoral visits and helping to develop plans for continuing education of the priests of his Archdiocese. When he returns to Kenya with OCMC, he will continue this work.
Saint Athanasius the Great: The Redemptive Plan in On the Incarnation
Presented by Dr. Brian Fitzgerald
Saturdays 5:00 p.m.
January 17 - February 14, 2015
St. Athanasius' work, On the Incarnation, provides in a nutshell the basic Orthodox understanding of man's predicament and salvation. To understand this, therefore, is to grasp the basics of Orthodox Christian soteriology. Since this is a very early work, much of the terminology is immature and by modern Orthodox standards somewhat inadequate. It is not bad, but our understand of soteriology and Christology grew in the controversies of the following centuries, hence we will also discuss growth and development in Orthodox theology.
Session 1: About St. Athanasius and On the Incarnation
Session 2: Our Predicament and The Divine Dilemma
Session 3: Christ the Incarnate Teacher and Redeemer
Session 4: Christ the Incarnate Life-Giver and Divinizer
Teen & Young Adult Retreat
Be the Bee
Finding God in everything, every day.
Exploring ways we can focus on what is good and beautiful in our everyday lives.
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
11:30 am Brunch
12:30 pm Session 1
1:30 pm Break/Snack
2:00 pm Session 2
3:00 pm Break/Snack and Activity
4:00 pm Session 3 or Service Project
5:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm Great Vespers
7:00 pm Discussion with Young Adults
Saturdays, November 1, 8, 15, & 22, 2014
5 p.m.
In modern writing, we use rules of grammar and syntax along with punctuation to indicate emphasis and clarify our written communication.
In cultures of antiquity, when literature was mostly heard rather than read, authors used literary structure to help convey their meaning and emphasis. Thus the text of the Bible contains literary forms intended to shape understanding.
Modern readers often overlook literary structure since it is no longer part of our linguistic toolbox. When we miss these linguistic markers, we miss the clarification and emphasis these features were intended to convey.
Come and learn more about “The Shape of Biblical Language”.
To our Autumn 2014 Adult Studies for Catechumens & Inquirers
Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
September 3 - November 19
In the Great Room at St. Philip's
All are welcome to come and learn about our Orthodox Faith!
We have seen the True Light, we have received the Heavenly Spirit, we have found the True Faith: worshipping the Undivided Trinity, for he hath saved us. -- From the Divine Liturgy
Bible Study - Jeremiah
A Survey of Jeremiah
Chapters 1-25
Presented by Dr. Fred Kompass
Saturdays in October 2014
5:00 p.m.
Session 1: Historical and Theological Context, Composition, and Message of the Book of Jeremiah
Session 2: Jeremiah's Early Oracles - Chapters 1- 10
Session 3: Stories From the Prophet's Life - Chapters 11 - 20
Session 4: Late Oracles From the Time of Zedekiah - Chapters 21 - 25
Friday & Saturday, September 19 & 20, 2014
Saturday, September 6, 2014
following Vespers (6 p.m.) & potluck refreshments
On September 6th, Jesse Brandow will speak on the explosion of Orthodoxy in Guatemala, where 40,000 Mayan Indians have converted to Orthodoxy. Jesse Brandow is a seminary graduate who studied at Holy Cross and St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Originally from Michigan, he has traveled to Guatemala on short-term mission trips in 2009 and 2012. Now he is preparing to serve in Guatemala for two years as a long-term missionary through OCMC.
Come to Vespers on September 6th to hear more from Jesse and to learn how you can participate in the growth of Orthodoxy in Guatemala!
Summer Reading Book Club 2014
Overview
Participation Form
Listening Response for K-1
Book Review for Grades 2-5
Summer Reading Log
Thanks to all for your participation. Our program was a success, and we look forward to offering this program again next year!
Mary, the Mother of God: Our Model and our Mother
August 4-8, 9 am - noon
For Orthodox youth entering Kindergarten through 8th Grade.
