About us...

Saint Matthew the Apostle Orthodox Church is a mission of the Orthodox Church in America's Diocese of the South.
As Orthodox Christians, we are devoted to cultivating the historic faith of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, founded upon Apostles and Prophets, with Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. We proclaim Christ crucified and risen, who reigns from heaven and is ever-present in the mystery of his Church.

Founded in the Spring of 2006 under the supervision of Father Ted Pisarchuk, we are committed to regular, weekly gatherings for services in English. Our congregation is made up of persons from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. At a service you're likely to meet people with Russian or Arab ancestry, as well as converts and inquirers. The younger children are sometimes active and restless during services. Nonetheless, all are welcome - the worship of God is for all people.

Most of our services are sung - we have service booklets for those who would like to sing along. We typically stand for much of the service. However, we do have chairs and you are welcome to sit as needed. You will notice considerable diversity in the way worshippers engage what is going on during our services. Making the sign of the cross, kissing icons and crosses, singing, standing, sitting, bowing, prostrating - each person engages the service personally, even as we all are worshipping together. One of the most delightful aspects of Orthodox worship is its "child-like" quality. Again, we are all children of God and we only enter His Kingdom when we become like little children.

For more reflections on Orthodox Christian worship, see this essay by Frederica Mathewes-Green, entitled "Twelve Things I Wish I'd Known..."

As of June 2008, we worship in the chapel of our book and icon shop located at 8775 Jefferson Highway, in Country Club Shadows, located between Essen and Drusilla. A map with directions is available on the left side bar of this site or by clicking here.

In February 2009, Father Mark Christian was ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence, Archbishop DMITRI of Dallas and the South, who appointed him as priest-in-charge of our mission.

Visitors are always welcome. Come and see!