WELCOME TO ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLE ORTHODOX CHURCH

PARISH HOSTS SUNDAY LENTEN VESPERS.

On the second Sunday of the Great Fast St. Philip parish hosted the 2nd of 5 Sunday night lenten vespers sponsered by the Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Greater Tampa Bay. Orthodox Christians from all over the Tampa Bay area were in attendance. Following vespers, a light lenten dinner was served. We were honored to show hospitality to our fellow Orthodox.

SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY IS A DOUBLE BLESSING.

On Sunday the 21st of February, the parish celebrated not only the triumph of icons over the movement to banish them from our churches, which is commemorated each year on the first Sunday of the Great Fast, but also we rejoiced at the entrance into the catechumenate of our long time attendee William Lawrence Oberst. The husband of our parish council vice-president Tandova Ecenia, William has been a great joy to know and to be friends with. Likewise, he has given freely of his time and talents to the parish. We all look forward to that time when he is received fully into Holy Orthodoxy.

PARISH FININSHES 2ND YEAR AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR.

From February 4th through the 15th, the parish once again staffed its exhibit booth at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. Presenting an exhibit of icons and liturgical items such as a chalice, Gospel book and a bishop's miter, Fr. Joseph and parish volunteers witnessed to Christ and to Holy Orthodoxy 13 hours a day for all 12 days of the fair. Contact was made with scores of non-practicing Orthodox and many were directed to Orthodox parishes near them regardless of jurisdiction. Hundreds stopped to find out about Orthodoxy, iconography and many of the traditions of the Church. Several people sought spiritual guidance from Fr. Joseph. Although the weather was the worst in forty years, cutting attendance by 25%, considering our contact with an inquiring public the parish endeavor was a success nonetheless.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON.

Once again a large contingent of Orthodox Christians from across the country joined in the annual March for Life. Held every year to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court case legalizing abortion, the march gives voice to the majority of Americans who hold all life to be sacred from conception to natural ending. Fr. Joseph again was present with many other Orthodox Christians, both clergy and laity, to lend support to this noble cause. For the first time all of the hierarchs of the Orthodox Church in America were present for the march. The OCA is the primary Orthodox presence at the March. We pray that this national tragedy of abortion will soon end.

CLERGY HOLD MEETING IN FORT WORTH.

During the second week of January clergy from throughout the Diocese of the South gathered for their annual mid-winter meeting. This year St. Barbara parish in Fort Worth, Texas hosted the priests and deacons. A combination retreat and workshops, the meeting also allows time for the clergy to fellowship and to exchange experiences and ideas regarding parish life and the needs of the Orthodox Christians entrusted to them. This year Metropolitan Jonah presided as locum tenens of the diocese. While the search for a new diocesan bishop continues there are no concrete developments. We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit that a worthy successor to our beloved Archbishop Dmitri be found.

CHRIST IS BAPTIZED!         IN THE JORDAN!

Record cold temperatures forced the Great Blessing of Waters inside. Anticipating temperatures in the 30s the Great Vespers and the Blessing of Water was moved inside rather than at Lowry Park in Tampa. The next morning after Divine Liturgy, the parishioners traveled 1-1/4 miles to Lowry Park in Tampa. At the boat ramp the Hillsborough River was blessed. Hopefully next year we will have more seasonable weather. But we are thankful for clear skies and for the joy of celebrating the manifestation of our Triune God. For a slide show of both blessings click here.

PARISH CONTINUES  MISSION HERITAGE.
WILL SEND THREE ON MISSION TRIPS TO AFRICA.

   St. Philip the Apostle mission parish was founded four years ago in Tampa, Florida. This coming summer the parish will send three on mission trips to Africa through the auspices of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.

   Jean Jolly, Phd., a retired school administrator, will travel to Tanzania on a teaching trip. Karlene Kunz, a professor of nursing, will join a medical team to northern Uganda. Fr. Joseph will lead the medical mission. The entire parish is involved with the mission trips through prayer, encouragement and fund raising.

  This missionary activity is a direct result of a visit to the parish by Alex Goodwin of O.C.M.C. Each person traveling on an O.C.M.C. mission trip must raise their own costs. This includes airfare, visas, inoculations, and malaria prevention pills as well as a set amount to be used for the team needs for housing, food, the hiring of interpreters, in-country transportation, etc. It is estimated that the total cost for each person will be about $4,500.00. Additionally, the medical team must also raises money for medical supplies, etc.

   Fr. Joseph says that none of this would be possible without the support of the entire parish. He says that missionary activity is an important part of St. Philip parish and its history. It was founded not by a core group already in Tampa but by a small band of five missionaries from Holy Trinity in Safety Harbor, Florida who believed that Tampa needed an Orthodox parish with services in English. In February of 2009 the parish created and staffed a booth at the Florida State Fair to witness for Christ and Orthodoxy to the over 400,000 fair visitors. Almost every parishioner participated, many taking vacation from work, since the booth must be manned 13 hours a day for the entire 12 days of the fair.

   For more information on our mission teams click here.