This week we will learn about Mary, the All-Holy, Ever-Virgin, Mother of God, exploring different aspects of the life of the Virgin Mary and how she is also part of our life in Christ. Our examination will be based upon Holy Tradition (i.e. the Scriptures, the Saints, the Councils, the Services) and also our traditions (daily life, piety, and conventional wisdom from Orthodox cultures) in order to know about her as a model of the Christian life and come to know her as our Mother.
Please contact the church office to register.
Click here for a copy of the curriculum. TOP
Vacation Church School 2014
(14 images)
Military Chaplaincy: A Ministry to our Armed Forces
Presented by Fr. Joseph Butts, Orthodox Christian Chaplain
Saturday, July 12, 2014 TOP
As the Father Has Sent Me, Even So I Send You:
Making our Parishes Missionary Outposts
Presented by Fr Ken DeVoie
Department of Missions & Evangelism, Antiochian Archdiocese
Saturday, June 7, 2014
10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
What is the mission of the Church? Does your parish fulfill this? A practical workshop for clergy & laity.
The Life of Christ
Sunday, April 6, 2014
2 p.m.
A presentation of the ancient and timeless beauty and depth of the Orthodox Christian a cappella musical heritage.
A freewill offering of over $250 was received for Keystone Opportunity Center. Thanks to all!
Download the event program here.
Click here for concert recordings.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
For Campers in Grades 3-12
Schedule
9:30 am Check‐in
10:00 am Matins
11:00 am Christian Education Sessions
1:00 pm Lenten Lunch
2:00 pm Afternoon Program: Games, Activities, Crafts
4:00 pm Snack & Camp Presentation for Parents
5:00 pm Great Vespers
5:45 pm Departure
Saturday, February 22
"All Things are Your Servants": Our dark emotions in the light of Christ
Presented by Fr John Oliver,
Pastor, St Elizabeth Mission, Murfreesboro, TN
Retreat Schedule:
10:00 a.m. Liturgy and Memorial for Soul Saturday
12:00 noon Brunch, Welcome and Registration
1:00 p.m. Session 1: Discovering our Interior Life: Truth in the Inward Parts
2:00 p.m. Break
2:15 p.m. Session 2: Understanding our Interior Life: from Psychology to Christology
3:15 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Session 3: Loving our Interior Life: from Condemnation to Compassion
4:30 p.m. Coffee Break
5:00 p.m. Session 4: Purifying our Interior Life: Depending Not on the Consolation of Beginners
5:50 p.m. Break
6:00 p.m. Great Vespers
6:45 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Session 5: Sharing our Interior Life: Repentance as Our Gift to the World
8:30 p.m. Adjourn
THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS EVENT.
TO ASSIST US IN OUR PLANNING, HOWEVER, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TO LET US KNOW THAT YOU ARE COMING.
~~ AN OFFERING WILL BE RECEIVED ~~
St Paul: The Man, the Mission, the Message
presented by Dr Fred Kompass
Saturdays, January 11 - February 15, 2014
5 p.m. until Vespers
Six Sessions:
The Life of Saint Paul
Paul's Message
Paul, Jesus, and James
First and Second Corinthians
Romans
Galatians and Philippians
SPECIAL MISSIONS EVENT
Orthodoxy, Islam and Mission
Fr. Daniel Byantoro
Missionary to Indonesia and Islamic Scholar
DATE: Saturday, February 5
Schedule:
3:00 p.m. Lecture: The History of Islam, and its Relationship to the Orthodox Church
4:30 p.m. Lecture: Teachings of Islam Compared to the Teachings of the Orthodox Church
6:00 p.m. Great Vespers
7:00 p.m. Potluck Dinner and Lecture: Missions: Culture and Indigenization, Methods of the Orthodox Church in Indonesia
Also, on Sunday, February 6th, Fr. Daniel will preach at the Divine Liturgy and attend Coffee Hour.
Learn More about Father Daniel and the Orthodox Church in Indonesia - friendsofindonesia.org/
Listen to Father Daniel's powerful teaching - ancientfaith.com/podcasts/byantoro
There is NO COST for this event, though free will offerings will be gratefully received.
No pre-registration necessary.
St. Philip’s Annual Lenten Retreat
Saturday, March 19, 2011
9:30 - 5:00, followed by Vespers at 5:00
Lunch is provided.
