OUR CHURCH HISTORY 

The idea of starting a Greek Orthodox Parish in Huntsville began to crystallize in the early 1960’s when several families of the Orthodox faith moved here. Since four of the families were communicants of the Orthodox Church in Birmingham, the priest from there agreed to come on an irregular basis  to perform services. By 1962 there were enough of the Orthodox faith to warrant services once a month by the priest from the Nashville parish.

In September, 1964, the Huntsville communicants were organized as an Orthodox Mission and a permanent priest was as­signed. Two and a half years later, in early 1967, the community was given Parish status under the name of Greek Orthodox Church of Huntsville.

Ground was broken for the church building on July 11, 1972. The Byzantine-style edifice was officially opened by His Grace Bishop John on Sunday, February 25, 1973, and was named Holy Cross-Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Huntsville, Alabama.  

Today the parish is comprised of members from the five inhabited continents: America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. 

The Parish Center, a multi-purpose educational and community facility adjacent to the church, was dedicated on Sunday, September 18, 1983.

TOP

ORTHODOX CHURCH HISTORY

THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH, with its history that dates back to the origin of Christianity, is rich in tradition and the beauty of its ritual. The roots of Orthodoxy are traced to the original teachings of Christ during His days on earth. Its ritual adheres to the tenets established by the Twelve Apostles and the early meetings of the hierarchy in Ecumenical Councils.

The strength of the Eastern Orthodox Church is shown by its survival through many periods of persecution and its subsequent growth through the centuries. It is a faith of divine beauty in which the worshippers find tranquility in the prayer, solace in the ritual and inspiration in the music.

The Gospel of Christ was first preached and practiced in the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea It was in these eastern regions of the old Roman Empire that the Christian faith matured in her struggle against paganism and heresy. The Good News of Christ was intended for all mankind. "Go forth and teach all nations" was the mandate of Christ. St. Paul, the "apostle to the nations," established the Christian Church in Greece. The church he founded still exists today and is known as the Greek Orthodox Church

The first Greek Orthodox arrived in the New World in 1768, establishing a colony near the present city of St. Augustine, Florida. One of the buildings in which these immigrants gathered for worship is still standing. It has been dedicated as the St. Photius Shrine by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The Shrine, named for a great missionary of the Orthodox Church. honors those first Orthodox Immigrants. It also bears witness to the presence of Orthodoxy in America from the earliest days of its history. The next group of Orthodox Christians were Russian Orthodox missionaries who established a mission on Kodiak Island, Alaska, in 1794.

TOP