St. Thomas the Apostle Orthodox Church - Springfield, MO

07/15/2026

Metropolitan Philip, from his 1984 Sunday of Orthodoxy sermon:
I am not asking you to deny your own history and your own culture. What I am asking is to blend your old and new cultures into some kind of an integrated reality. I am not against ethnicism, if ethnicism means a return to the spirit of the desert fathers, the Syrian fathers, the Greek fathers, and the Slavic fathers. But if ethnicism means a narrow, fanatic ghetto mentality which separates us from each other, then I am definitely against such ethnicism.

The mission of the Church is not to be subservient to any kind of nationalism. The mission of the Church is the salvation of souls—all souls. In his Epistle to the Galatians, St. Paul said, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28).

07/15/2026

His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon celebrates his 60th birthday today.

The Holy Synod of Bishops, clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America wish His Beatitude many more blessed years!

Eis polla eti, despota!

07/15/2026

07/09/2026

🤔 Perhaps you have heard, at the end of the Holy Unction Service, “Through the prayers of the holy, glorious, and all-praised Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord,” or, at the end of the Service of Holy Matrimony, “Through the prayers of the Holy Greatmartyr Procopius,” but have you ever wondered what the connection is between these saints and the service in which they are commemorated? ⤵️

🔹The Epistle of the Holy Apostle James provides the biblical foundation for the Mystery of Holy Unction (James 5:14–15);

🔹The Holy Prophet David is the author of Psalm 51, the quintessential psalm of repentance;

🔹The Holy Greatmartyr Procopius converted to Christianity after seeing the Holy Cross in the sky, and he is the patron saint of married couples, as they commit themselves to a life of martyrdom and sacrifice under the sign of the Holy Cross. Moreover, his name means “prosperity” in Greek;

🔹Saint Stephen was one of the first deacons and the first martyr of the Church;

🔹Saint Barnabas cared for the Christian community, placed his possessions at its disposal, and supported the preaching of the Apostles;

🔹The Funeral Service is permeated by the hope of the Resurrection, and the raising of Saint Lazarus from the dead is a prefiguration of Christ’s own Resurrection, as well as of the Universal Resurrection of all mankind at the end of the ages.

07/07/2026

🔴 His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas issued a message marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, describing the nation’s history as “one of the most remarkable testimonies to the power of freedom to create opportunities.”

His Eminence highlighted the enduring influence of the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence:

“The Declaration of Independence, adopted on 4 July 1776, boldly proclaimed that all people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

“These words, inspired by a profound understanding of human dignity and God’s providential care, have echoed through the generations and have inspired hope in countless people around the world who seek freedom, justice and peace.”

Religious freedom in the United States

Metropolitan Nicolae also reflected on the contribution of Romanian Orthodox faithful to the religious and social life of the United States, noting that religious freedom has enabled them to preserve both their faith and their identity.

“The religious freedom guaranteed by this country has allowed the Romanian Orthodox Church to fulfil its pastoral, liturgical, educational and philanthropic mission without hindrance. For this, our community today expresses its gratitude to the American people and to all those who, throughout the generations, have defended the principles of religious liberty and mutual respect.”

“The Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas has grown through the sacrifice of bishops, priests and faithful who understood that the Church is not merely the place where people pray, but also the place where they preserve their identity, educate their children, cultivate their values and learn love for God and neighbour,” His Eminence said.

Prayer for the American people

Metropolitan Nicolae concluded by offering prayers for the American people and for Romanian communities throughout North America.

“We pray to our Lord Jesus Christ to grant peace, wisdom, justice and unity, so that this country may remain a place where freedom is protected, faith is respected, and the dignity of every person is cherished.”

“God bless the United States of America! Many blessed years!” the Metropolitan concluded.

07/07/2026

“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, In whom there is no help.”
‭‭—Psalm‬ ‭145

07/06/2026

May God grant His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth and Auxiliary to the Diocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America many years on the occasion of the anniversary of his consecration to the episcopacy!
Eis polla eti despota!!

07/06/2026