Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church of Sioux Falls

06/02/2026

Dozens of people living in Turkey have converted to Orthodox Christianity in recent years, and the numbers are growing. The converts come from Muslim, atheist, and even Iranian Protestant backgrounds, and they are being baptized inside Greek Orthodox churches in Istanbul and beyond.

Savvas, 45, was a Muslim named Erkan until eight years ago. He says a dream one Friday night set him on the path, leading him to a church in Yenikoy on the Bosphorus. After roughly a year of catechism, he was baptized, and his two sons, Theodoros, 7, and Aris, 4, have since been baptized as well. His sons now attend the Greek community school Zappeion in Istanbul.

Another convert, now called Nikolaos, was formerly known as Sahab. He says some of his grandmother's family had Greek roots but rarely attended church. After two years of catechism, he was baptized, with a godmother who traveled from Ioannina in Greece specifically for the ceremony.

An Iranian family adds another dimension to the story. The father, now named Christophoros, fled Iran after being arrested for converting to Protestantism, crossing mountains to reach Turkey. After eight years there, the entire family was baptized Orthodox. His daughter Anthousa said they are now "living their dream" and "living freely."

The conversion process involves a formal application reviewed by a Church committee, followed by six to twelve months of catechism. Some converts have gone further, traveling to Mount Athos to begin monastic life or enrolling in theology studies at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The trend is not without tension inside the Greek diaspora community of Istanbul. The diaspora newspaper Apogevmatini ran an editorial arguing that while conversion is a fundamental right, it should not automatically grant converts membership in the Greek Orthodox minority community. Former community leader Lakis Vigas, who has been witnessing the trend since around 2007, says the biggest challenge is language. He warns that Greek must be preserved in the churches, or Greek identity itself will erode.

06/01/2026

05/29/2026

Please join us this weekend for services surrounding the great feast of Pentecost:

Saturday, May 30th - Saturday of Souls:

10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy with Memorial
12:30 p.m. Trisagion at Woodlawn Cemetery
2:00 p.m. Trisagion at Hills of Rest Cemetery
5:00 p.m. Great Vespers for the feast

Sunday, May 31st - The Feast of Pentecost:

8:45 a.m. Festal / Sunday Matins
10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
4:00 p.m. Vespers of Pentecost (the "Kneeling Vespers")

05/28/2026

Did you know how the Orthodox Church understands “speaking in tongues”?

In the New Testament, “tongues” originally referred to real human languages miraculously spoken and understood, especially on Pentecost when the Apostles preached to people from many nations (Acts 2:4–11). The early Church saw this as a sign of the Gospel reaching all peoples.

In the Orthodox tradition, we recognize this miracle, but speaking in tongues — especially as practiced in many charismatic or Pentecostal churches today — is not a regular or encouraged part of our liturgical life. Our services are always celebrated “with understanding,” as Saint Paul urges in 1 Corinthians 14: “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful... I would rather speak five words with my understanding than ten thousand in a tongue.”

That means the Divine Liturgy and all our prayers are meant to be heard and understood by the faithful. The Church avoids confusion or disorder in worship—our worship is meant to reflect the peace and order of heaven.

God can work in people’s lives in powerful ways. Some Orthodox Christians may have had personal spiritual experiences they describe as “tongues.” Still, the Church does not encourage or incorporate this into its prayer life. Instead, the Orthodox Church focuses on inner prayer—simple, deep prayer from the heart and the fruit of the Holy Spirit—especially humility, love, and repentance—as the true signs of life in the Holy Spirit.

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05/27/2026

Please join us this evening at 6:00 p.m. as we chant the Small Paraclesis (intercession) to the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. All are welcome!