WELCOME TO ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLE ORTHODOX CHURCH
Located in Tampa, Florida we are a parish of the Orthodox Church in America founded by our present pastor, Fr. Joseph and five others. Our first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on November 6, 2005. Our parish is a mix of both cradle Orthodox and converts. We are young and old, families and single members. We come from all parts of the country as well as Russia, Moldova, Romania, Greece, Lebanon and the West Indies. The parish is a warm and loving community. We welcome all visitors, be they traveling Orthodox, inquirers, or those who are curious to experience the joy of the Divine Liturgy in English. Fr. Joseph welcomes your calls at (813) 933-9807.
Our website contains much information about our parish and about Orthodoxy in general. Our menu above will take you to our services schedule, driving directions and contact information. “About Orthodoxy” will take you to pages of information about the faith in easy to read and understand “Q & A” format. Fr. Joseph’s sermons are available in streaming audio or may be down loaded to an mp3 player.
God bless you and please return to our website often.
WE ARE MORE THAN A LOCAL PARISH. WE ARE ALSO A MISSIONARY PARISH.
At St. Philip we try our best to love God and to love our neighbor. Our full schedule of services helps us with loving God and our outreach activities provide opportunities to love our neighbor. We have a year round food collection for the poor. Our entire Christmas collection is used for other charitable works throughout the year. We have sent eight short term missionary throughout the world. We have sent four parishioners to Africa, one to Guatemala, two to Alaska and a parishioner to work building housing for the poor in Mexico.
Our major project is the building of a medical clinic in northern Uganda, just thirty miles south of the South Sudan boarder. It opened to serve the poorest of God's children on January 15, 2014. On August 6, 2016, a maternity ward annex was added. You may visit the website of the clinic by clicking here.
BLESSING OF VEHICLES FOR FEAST OF ST. ELIJAH
In iconography, the Holy Prophet Elijah is depicted as going up to heaven in a fiery chariot. Each year on a Sunday before or after the feast of St. Elijah, cars, SUVs, trucks and motorcycles belonging to the parishioners are blessed. God is entreated that those who ride in them will be kept safe.
PARISH PRAYING AND FASTING FOR PEACE AND UNITY IN AMERICA
Our country is divided and seems to be filled with hatred and anger. Jesus said that some demons can only be cast out by prayer and fasting. On the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm we will pray an Akathist to the Theotokos for the salvations of our nation and for the quenching of these terrible fires of division and violence. While most Wednesdays are fast days we have asked each parishioner to fast as strictly as is commensurate with their individual health needs and to pray individually for the country. At every service we have added an intercessory prayer particularly for this great need of America.
COME AND SEE
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."
All Liturgies and services are in English. Inquirers and visitors are always welcome as our guests.
We look forward to worshiping and growing in the faith with you.