StrapHaElOrthodoxChurch.org
Title
St. Raphael Antiochian Orthodox Church, Iowa City, Iowa
Description
Beginnings— - The Communion of Saints
In 2000, God’s Providence began to bring together people and circumstances to plant an Orthodox Church in Iowa City, Iowa. The last “Big 10” university town with no Orthodox Church, Iowa City’s need for Orthodox worship and spiritual teaching is both great and promising. The nearest Orthodox Church is 40 minutes away, in Cedar Rapids: St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, founded by the great missionary St. Raphael of Brooklyn in 1914.
We believe that it is no coincidence that 2000 was also the year of St. Raphael’s canonization. From our first year, we have felt his care for us, as we have the intercessions of the Mother of God. Inspired by the story of a Russian priest who converted his neighbors and established a church by ceaselessly praying the Akathist to the Theotokos, beginning with our first meeting in May 2001, we have put ourselves under her protection with this constant prayer: that in his great love for us, our Lord Jesus Christ, through the prayers of His Mother, St. Raphael, and all the saints, would establish and bless this church in Iowa City, to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, and the salvation of many souls, including our own.
Through the blessings and struggles since our beginning, we have been conscious that we are coming into something larger than ourselves: everything here began before us, and continues in spite of our weaknesses. We ask you to pray for this Mission Work and to take part with us, in whatever way you can, in the living Communion of the Saints, stretching from the prophets and saints up to our own day.
Languages
English
Contact
- St. Raphael Orthodox Church
-
- Iowa City Iowa
- United States 52240
-
- +1.3193376784
