St. Philip the Apostle Orthodox Church
Orthodox Church in America
9100 El Portal Dr. Tampa, Florida 33604
Nativity 2013
Nativity 2013
Nativity 2013

CHRIST IS BORN!    GLORIFY HIM!

 
Praying at Great Vespers
Praying at Great Vespers
Praying at Great Vespers
Fr. Joseph prays at Litya
Fr. Joseph prays at Litya
Fr. Joseph prays at Litya
Praying befor the Icon
Praying befor the Icon
Praying befor the Icon
Nicholas chants at Great Vespers
Nicholas chants at Great Vespers
Nicholas chants at Great Vespers
Holy Supper
Holy Supper
A Fine Fasting Meal
A Fine Fasting Meal
A Fine Fasting Meal
A Good Time for All
A Good Time for All
A Good Time for All

HOLY SUPPER

On the eve of the Nativity, Great Vespers was celebrated beginning at 6 pm. Holy Supper followed. Over 30 people participated in this festive lenten meal. After cleaning up, we returned to the Temple for Great Compline. At it is completion we returned to our homes in joyful anticipation of the next morning's Divine Liturgy.

DORMITION 2013
Tomb and shroud of Theotokos
Tomb and shroud of Theotokos
Tomb and shroud of Theotokos
Fr. Joseph censes tomb
Fr. Joseph censes tomb
Fr. Joseph censes tomb
Flowers are blessed
Flowers are blessed
Flowers are blessed
Parishioners receive blessed flowers
Parishioners receive blessed flowers
Parishioners receive blessed flowers
 

Diocesan Assembly 2013
Archbishop Nikon begins Divine Liturgy
Archbishop Nikon begins Divine Liturgy
Archbishop Nikon begins Divine Liturgy
Fr. Joseph celebrates vespers for the Assembly
Fr. Joseph celebrates vespers for the Assembly
Fr. Joseph celebrates vespers for the Assembly
Fr. Joseph preaches
Fr. Joseph preaches
Fr. Joseph preaches
Some of the delegates
Some of the delegates
Some of the delegates
 

2013 DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY HELD IN JACKSONVILLE

   During the last week of July the annual Diocesan Assembly was held in Jacksonville, Florida. Priests and lay delegates from across the dioceses assembled to conduct matters necessary for the diocese. The major accomplishment was the adoption of bylaws for the Diocese of the South. These new bylaws may be viewed on the DOS website. Fr. Joseph celebrated vespers for the assembly on Wednesday evening and delivered a sermon on carrying our cross. It was announced that the search for a new bishop goes on and in the interim Archbishop Nikon will continue to serve as our locum tenens.

 
Pascha 2013
Christ is Risen!

CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!

This year's Holy Week was especially joyful. On Flowery (Palm) Sunday we had an adult Baptism and Chrismation. We started at 9:00 am with the Baptism and most of the parishioners were present. On Holy Wednesday we had a record turn out for the Hoy Unction service. On Thursday the reading of the passion gospels was well attended. Holy and Great Friday was a most moving service. On Holy Saturday morning we changed from dark to light vestment colors and for the first time our new Holy Table vestment was unveiled. We began the Pascal  services at 11:30 pm. We were honored to have Fr. Pavel celebrate with us. His presence allowed the gospel to  be chanted in Church Slavonic as well as Latin and English. Breakfast was a joyful gathering.

 
We bless our foods and it is time for breakfast.
We bless our foods and it is time for breakfast.
We bless our foods and it is time for breakfast.
Pascha
Early in the morning on the first day of the week.
Early in the morning on the first day of the week.
Early in the morning on the first day of the week.
Knocking with the censer   on the Church Door.
Knocking with the censer on the Church Door.
Knocking with the censer on the Church Door.
Fr. Joseph Incenses.  Fr. Pavel Holds the Cross.
Fr. Joseph Incenses. Fr. Pavel Holds the Cross.
Fr. Joseph Incenses. Fr. Pavel Holds the Cross.
Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
 
Good Friday Evening Processing with the shroud.
Good Friday Evening Processing with the shroud.
Good Friday Evening Processing with the shroud.
Reentering the church under the shroud.
Reentering the church under the shroud.
Reentering the church under the shroud.
Replacing the shroud in the tomb.
Replacing the shroud in the tomb.
Replacing the shroud in the tomb.
The faithful come forward and reverence the shroud.
The faithful come forward and reverence the shroud.
The faithful come forward and reverence the shroud.
 
Wednesday Evening Adding wine to oil for Holy Unction.
Wednesday Evening Adding wine to oil for Holy Unction.
Wednesday Evening Adding wine to oil for Holy Unction.
Thursday Evening Reading of the Passion Gospels.
Thursday Evening Reading of the Passion Gospels.
Thursday Evening Reading of the Passion Gospels.
Good and Holy Friday at 3 pm. The Tomb is prepared.
Good and Holy Friday at 3 pm. The Tomb is prepared.
Good and Holy Friday at 3 pm. The Tomb is prepared.
Good Friday Vespers The shroud is brought out.
Good Friday Vespers The shroud is brought out.
Good Friday Vespers The shroud is brought out.
PASCHA IN GULU, UGANDA
Let God arise...
Let God arise...
Let God arise...
Fr. George preaches.
Fr. George preaches.
Fr. George preaches.
Blessing the eggs.
Blessing the eggs.
Blessing the eggs.
Knocking eggs just like we do.
Knocking eggs just like we do.
Knocking eggs just like we do.
 