BACK TO THE FUTURE: THEN IS NOW!
THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH APPLIED TO OUR DAILY LIVES
Presented by Mother Alexandra
Acting Abbess, St. Thekla Convent
Bolivar, PA
THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THESE EVENTS.
TO ASSIST US IN OUR PLANNING, HOWEVER, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE TO REGISTER.
An offering will be received.
Bring your children: A camp-for-a-day experience will be offered for youth 7-17, presented by Fr Anthony Yazge and Antiochian Village Camp staff. See additional information under that event listing.
The Village at Home
for youth ages 7-17
Saturday, March 19, 2011
9:30 - 5:00, followed by Vespers at 5:00
Lunch is provided.
Ever
wonder what Antiochian Village Summer Camp is like? Come experience a
‘day at camp’ with Fr. Anthony Yazge and the Village staff.
run at the same time as our Lenten Retreat
There is no cost for this event.
Registration is required. Please contact the church office.
Games & Sports
Arts & Crafts
Christian Ed
Fun for all!
Our new icon mural, the Dormition of the Theotokos, will soon be installed on the west wall of the church. Please join us for the blessing of the mural and a special presentation by Iconographer Nick Papas.
Saturday, August 13, following vespers at 6 pm
A reception will follow (fasting menu).
Please bring a lenten dish to share.
Beloved in Christ,
It is with great sadness that we announce the details of Fr. Michael's burial at St. Philip's Cemetery.
After the funeral services at his parish in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Fr. Michael's body will be translated to Philadelphia.
We are preparing for a large gathering of family, friends, parishioners, and clergy for the following services and calling hours at St. Philip Orthodox Church:
Sunday, August 21st:
6-8 pm Viewing and Reading of Psalms
7 pm - Trisagion Prayers
Refreshments will be provided throughout the calling hours
Monday, August 22nd:
10 am - Viewing and Reading of Psalms
11 am - Walking Procession to St. Philip's Cemetery for the Trisagion Prayers and Interment
A Mercy Meal will follow at St. Philip's Great Room
God willing, many of you will gather with us as we lay our dear brother to rest.
+ Fr. Noah
Sunday, October 16, 2011
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Rain or Shine
2:00 Church Tour
3:00 Choir Concert
Music in the Byzantine, Russian, Georgian & Carpatho-Russian Chant Traditions, with commentary
3:30 Sacred Arts Presentation
Sacred Arts of East and West: Contrasting Views - Niko Chocheli
4:30 Church Tour
Available throughout the program:
Free Refreshments
Displays of Precious & Ancient Icons
Iconography Display - Iconographers showing their Icons in process
Vestment Display - Liturgical seamstress
Home Altar - Liturgical Prayer at Home (setting up a home altar, candles, incense, etc.)
Download a pdf of the flyer here.
St Philip's Youth Choir will sing St Nicholas Vespers on Monday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m. Following Vespers, there will be a youth activity (with treats!). All are welcome, but please register with the church office (vacker@st-philip.net) to ensure sufficient treats for all.
On Tuesday, December 6, we will celebrate St Nicholas Day with Matins at 9:00 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m., followed by a potluck luncheon (fasting menu; fish, wine & oil permitted).
Peter & Sharon Georges
Representing the
St. Nicholas Uganda Children’s Fund
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
Luncheon & Presentation after the Liturgy (approx. 11:30)
St. Philip Orthodox Church
1970 Clearview Rd., Souderton, PA
Come and learn about this exciting Orthodox ministry to AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. Peter and Sharon will share their experiences from ten years serving in Uganda and provide a colorful and inspiring update on the current work of the Children’s Fund.
There is no charge for this event, but your donation will support this important ministry.