SOMETHING NEW-A VIRTUAL TOUR OF OUR FACILITIES

We have a new section that offers a virtual tour of our Temple and of our social hall. For the tour click here.

NEW HOME PAGE FEATURE.

As a new feature for our home page a link on the home page will take you to the audio of the sermons from the three preceding Sundays. You can still access all past sermons by clicking on "Audio Sermons" at the left.

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ON FASTING - PART II

The conclusion of St. John's sermon on fasting emphasizing that we must guard not so much what goes into our mouth as what comes out of it. Click Here

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ON FASTING - PART I

The beginning of St. John's sermon on the necessity and manor of fasting. Click Here

FORGIVENESS FROM THE HEART

Why is forgiveness of those who have injured us necessary for a successful Great Fast? Click Here

LAST JUDGEMENT

A discussion of the necessity of good works for our salvation. Also a look at the judgement of God. Click Here

HERE ARE SOME SERMON SERIES AND SOME SINGLE SERMONS THAT MAY BE HELPFUL.

SERMON SERIES ON DOUBT

   On May 3rd, Fr. Joseph began a two part sermon series on doubt. This first part dealt with doubt caused by trying to assimilate worldly values into are lives. By trying to be "of the world" when we are not. Part I may be heard by clicking here.
   On May 10th, Fr. Joseph gave Part II of the sermon series on doubt. He explored doubt as occasioned by the scandals in the church. To liseten to Part II click here.
   For a complete selection of Fr. Joseph's sermon's ranging from the Sacraments to Funeral Practices to Respect Life from conception to natural death, click on "Audio Sermons" at the left.

SERMON ON PRESENT ECONOMIC SITUATION

On October 12th, Fr. Joseph preached a sermon applying Orthodox beliefs to the present economic times.  True believers must show the world that they have faith in our provident Father. While America has put its trust in money, we, Orthodox, must help it to instead put its trust in God. To listen to the sermon click here.

SERMON SERIES ON THE HOLY MYSTERIES (SACRAMENTS)

A sermon series on the Holy Mysteries of the Orthodox Church by Fr. Joseph is available here on our website.  This series, consisting of twelve parts, explores the seven sacraments as well as grace itself. Since we are a sacramental Church, Fr. Joseph thought it appropriate that we should explore these great gifts from God.  Whether we are senior citizen cradle Orthodox or recent converts, these sermons shed light on the history, ritual and grace giving aspect of each of the Holy Mysteries. They may be played either as streaming audio or down loaded to an iPod or an mp3 player.  To see the varying topics dealing with the sacraments as well as other past sermons click here.

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PARISH FEATURED IN DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

The latest issue of the Diocese of the South newspaper, The Dawn, carries a full page story about St. Philip the Apostle parish.  Fr. Joseph was asked to author an article featuring the use of technology by the mission for both iconography and evangelization. The article may be viewed in the online edition of The Dawn by double clicking here and scrolling to page 3.

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BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY

Our dream of a Christian bereavement ministry for all of Tampa has begun.  In July our Sue Finzer, herself a widow, attended a week long bereavement ministry facilitator course in Massachusetts.  If you or someone you know has lost a loved one and could use some help dealing with the loss please call Sue at (727) 692-9227.

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PRAY MINISTRY

Please click on our "Prayer Ministry" at left and if possible print the list of intentions and pray for them daily. This is a wonderful way to serve Jesus by serving the needs of those listed through prayer. We have recently received a number of urgent requests dealing with the health and welfare of children as well as several of our parishioners.  Please pray daily for all of these intentions.

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SEE WHAT ORTHODOXY IS DOING FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

Click on "Orthodox Pro Life" at left. It also contains a link to the Zoe website which is the Orthodox pro life ministry.

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St. Philip the Apostle is a mission parish of the Orthodox Church in America and is under the authority of His Beaditude Jonah, Metropolitan of all America and Canada and Locum Tenens of the Diocese of the South. Its purpose is threefold; to bring the true faith of Orthodoxy to Tampa and the Bay area in a parish where all services are in English, to seek out those Orthodox Christians in the Tampa Bay area who have fallen away from the practice of their faith, and to bring Orthodoxy to all citizens of the Bay area including Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

On Nov. 6th, 2005 we celebrated our first Divine Liturgy in our new church at 9100 El Portal Drive. We are located just south of Chamberlain High School behind the North Branch Library.

If you are looking for the church that was founded by Christ, where the truth has been taught unchanged for 2,000 years, then visit us. If you want to hear the gospel proclaimed without fear or apology, then visit us. If you are looking for a loving spiritual home, then visit us. As St. Philip said to Nathaniel: "Come and see."

Sunday Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 am.

Saturday evening vespers begins at 6 pm.

Bible Study is on Wednesday evenings following vespers which begins at 7 PM. All are welcome and can join the class at any time.

All Liturgies and services are in English. Inquirers and visitors are always welcome as our guests.

Fr. Joseph can be contacted at the numbers and address provided at the left under "contact information". We look forward to worshiping and growing in the faith with you.