PASCHA IN UGANDA

 

   Fr. George celebrated Pascha with his parishioners at St. Basil the Great parish in Gulu, Uganda. Truly this is one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Father wore a set of Paschal vestments that were a gift to him from Fr. Joseph. Note the way they decorated the eggs compared to our red eggs.

Palms and Pussy Willows begin Holy Week.
Fr. Joseph censes.
Fr. Joseph censes.
Fr. Joseph censes.
Fr. Joseph intones the blessing.
Fr. Joseph intones the blessing.
Fr. Joseph intones the blessing.
Passing out Palms and Willows.
Passing out Palms and Willows.
Passing out Palms and Willows.
Even a palm for Michael.
Even a palm for Michael.
Even a palm for Michael.
 

Baptizm and Chrismation adds to Palm Sunday
The prayers of exorcism.
The prayers of exorcism.
The prayers of exorcism.
Spitting on the devil.
Spitting on the devil.
Spitting on the devil.
Blessing the baptismal water.
Blessing the baptismal water.
Blessing the baptismal water.
Applying the Oil of Gladness
Applying the Oil of Gladness
Applying the Oil of Gladness
 
Baptized in the name of the Father,
Baptized in the name of the Father,
Baptized in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Son,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
and of the Holy Spirit.
and of the Holy Spirit.
Putting on the baptismal cross.
Putting on the baptismal cross.
Putting on the baptismal cross.
 
The Seal of the Gift
The Seal of the Gift
The Seal of the Gift
of the Holy Spirit.
of the Holy Spirit.
of the Holy Spirit.
Washing the new Orthodox Christian.
Washing the new Orthodox Christian.
Washing the new Orthodox Christian.
Tonsure.
Tonsure.
Tonsure.
 

GEORGINA MALONE IS BAPTIZED AND CHRISMATED. 

  On Palm Sunday with the parish in attendance Georgina Malone was Baptized and Chrismated as an Orthodox Christian. She was given the name Monica as a sign of her new life in Christ. Georgina meet us at the Florida State Fair. With family and friends present, she was received into the Church to the great joy of the parishioners.

Pan-Orthodox Vespers
Clergy from many Orthodox Jurisdictions.
Clergy from many Orthodox Jurisdictions.
Clergy from many Orthodox Jurisdictions.
Incensing the Cross.
Incensing the Cross.
Incensing the Cross.
Fr. Joseph begs for donations for the clinic.
Fr. Joseph begs for donations for the clinic.
Fr. Joseph begs for donations for the clinic.

PAN-ORTHODOX VESPERS HELD AT PARISH.

   On April 7, the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, the Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Tampa Bay celebrated Pan-Orthodox vespers at St. Philip Church. Six priests celebrated the service and parishioners from many different parishes were in attendance. At the end of vespers a collection for the building of the medical clinic in Uganda was taken up and by the Grace of God, $8,695 was collected. Following vespers a Lenten meal was served by the parishioners of St. Philip.


March for Life 2013

 

Met. Tikhon and Fr. Joseph   talk before start of march.
Met. Tikhon and Fr. Joseph talk before start of march.
Met. Tikhon and Fr. Joseph talk before start of march.
Archbishop Nikon and Fr. Joseph
Archbishop Nikon and Fr. Joseph
Archbishop Nikon and Fr. Joseph
Our banner held high.
Our banner held high.
Our banner held high.

LARGE ORTHODOX PRESENCE AT 2013 MARCH FOR LIFE

   On January 25th hundreds of thousands of pro life demonstrators gathered in Washington D.C. for the fortieth anniversary of the infamous Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade. This decision, which legalized the slaughter of the innocent in the womb by abortion, was handed down on January 22, 1973. This year the march was held on the 25th to allow for clean up after the presidential inauguration.    Marchers from all across the country gathered on the Washington mall to hear speeches and prayers from church and political leaders. Metropolitan Tikhon spoke and then, accompanied by other Orthodox Church in America hierarchs, led a large contingent of OCA clergy, seminarians and laity form all parts of America. With a large banner proclaiming "Orthodox Christians For Life" as a back drop the hierarchs led the Orthodox contingent in the march down Constitution Avenue. A prayer service was then held in front of the Supreme Court building.     Fr. Joseph, who was in attendance, said that being surrounded by so many pro life supports of all faiths gave him hope and faith that one day this greatest sin of our nation will be again outlawed. He observed that the majority of marchers were high school and college age young people many carrying signs that proclaimed "We are the pro life generation." Father was uplifted that there was another generation ready to take its rightful place in the defense of the sanctity of life.    At St. Philip parish on the evening of January 22nd, a molieben of repentance for our country's sins of abortion was offered and more than half of the parish was present.