For more information contact the church office:
215-721-4947 office@st-philip.net
Saturday, April 13, 2013
CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY: LIVING IMAGES OF CHRIST
Presented by Paul Finley
Director, St. Herman House of Hospitality
FOCUS Center, Cleveland, OH
Retreat Schedule:
9:00 a.m. Welcome & Refreshments
9:30 a.m. 3rd Hour & 1st Session - Hospitality and The Church: Being Transformed for Good Works
10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. 6th Hour & 2nd Session - Hospitality and The Family: Hospitality Begins at Home
12:30 p.m. Lenten Luncheon
1:30 p.m. 3rd Session - Hospitality and the World: Loving the Unlovely
3:00 p.m. 9th Hour & Akathist “Glory to God for all Things”
4:00 p.m. Concluding remarks - Hospitality and You: Try Giving Yourself Away
4:30 p.m. FOCUS North America Video
Q & A, Coffee, Fellowship, Book Table, and Confessions
6:00 p.m. Vespers
THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS EVENT.
TO ASSIST US IN OUR PLANNING, HOWEVER, PLEASE CALL TO LET US KNOW THAT YOU ARE COMING.
~~ AN OFFERING WILL BE RECEIVED ~~
Supported by St. Philip’s Endowment Fund
Luncheon provided by the Women of St. Philip’s
Babysitting & children’s activities will be provided. (Please call to register.)
Saturday, March 16th at 9:30am
Instructor: Deacon David Jacobs
All eight tones will be covered.
Space is limited; registration required.
Click More Information for details.
International Food Festival
Friday & Saturday
September 20 & 21
Come, see and feel an international community. A variety of ethnic foods will be served. Nationalities & foods represented will include Eritrean, Ethiopian, Georgian, Greek, Lebanese, and Russian.
Visit our Festival Page for more information.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
9:30 a.m to 6 p.m.
Ever wonder what Antiochian Village Summer Camp is like? Come to St Philip's and experience a ‘day at camp’ with the Village staff.
For kids ages 7-17.
Games & Sports
Arts & Crafts
Christian Ed
Fun for all!
There is NO CHARGE for this event, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Please contact the church office for information or to register. Download our flyer.
News Archive
Over 50 youth and adults participated in our Vacation Church School August 6-10, learning about the Parables of Christ.
The 2012 Parish Life Conference for the Eastern Dioceses took place July 4-8 in New Brunswick, NJ. Over 20 people represented St Philip's at church services, organizational meetings, luncheons, entertainment events, and the Bible Bowl & Oratorical competitions.
Our Teen & Adult Bible Bowl teams didn't win this year, but each scored very well. Abay Tadesse, our Junior Oratorical participant, won the trophy in his division. Congratulations! (Photo shows Abay holding his trophy, accompanied by Bp Thomas and Teen Advisors, Subdns. Vince Kaufmann & Ben Daniel.)
Saturday, March 10, 2012
FAITH & SCIENCE
Presented by Fr Victor Gorodenchuk
Pastor, St Stephen Cathedral, Philadelphia
In light of the history & nature of science, should we “dogmatize” that which current science believes is a well-established fact about such things as development of the Universe, of life, or of the writing of the Scriptures?
Is the story of Creation in Gen. 1 and 2 an attempt at a scientific description of how Creation happened? If science cannot explain everything about this world, is there another way in which we can approach Mystery?
Can there be a balance between scientific & mystical, between material & spiritual, between earth & heaven, so that the whole of Creation can lead us to the Creator?
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Babysitting & children’s activities will be provided. (Please call to register.)
There is no charge for this event.
To assist us in our planning, however, please call to let us know that you are coming.
~~ An offering will be received ~~
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Retreat Schedule:
9:00 a.m. Welcome & Refreshments
9:30 a.m. 3rd Hour & 1st Session - What We Think We Know
10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. 6th Hour & 2nd Session - Does the Scientific Approach Hold all the Keys?
