Join us as we grow together in Christ through liturgy, ministry, and outreach. All are welcome! In late 1961, approximately 30 families came together to found the parish of Saint Stefanos. Many of the families had been attending church at St. John the Baptist Church in Tampa or St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, so St. Stefanos became a community centered in southern Pinellas County. In our
parish’s early days, services were held at St. Andrew’s Russian Orthodox Church in St. Petersburg. The building and dedication of the church was completed in 1968. Our church was consecrated on April 17, 1988 (Sunday after Pascha that year). His Grace Bishop Isaiah of Aspendos, then Chancellor of the Archdiocese (now Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver), presided over the service with Rev. Andrew Maginas, our pastor at the time. The following is an excerpt from Fr. Andrew’s message, as printed in the commemorative album from the consecration:
“Our Consecration Day heralded a new chapter in the life of our Church. On this day the relics of the martyrs were placed in our Holy Altar by His Grace Bishop Isaiah and we all came forward as witnesses of and participants in this holy event. His Grace led the procession three times around the Church with the relics and we all placed oil in the vigil lamp which burns on the Holy Altar. These acts not only represented our commitment to Christ and His Church but were our personal acts of renewal.“
Our Holy Altar contains the relics of Saint Haralambos the Priest-Martyr, commemorated February 10th; Saint Anysia the Martyr, commemorated December 30th; and the Holy Fathers at Raitho in Sinai, commemorated January 14th. In February 2001, St. Stefanos celebrated the Dedication of a new Educational Building, which houses the church office and the Priest’s office, a small library, and several classrooms for Sunday School, Greek School, and various meetings and events during the week. Our demographics are widely diverse, including many young families with children, as well as many retirees and part-time residents. We are constantly adding new programs, expanding our ministries, and working to progress in our mission. Please select any of the links on the left side of the page to learn more about our ministry groups and organizations.