Theophany 2010

(11 images)



Holy Week 2009

Great and Holy Week 2009 at St. Philip Orthodox Church

(33 images)


Florida State Fair Tampa 2009

Florida State Fair 2009

PARISH ENDS SUCCESSFUL RUN AT FLORIDA STATE FAIR IN TAMPA

13 hours a day for 12 consecutive days the parish manned its booth in the main exhibition hall at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. Despite the economy, overall attendance ecceeded 425,000.  The reception of our display was beyond what we had expected. Thousands of visitors thanked us for "sharing such beautiful things with [them]". As expected, Archbishop Dmitri's miter, which he loaned to us, was the most admired item in our display. We lost track of the number of unchurched Orthodox that we gave directions to for the Orthodox parish near them.  Inquirers were given more detailed information and literature and were invited to visit an Orthodox church near them. Innumerable visitors stopped to ask us what is Orthodoxy, and what do we believe. On the final night of the Fair a passerby was heard to say to his companion "All of the [protestant] churches and only the Orthodox are here to witness to Jesus." To Him belongs the glory." We have planted, God will supply the rain. Others may reap but "the reaper and the sower shall rejoice together." 

(11 images)


Hamilton "Isaac" Royal's Chrismation

Hamilton Isaac Royal is Third Convert

January 25, 2009 Hamilton Royal was received into the Holy Orthodox Church through Chrismation. Receiving the name Isaac for the heavenly patron Isaac the Syrian, he became our third convert.

(9 images)


Diocesan Assembly 2008

Diocesan Assembly 2008 - 06/25/08

Diocesan Assembly 2008 Dallas, Texas

(12 images)


Personal Pentecost of Catherine Scott

Chrismation of Catherine (Julie) Scott

(8 images)


Holy Week 2008

Holy Week 2008

A wonderful and spiritual Holy Week.

(7 images)


2008 March for Life Washington D.C.

2008 March for Life. - 01/22/08

Fr. Joseph attended the January 22nd March for Life in Washington, D.C. seeking to overturn legalized abortion in our country.

(10 images)


Theophany 2008. Blessing the Hillsborough River

Theophany 2008. Blessing the Hillsborough River - 01/05/08

On the eve of Theophany the parish gathered at Sulphur Springs Park to celebrate Great Vespers and the Great Blessing of Waters as well as to bless the Hillsborough River.

(8 images)


DECEMBER 15,2006 VISIT BY ARCHBISHOP DMITRI

FR. JOSEPH GREETS THE ARCHBISHOP - 12/15/06

(7 images)


FESTAL ICONS

FESTAL ICONS

HERE ARE A NUMBER OF THE FESTAL ICONS OBTAINED BY THE PARISH THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE GENEROSITY OF THOSE THAT GAVE TO THE MEMORIAL FUND FOR OUR BELOVED FOUNDER BILL FINZER.

(11 images)


Church Renovation

Church Renovation

We renovate our just purchased building into an Orthodox temple and social hall.

(9 images)


Using Our Social Hall
Celebrating the feast of St. Philip.
Celebrating the feast of St. Philip.
Celebrating the feast of St. Philip.
New friends and good food.
New friends and good food.
New friends and good food.


St. Philip the Apostle Orthodox Church, of the OCA Diocese of the South, is centrally located in Tampa, FL serving the entire Tampa Bay area.
Our phone number is (813) 933-9807.
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Schedule
Tuesday, March 19
7:00 Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (Part 2)
Wednesday, March 20
7:00 Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (Part 3)
Thursday, March 21
7:00 Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (Part 4)
SERMONS BY FR. JOSEPH

FR. JOSEPH'S SERMON ON SUPREME COURT DECISION REDEFINING MARRIAGE.
A sermon by Fr. Joseph regarding the recent Supreme Court decision legalizing same sex "marriage" and what should be the reaction of the Orthodox Church and of individual Orthodox Christians. Click here.

Video


Location
St. Philip the Apostle Orthodox Church
9100 El Portal Dr.; Tampa, FL 33604
Detailed Map

The Mission of The Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

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St. Philip the Apostle Orthodox Church is part of the Diocese of the South, which is presided over by His Grace Alexander, Bishop of Dallas and the South. Our mission is bringing the joy of Christ's resurrection to those who have never heard the Good News, and to strengthen and encourage the faithful who reside within Old Forge and the local area. 

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The Holy Scripture is a collection of books written over multiple centuries by those inspired by God to do so. It is the primary witness to the Orthodox Christian faith, within Holy Tradition and often described as its highest point. It was written by the prophets and apostles in human language, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and collected, edited, and canonized by the Church.

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Holiness or sainthood is a gift (charisma) given by God to man, through the Holy Spirit. Man's effort to become a participant in the life of divine holiness is indispensable, but sanctification itself is the work of the Holy Trinity, especially through the sanctifying power of Jesus Christ, who was incarnate, suffered crucifixion, and rose from the dead, in order to lead us to the life of holiness, through the communion with the Holy Spirit.

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