12:30 p.m. Lenten Luncheon
1:30 p.m. 3rd Session - The Creation Story in Genesis: More than Meets the Eye
3:00 p.m. 9th Hour & Akathist “Glory to God for all Things”
4:00 - 4:30 p.m. Concluding remarks
- Finding a Balance so all of Creation can lead us to the Creator
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Q & A, Coffee, Fellowship, Book Table, and Confessions
6:00 p.m. Vespers
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Fr. Victor Gorodenchuk was born and raised in the Ukraine, which until early 1990s was part of Soviet Union. He grew up in a society that extolled science and often wrote off religion as only fit for the “uneducated.” After graduating High School, Fr. Victor went on to pursue his interest in physics and in 1995 received degree of Master of Science from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. While studying in Moscow, he discovered for himself Christian faith and through much discussion and reading was convinced of the truth of the beliefs of the Orthodox Church. In 1996, Fr. Victor received an opportunity to come to the United States to study at St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary. He was ordained to Holy Priesthood in 2004 and in 2005 he and his family moved to Philadelphia to serve at St. Stephen Orthodox Cathedral. Fr. Victor continues to have a lively interest in the questions of relationship of faith and science, both as these questions are presented by our society and as they can be viewed in the light of continuing advancements in our understanding of the Creation.
Penny McClintock is a nursing student and a certified EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), and participated in a summer mission trip Uganda with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. Following is her account of her experience.
The Work of the Holy Spirit is in Uganda
The OCMC - Orthodox Christian Mission Center
- organizes many different mission trips, centered upon healthcare,
teaching, or missionary work. As a twenty-one year old nursing student, I
joined a healthcare team based in Uganda. We spent two weeks setting up
healthcare clinics and administering basic medications through the
Orthodox Church in Uganda. This experience was incredibly humbling, and
one that I will carry with me in both my spiritual and professional life
as a nurse.
Our first day of setting up a healthcare clinic in a small town in rural Uganda was a mild frenzy. Our small team of eight Americans, consisting of two doctors, three nurses, and two students, was faced with the great challenge of providing basic medical care and medications to over a hundred Ugandans crowding around a church door and open window, which we turned into a makeshift doctor’s office and pharmacy. Amid the chaotic crowds waiting to receive their medicine, the piles of triage cards, and the constant chatter of mixed English and Lugandan (the major language spoken in the district of Sembabule), we managed to successfully treat and provide medication to children with intestinal worms, families stricken with malaria, babies with fevers, scalps balding due to ringworm, and women and men suffering from various STDs. Most patients received their prescriptions with enormous smiles, saying “Webale” (meaning “thank you”), and would depart us with a shake of the hand in gratitude. It felt wonderful to provide these people with the medicine they needed, eat with them, discuss our lives together, and connect over sharing a common faith although living an entire ocean apart.
However, not every patient’s story was one of success that day. Of the hundreds of faces I met, the face of a teenage girl, simple and serene, held slightly crooked while she walked from the church on a crutch, stands out in my mind from that first clinic. We were able to diagnose the large infected wound in her shoulder as osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone and bone marrow. Without treatment, her infection was becoming progressively worse. Even though our team offered her grandfather enough money to provide her transportation to a hospital, he refused to take her, and we had to leave the town that day knowing we could do nothing to help her. And yet, as our van made its way down the red dirt road away from the church, she smiled at us with the most grateful eyes, and waved us on our way.
Over the course of the next week, our team vastly improved our efficiency in triage and prescription filling in the pharmacy. We would transform a stone church filled with wooden pews into a waiting area, examination area, shot area, wound care area, a working pharmacy, and a medication dispensary. Our team worked together, along with the help of some wonderful translators and Ugandan Orthodox priests, to take what we learned from the chaos of the first clinic and turn it into a smooth and systematic operation.
However, riding down the bumpy road to our last clinic, none of us were prepared to be faced with our biggest challenge yet. The church we had to work with was not a large, empty room filled with convenient wooden benches, but a dark, tiny hut made of mud and straw. We had only a couple benches to use for the doctors and pharmacy, and there was already a line of people eagerly awaiting our arrival. Because it was too dark inside the church for the doctors to see, we had to set up outside… and there were dark rainclouds forming in the distance. But although we were using boxes to make work tables, filling prescriptions in the back of a van, and grabbing the medicine and running inside the church every time we felt raindrops, we managed to see every single person who came to us that day. Just as the girl with osteomyelitis welcomed what little help we had for her, and did not pout at her misfortune but responded to us only with gratitude for what we could give her, I felt that our meager resources that day only made us more determined to run a successful clinic. Despite the simple setup, we provided the same quality of care and medicine, and felt even deeper the spirit of the people we had come to help, experiencing life the way they do each day. This spirit-one of hospitality, gratitude, love, and delight in simplicity- is the most striking mark of the people in Uganda, and the most evident way that our team was able to experience the work of the Holy Spirit in Africa.
