St. Raphael of Brooklyn Orthodox Church
Orthodox Church in America - Diocese of the South
1277 N. Paul Dr., Inverness, FL 34453
In memory

Iwan Butenko has fallen asleep with the Lord today (9-8-2023).

Details will be available later. 

May his memory be eternal. 

 His family is arranging a funeral in New Jersey to honor his memory. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Nina, during this  time

Welcome to St. Raphael of Brooklyn Orthodox Church
New Icon of Saint Raphael of Brooklyn
New Icon of Saint Raphael of Brooklyn
New Icon of Saint Raphael of Brooklyn

1277 N. Paul Drive

Inverness, FL 34453

 

 

Welcome to St. Raphael of Brooklyn Orthodox Church.  We are an American Orthodox Church, part of the Orthodox Church in America, which is an autocephalous (self-governing) church headquartered in Syosset, New York.  Our services are all in English.  Our roots are Russian, so our style and traditions may be considered Russian.

St. Raphael's was established in 2000, the year that St. Raphael of Brooklyn was canonized as a saint. He was the first Orthodox bishop ordained in the United States and promoted the diverse ethnic Orthodox groups to come together.  We are a parish of approximately 50% Orthodox converts and 50% "cradle" Orthodox.  We come from various Orthodox jurisdictions including Russian, Carpatho-Russian, Serbian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Greek and Albanian.

Father Serigous Gerken is our priest and a monastic, a monk priest.  He joined us in July 2014 after having served in California, Alaska, and New Hampshire.  He also lived as a monk on Mount Athos in Greece.

We extend a blessed welcome and invite you to pray with us during this service.  A number of us are from different Orthodox jurisdictions and we all may do things a little differently.  So just do what you are used to doing - there is no right or wrong here.  (Click Here for our Sunday Liturgy Practices)

Iconostasis
Annunciation and the four Evangelists

At the heart of the iconostasis, a prominent feature in Orthodox Christian liturgical spaces, stands the Annunciation. This sacred depiction showcases the Virgin Mary, divinely selected to fulfill the profound role of becoming the Mother of God, positioned on the right. On the left, the Archangel Gabriel is portrayed, conveying the momentous tidings of this divine mission.

  Encircling the Annunciation are representations of the four Evangelists, symbolizing the authors of the Holy Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These Evangelists are revered for their pivotal contributions in chronicling the life, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The arrangement of these elements within the iconostasis underscores the central themes of salvation and divine revelation that are integral to Orthodox theology and worship.

New Icons
Holy Myrrhbearers
Holy Myrrhbearers
Holy Myrrhbearers
St. Herman of Alaska
St. Herman of Alaska
St. Herman of Alaska
St. Raphael of Brooklyn
St. Raphael of Brooklyn
St. Raphael of Brooklyn
New Icons for the iconastisis

The two new icons of St Herman of Alaska and the Holy Myrrhbearers have been completed by Alla and Alexis Gormately

and affixed on the iconastisis. Also included in this section, is the Icon of Saint Raphael of Brooklyn.

Service Schedule

SATURDAYS 

4:00 pm - Great Vespers

 

SUNDAYS

9:45 am - Reading of Hours

10:00 am - Divine Liturgy

  

THURSDAYS

4:00 pm - Akathist to St Herman of Alaska

More Information >

 

2023
Zachary Daniels

Pressure Washing - 08/18/2023

Zachary Daniels, with his meticulous care and attention to detail, is diligently sweeping and cleaning the walkways, turning them into pristine paths of neatness and order.

(3 images)

view slideshow >

Zachary Becomes A Catechumen

Zachary Becomes A Catechumen - 08/13/2023

Zachary was received into the parish as a catechumen on August 13, 2023

(14 images)

view slideshow >

Shawn Becomes A Catechumen

Shawn Becomes A Catechumen - 07/16/2023

Shawn being welcomed into the Parish as a catechumen on July 16, 2023

(6 images)

view slideshow >

Our beloved Tina in her radiant white at her reception into the study of the faith, with her godmother Anna on July 8, 2023.

