Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox Mission

Thank You! to contributors of our ICON FUND! All $2,000 have been collected!

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:53:00 -0400

A pious parishioner pledged a substantial amount of cash to enable our parish to commission icons for the beautification of our temple and the edification of our souls through their contemplation. Learning of the first pledge toward this important commission, another pious parishioner chipped in with the requisite amount allowing us to complete the purchase.

A hearty thank you to our contributors; God blesses your pious act of giving which benefits our whole community, encourages the faithful in prayer by indicating the way toward a full expression in Orthodox worship in our temple.

Our iconographer, Ina Narimanidze is a graduate of the Moscow Iconography Academy (see her work here); she is now busy at work iconographing our parish's first three major icons: the Protection of the Holy Theotokos, Christ Pantocrator and the Iveron Mother of God. Together, these three icons will form the beginning of our iconostasis.

Ina Narimanididze is an experienced iconographer of excellent references with a substantial, classic portfolio of completed works, including complete iconostases in prestigious Orthodox monasteries and a parish of the same name and dedication as our own!

Yes! I have pledged to support my Orthodox Parish!

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:05:16 -0400

By now, all those who indicated their intention to become, or remain, regular Orthodox parishioners of this mission will have received their Pledge Letters in the mail. The letter asks parishioners to pledge support for their church's financial and human resource needs.

The Pledge Letter reminds us that we Orthodox Christians are members of Christ's mystical body, partaking regularly of His divine life and that we give back to God the first fruits of the plentiful gifts He has given us. This forms the basis of our understanding of Christian Stewardship: we need now to pledge our support - a tithe of our time, talent and treasure - to grow this Orthodox Church here in Clarksville.

Please pray about how you should best offer your tithe to the Lord and return your pledge card in the envelope provided, as soon as you may. We would like to beginning drawing up our 2010 budget by the beginning of October.

Click here to view a pdf of the Pledge Letter.

Protection Parish welcomes five souls to Catechumenate!

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:05:16 -0400

This past Sunday, August 16 witnessed the entry of five enquirers into the catechumenate, the formal period of instruction wherein we Orthodox pray especially for their impending enlightenment. Likewise, the newly-enrolled catechumens are enjoined to pray and study particularly to enter the fullest understanding of the blessed mysteries of Christ into which they are about to enter.

Let us then welcome with open hearts the newest members of our community, who are also newcomers to the entire tradition of Orthodox Christianity and church life: James and Holly Parnell with their infant son Samuel; Rufus Lyle and Deborah Fetch. May God bless them richly and may their gifts to the Lord be fully manifest! God Grant them many years!

Fellowship/Coffee Hour Cooking & Cleanup Roster

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:05:16 -0400

Please don't neglect to add your own name to the roster in the narthex (vestibule) so we can continue to plan upcoming Fellowship/Coffee Hour meals and the cleanup afterward. You can choose which dish you'd like to contribute to lunch for each Sunday ahead. Please don't assume that we can always have a satisfactory fellowship meal (and painless, equable cleanup) without your input!