Very early on the morning of August 13, 5:30 a.m. to be exact, we left St Philip’s for the monastery. It was a long drive up, but it turned out to be totally worth it. Everyone was very welcoming upon our arrival; they almost immediately had us begin working!
The monastery is not what we would call "new," so it needs a lot of work done on it, and unfortunately with our lack of numbers and time we could not help them with as much as we would have liked, and as much as they need. Our first task was to move hundreds of hay bales from two huge wagons into the barn. It was a rough task, but the nuns were very thankful, because they said that it would have taken all of them two days to do that, whereas it took us two to three hours.
After that we got to meet many of their animals, which consist of goats, rams, sheep, chickens, cats, and two guard dogs. Some of us even got the chance to milk goats and bottle-feed baby goats.
Throughout the day we had a few church services, too. All of them were very spiritually beautiful.
Then in the afternoon, we moved all the contents (furniture, icons, etc.), out of a church building down the road and into a trailer. They hope soon to make this building a Bible study meeting place, after a group from Chicago comes and redoes the collapsing floor.
Our day ended with a very nice vigil and delicious dinner.
The next morning, a Sunday, we had liturgy with the nuns and their mission parishioners, and soon after, we left for our long journey home. It was an amazing experience, and we hope that next year we can go again with an even larger group.
By: Rachel Howanetz
Our new icon mural, the Dormition of the Theotokos, has been installed on the west wall of the church. On Saturday, August 13, we welcomed iconographer Nick Papas, who blessed us with a presentation on Church iconography and the Dormition icon mural in particular. The text of his presentation can be accessed here: Dormition-Meaning.
About 22 St. Philip's parishioners, both children and adults, gathered on Saturday, May 21, 2011, for a Missions Walk to help raise money for the Turkana people in Kenya. The distance walked varied from person to person; some walked a half a mile, while others walked three miles. It was a beautiful day, sunny, light breeze, with a temperature around 78 degrees. A special thanks to the OCMC, all of those from St. Philip's who participated, and all our generous donors.
On Sunday, March 27, St Philip's hosted the Lehigh Valley Orthodox Churches for a Lenten Vespers. Our featured speaker was Fr. Gerasim of St. Herman's Monastery in Platina, CA, who also served the Divine Liturgy with Fr. Noah and Dn. Herman on Sunday morning.
On Sunday, November 14, we celebrated the feast day of our patron, St Philip. Celebrating with us was Fr. Alexander Atty, Dean of St Tikhon's Seminary in South Canaan, PA, who in his homily challenged us to be neighbors to our neighbors, following the example of the Good Samaritan.
The Women of St Philip's hosted a Basket Auction and Harvest Luncheon Saturday, November 13. Thirty-one beautiful baskets, valued from $125 to $375, were available for bidding. In addition, there was a 50/50 raffle and more than 50 door prizes were given to our guests.
Baskets were provided by the faithful of St Philip's, as well as a few area businesses. Thank you!
All proceeds benefit the St Philip's Needy Fund, supporting needy families at St Philip's and in our area.
Thanks to all who worked, attended, and supported this event. Watch for our next event scheduled for fall 2012!
God's Blessings Come to St. Philip, Souderton, PA
By God's grace, the prayers for many, and the wisdom, love, and forbearance of Sayedna PHILIP and Sayedna THOMAS, much good for the Kingdom of God is being accomplished here in Souderton, PA.
We were recently blessed with a special visit from Bishop THOMAS, October 7-10.
