The Protection of the Holy Theotokos
Russian Orthodox Church
Welcome to our church! Добро пожаловать в нашу церковь!
Our Christian Orthodox church is a missionary parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. We serve the Greater Austin area.
Services: Divine Liturgy every Sunday at 10:00 a.m., preceded by the Third and Sixth Hours.
Ninth Hour and Vespers every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
All services are in both English and Russian, with melodies of the Russian tradition. For a more detailed calendar of services, click here.
Location: 5401-B Clay Avenue, just off Burnet Road in north Austin. The chapel is hard to spot from the street, so if you are coming please read the more detailed directions here.
Priests: Rev. Father Aidan (Keller), (512) 317-2197, is assigned to Protection church from the Eastern America diocese. Rev. Father Cassian Sibley of College Station, Texas, is the rector.
All are welcome.
All services are open to the public, and everyone is invited to join us.
Se habla espanol.
Church name. The church is called Protection of the Holy Theotokos ("Theotokos" is a Greek word meaning "Mother of God.") This refers to the Virgin Mary, because she was the mother of a divine Child--Jesus Christ. In early centuries of the Christian faith, the Virgin Mary was seen praying to God for the Christian capital, Constantinople. The city was under attack from Muslim armies, but prayer scattered them and the Christian population was spared.
History. In 2001 the church was begun by Russian Orthodox believers. During 2001-2004 the chapel was remodeled and occasional services were held by Fr. Ljubomir Kupec, visiting from Houston, Texas. In July 2007 Bishop Peter of Cleveland assigned Fr. Cassian Sibley of College Station, Texas, and monthly Liturgies began. In September 2008, Fr. Aidan (Keller) of Austin was assigned, and weekly Liturgies began.
Choir: Dominica McGinnis (choirmistress), Ludmila Voskov, Lydia Kidd, Anastassy Pochi, Katherine McGinnis, and Sarah McGinnis. If you would like to sing with us, please come to the services and afterwards let a choir member or Fr. Aidan know of your interest.
Officers: James Dmitri Mercier, warden and altar server; Anastasiya Farukshina, Russian secretary; Dominica McGinnis, English secretary; Yulia Cole, treasurer; Ludmila Voskov, committee member. Our webmistress is Yekaterina Turikova.
Why the Russian Church? The Orthodox Church has various church administrations in the world. For example, the Greek Church serves the people of Greece, in Greek. The Russian Church serves people of Russia, in Russian, and so on. In America there are also many English-speaking Christians, ministered to in English. But just what is the "Orthodox Church"?
The Orthodox Church is the oldest of all Christian churches. She was active in the world even before the New Testament was written. To this day, she remains faithful to the teachings of Christ, preserving the original Holy Bible and the original Christian belief and way of prayer. In the 20th century Russian Orthodox Christianity passed through unbelievable persecution, suffering together with her Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Therefore this Church has a special contribution or witness to give the other churches. This witness speaks of genuine self-sacrifice in following Christ's path. This witness is needed today in America, where Christian faith has largely become watered down, a pick-and-choose approach to prayer, morals, and truth. Russian Orthodox Christianity can teach us authentically how to take up our cross, to follow Christ, and to become transformed by His grace.
We invite all people in the Austin area to join us for prayer and worship, and to browse our collection of Orthodox books and icons.
To schedule a house or car blessing, baptism, or memorial, or to request a presentation on Orthodox Christianity for your group, call Fr. Aidan at (512) 317-2197 or email hieromonachusaidanus@yahoo.com.
God bless you!
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