Teen SOYO brings its members to a deeper devotion to the Holy Orthodox Church, its faith, canons and worship. Teen SOYO creates and fosters ministries to encourage Members to commit themselves to living the Orthodox Faith daily. The combination of Worship, Witness, Service and Fellowship are the natural expressions of that commitment. The ultimate goal of Teen SOYO is to fully integrate each teen into the full life of the Church, to create a safe and nurturing environment for teenagers to grow in Christ, and to form spiritual and social bonds between each individual so that a profound and life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ and His Holy Church can be realized.
Troparion of St John Chrysostom: Patron Saint of SOYO
Grace shining forth from your lips like a beacon has enlightened the universe. It has shown to the
world the riches of poverty. It has revealed to us the heights of humility. Teaching us by your
words, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede before the Word, Christ our God, to save our souls.
Teen SOYO is open to the youth of the parish ages 13-19. Parents must register their children in the SOYO program.
Altar servers assist the clergy during Divine services.
Altar servers are males who are at least 9 years of age, baptised/chrismated Orthodox Christians in good standing. Altar servers are scheduled in a regular rotation. If you are unable to attend on a week you are scheduled please contact the Deacon as soon as possible.
For those intersted in becoming an altar server please contact Deacon for more information.
The Christian Education ministry at St. Mary's is dedicated to partnering with parents in the raising of our children in the "one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic" faith of our fathers which has been preserved and passed down to us within the teachings of the Holy Orthodox Church. It is our endeavor to help students understand not only what the Bible teaches, what happens during services, and the meaning of all the sacraments, but also the primary importance of connecting with God through our prayer life both as an individual, and together as a family and community. We strive to meet students where they are and provide opportunities for them to connect with God, each other and to serve others.
Sunday school is available to the youth of the parish: ages 4-13. Parents must register their children in the sunday school and SOYO programs.
"Of all holy works, the education of children is the most holy."
+St. Theophan the Recluse
The primary goal of the Antiochian Men is to help each other become more like God. Our priority is to model our lives after the Holy Trinity.
Serving the Church: identify the needs of the our parish and work to meet those unique needs
Be Positive Role Models: mentorship for younger men
Appropriating the Gospel of Christ: applying wisdom and the life within the Orthodox tradition to the circumstances facing men today.
Fellowship with a Spiritual Focus: being prayer leaders in the church, communicate circumstances where prayers is need and actively pray for those in need, organize and encourage regular fellowship events.
Men in the parish ages 18 and up are welcome to join.
Rooted in our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ and inspired by St. Ignatius of Antioch, the second-century bishop and martyr, The Order cultivates unconditional love and generosity of spirit by engaging all Antiochian Orthodox Christian faithful in the work of the Archdiocese. The Order is devoted to charitable acts and financial support for youth, clergy, seminarians, and our neighbors in need.
Anyone interested in joining the Order should contact our parish ambassador, Deacon Innocent, for more information & an application.
"Sometimes called the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Orthodox Church is the first Christian Church, the Church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ and described in the pages of the New Testament. Her history can be traced in unbroken continuity all the way back to Christ and His Twelve Apostles. For twenty centuries, she has continued in her undiminished and unaltered faith and practice. Today her apostolic doctrine, worship, and structure remain intact. The Orthodox Church maintains that the Church is the living Body of Jesus Christ."
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.
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