Thursday Sayedna accompanied me and Cranford Coulter, the founder and director of The King's Jubilee, to Center City Philadelphia where a food, clothing, and a good word was shared with about 150 homeless and hungry people. (For more on The King's Jubilee see www.shoutforjoy.net)
Saturday our parish hosted the Deacons of the diocese for a retreat. It was a beautiful day full of prayer, education, and fellowship. The retreat leader, Dn. Nicholas Belcher, Dean of Students of Holy Cross Seminary, spoke to our parish in the afternoon regarding "Youth and Young Adult Ministry in an Age of Relativism". It was an excellent talk wherein he underlined the reality that LOVE = TRUTH, and the two
can not be separated. But since our relativistic society tells us otherwise, we must struggle to main this essential bond of truth and love in our minds, our hearts, and our actions.
The services were especially inspiring with all of the deacons "flying about like angels". All of the nervousness that this young priest inflicts upon himself when his bishop visits vanished during the powerful chanting of the Hierarchical Trisagion Hymn.
Our parish was especially blessed with the ordination to Sub-Deacon of two faithful men of the parish who desire to grow in ministry: Vincent Kaufmann and Ben Nectarios Daniel. Many years of service to God and His Holy Church to Ben and Vince and his wife and angelic little daughters!
Following Liturgy, Sayedna enjoyed a relaxed Coffee Hour and then spent quite a while visiting the Sunday School classes.
Besides the usual Lord's Day and Feast Day services and ministries that we undertake as faithfully, smoothly, and lovingly as possible, I'd like to highlight the following special undertakings:
+ Youth Choir will begin rehearsing for Vespers and Artoklasia for St. Nicholas. Also, every Sunday they join the choir after they've received Holy Communion to lead the congregation through the rest of the Liturgy.
+ The young women of our parish enjoyed a "Handmaidens' Tea" wherein they discussed opportunities for service for women: service professions, marriage, monasticism, missions, hospitality, baking Prosphora, etc... They each were given a copy of the wonderful book _The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos_ and encouraged in modesty, obedience to parents, and the Life in Christ.
+ We hosted an Open House on September 18th. It was an enjoyable day with, thank God, excellent weather, free food and children's activities, many visitors, engaging church tours, edifying lectures, information booths on parish ministries and other aspects of our Life in Christ, and a stirring choir concert. We learned a great lesson: Personal Invitations are the best way to bring people in.... Of the 35 visitors, only one of them came because of our advertising, the rest came as invited guests.
+ Our Altar Boys have been organized into executing their liturgical tasks and many clean-up tasks through the efforts of Deacon Herman and the older servers. Simeon Acker, our eldest server and captain, has them buzzing around like bees straightening up the church before they head out to Sunday School following Divine Liturgy.
+ At the request of many parishioners, we've added a regular mid-Week service: Wednesdays at 7 p.m. we offer different Akathist Services on a rotating basis. The Akathists have proven to be short, accessible, easy-to-participate-in services, and mid-Week boost; it has been a great blessing for myself and all who attend them.
+ Ben Daniel, one of the new subdeacons, will be teaching an adult Bible Study on the Book of Revelation with special reference to insights of the Fathers. We are hoping that this series will be a good outreach event and also strengthen our Orthodox understanding of eschatology against the wild speculations that many Christians hold.
At St. Philip's, the seeds of salvation have been planted into the rich soil of missions: modeled after the pattern of relational evangelism of its Patron, St. Philip the Holy Apostle (who invited a future-apostle to Christ with these simple words: "come and see"), under the blessing of Sayedna PHILIP and the inspiration of his dream to "make America Orthodox", and by green thumb Fr. Boniface Black. I ask for your prayers as we keep growing in missions and evangelism, an essential dimension of our faith in Christ, who was sent from heaven for the life of the world and its salvation.
Your Servant In Christ,
+ Fr. Noah
OPEN HOUSE - September 18, 2010
Tours, Concerts, Icons, Free Food & More!
Click here for a downloadable flyer.
Thank you to all who participated. We were very pleased to welcome so many guests. Come again!
The Ukrainian children's visits are being sponsored by the multi-denominational, nonprofit "Rainbow of Hope" program. Families who are interested in sponsoring visiting orphans are encouraged to contact Stephen Yagilnicky, President of The Love Cradle Mission: www.lovecradleint.org (215) 723-0263.
