WELCOME TO ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLE ORTHODOX CHURCH

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.

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.

CHRIST IS BORN!    GLORIFY HIM!

PARISHIONERS VISIT ORTHODOX MONASTERIES

   On Saturday the 12th of December, ten parishioners joined Fr. Joseph in a visit to the two Orthodox monasteries located near Ocala, Florida. After less than a two hour drive, the group first visited the women's monastery, Annunciation of the Holy Theotokos. Some quiet time was had in the church followed by group prayer. Then a trip to the icon store was a great delight. Part of the support of the monastery comes from the sale of icon prints prepared and mounted by the nuns. Then it was time for a delicious Lenten lunch prepared for us by the sisters. Our visit was concluded with a talk by the Abbess who described a typical day in the life of the monastery.
   Then it was off to Panagia Valhernon Greek Orthodox Monastery. We were graciously met by one of the monks and took part in a previously scheduled Panakhida. We wrote out the names of our departed for commemoration and enjoyed the chanting of the monks. A tour of the grounds and a visit to the bookstore followed. Then it was back to Tampa in time for vespers. All agreed that this short pilgrimage to these wonderful monastic communities added to the spiritual joy and benefit of the Nativity fast.

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.

ST. PHILIP PARISH SELECTED TO RETURN TO FLORIDA STATE FAIR

The Florida State Fair Authority has selected St. Philip the Apostle parish to return to the State Fair next February. Last year the parish had a successful run at the fair with its exhibit of icons. This year a lacquer box from the Russian Museum of Lacquer Boxes will be added. Joining a Yupik Eskimo hand beaded priest's pectoral cross, will be a bishop's prayer rope as well as a prayer rope from Romania. Once again, parishioners will man the booth 13 hours a day for 12 days. The fair runs from February 4 through the 15th. We praise God that He has seen fit for us to again undertake this important witness to Christ and to Orthodoxy.

PARISH CELEBRATES 4TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING,
FOUNDERS DAY AND THE FEAST OF ITS PATRON SAINT.

On Sunday, November 8th, a triple commemoration was celebrated. Four years ago, on November 6, 2005, St. Philip parish celebrated its first Divine Liturgy. Also commemorated on the 8th were the founders of the parish and also its patron St. Philip. A wonderful luncheon was had and then Panagia, one of our parishioners, entertained with her accordion. We thank God for the many blessings that he has showered upon the parish.

OCMC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR VISITS PARISH

On Sunday, October 4th, at Fr. Joseph's invitation, OCMC Communications Director Alex Goodwin addressed the parish regarding mission activity of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. A veteran of several mission trips to Africa, Alex encouraged the parishioners to seek to determine if God was calling them to participate in mission activity. Enlivening his talk with anecdotes of his missionary travels Alex gave an interesting and well received presentation at the end of Liturgy. Several parishioners have expressed an interest in participating in a mission trip and will make further inquiry regarding this. We pray that Jesus will use our parish for the continued spread of His Gospel.

DIOCESAN TREASURER VISITS PARISH

On Saturday, October 3rd, Diocesan Treasurer Milos Konjevich visited St. Philip parish. Milos spend a half hour discussing financial matters with a number of parishioners. He observed that St. Philip parish has done well in its handling of its finances and that it is continuing on a path of financial stability.  He then attended parish great vespers. We are all greatful to the Diocese of the South for its continued support, its interest in the parish and for sending Treasurer Milos to visit and to encourage us.

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 sermon from the preceding Sunday. Once a new sermon link is posted you will still be able to access all past sermons by clicking on "Audio Sermons" at the left.

A HEMBLE HEART IS A NECESSITY FOR PROFITABLE FASTING.
CLICK HERE

FASTING LETS US RISE ABOVE OUR SINS TO BETTER KNOW JESUS.
CLICK HERE

"LET DOWN THE NETS!" EVANGELISM PART I.
Click Here.

EVANGELIZING OURSELVES, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR FIRENDS. EVANGELISM PART II
Click Here

THE INCARNATION-GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLE.
CLICK HERE

CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST, THE BRIDE OF CHRIST AND THE FAMILY OF BELIEVERS
CLICK HERE

THE PARABLE OF THE FOOLISH RICH MAN-ORTHODXY AND WEALTH
CLICK HERE

MONASTICISM-THE LEVAN OF ORTHODOXY
CLICK HERE

THE MANHATTAN DECLARATION-
THE COMING CHRSTIAN PERSECUTION AND CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.
CLICK HERE

THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN-A CALL TO SERVE ALL WHO ARE IN NEED.

The Lord used the parable of the Good Samaritan to define who is our neighbor and to illustrate what is expected of us as neighbor. Click Here.

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.