  • Sun
    17Sep

    9:00am Choir Practice
    9:45am - Hours
    10:00am Reader's Service

  • Mon
    18Sep

    2:30pm Choir Practice

  • Thu
    21Sep

    4:00pm Akathist to St. Herman

  • Sat
    23Sep

    4:00pm Great Vespers

  • Sun
    24Sep

    9:00am Choir Practice
    9:45am - Hours
    10:00am Divine Liturgy

  • Mon
    25Sep

    2:30pm Choir Practice

  • Thu
    28Sep

    4:00pm Akathist to St. Herman

  • Sat
    30Sep

    4:00pm Great Vespers

  • Sun
    1Oct

    Protection of the Theotokos
    9:00am Choir Practice
    9:45am - Hours
    10:00am Divine Liturgy

  • Mon
    2Oct

    2:30pm Choir Practice

  • Thu
    5Oct

    4:00pm Akathist to St. Herman

  • Sat
    7Oct

    4:00pm Great Vespers

  • Sun
    8Oct

    9:00am Choir Practice
    9:45am - Hours
    10:00am Divine Liturgy

  • Mon
    9Oct

    2:30pm Choir Practice

  • Thu
    12Oct

    4:00pm Akathist to St. Herman

  • Sat
    14Oct

    4:00pm Great Vespers

  • Sun
    15Oct

    9:00am Choir Practice
    9:45am - Hours
    10:00am Divine Liturgy

  • Mon
    16Oct

    2:30pm Choir Practice
    • Monthly Calendar >
Charity

In the Orthodox Christian faith, the principle of charity and helping others is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Acts of compassion, generosity, and selflessness are seen as expressions of love and obedience to God's commandments. Emulating Christ's own example of serving humanity, Orthodox believers view charitable deeds as a way to manifest their faith in tangible ways, fostering unity, compassion, and support within the community. Through acts of charity, the Orthodox Church emphasizes the spiritual significance of aiding those in need, aligning with Christ's call to care for the least among us and ultimately reflecting the core values of the Christian faith.

St. Raphael's donates monthly to different charities the first Sunday of every month. Click here for the monthly list. 

Charities

St. Raphael Orthodox church makes ongoing financial and food donations to Citrus County Family Resource Center.

There is a container in the Church Library for your food contributions. Why not bring in your free BOGO (buy one, get one) food items. No cost to you and a great benefit to familes going through difficult times.

The Resource Center expecially needs children's clothing, women's nightgowns and pajamas. These items should be in good repair.

Any questions regarding donations (of any kind), please see Nancy Kinley or you can email her from our website. Simply choose "Charity Coordinator" on the drop down menu on our "Contact Us" page 
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The Misson 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 nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. . . ."

Learn More  >

St. Raphael Orthodox Church is part of the Diocese of the South. Our Diocese spans 14 states and has over 100 faithful clergy and monastics serving in 78 parishes, missions, and three monastic communities. We invite you to come worship with us from Alburquerque, New Mexico to Wilmington, North Carolina! Please see our Parish Listings for more details and to find a parish near you, or click on a story above to see the latest news from from the Diocese!

More Information >

Ancient Faith Radio
Orthodoxy in America App
Click to Download App
Click to Download App
Click to Download App

We would like to share with you some exciting news!

Orthodox Web Solutions has developed a new free app for smartphones and tablets called: Orthodoxy in America.  This app is much more than just a church locator, it also brings together news, social posts, daily audio, trending photos, as well as video and 360 tours from the various jurisdictions, agencies, seminaries, monasteries, and Orthodox media outlets, including: Ancient Faith, Orthodox Christian Network, Pravmir, Pemptousia, Pravoslavie.ru, Patristic Nectar, Sister Vassa, Y2AM, and others.

This is the first app of its kind, and we are very pleased to be involved with the project.  May it help inform, educate and inspire the faithful to live and share their Orthodox Faith!

The Misson 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 nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. . . ."

Learn More  >

St. Raphael Orthodox Church is part of the Diocese of the South. Our Diocese spans 14 states and has over 100 faithful clergy and monastics serving in 78 parishes, missions, and three monastic communities. We invite you to come worship with us from Alburquerque, New Mexico to Wilmington, North Carolina! Please see our Parish Listings for more details and to find a parish near you, or click on a story above to see the latest news from from the Diocese!

More Information >

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.

Daily Readings >

Listen to Daily Readings >

Holiness or sainthood is a gift (charisma) give 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 crucifiction, and rose from the dead, in order to lead us to the life of holiness, through the communion with the Holy Spirit.

Today's Saints >

Listen to Saints of the Day >

St Raphael Orthodox Church