New Slavic Vicariate Parish Dedicated to the Nativity of the Mother of God Opened in Dallas, Texas

On January 7, the feast of the Nativity of Christ according to the Julian Calendar, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the newly opened community dedicated to the Nativity of the Mother of God in the city of Dallas, Texas. 

This is the eighth active parish of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate of America. The Divine Liturgy was performed by Fr. John Kovacs, attended by a large crowd of worshippers.  In his sermon at the end of the service, the Rector of the newly opened community greeted the parishioners on the occasion of Christ’s birth and thanked everyone who helped with the opening of the parish.  He cited the words, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth”, that the shepherds heard from the angels and hoped would come true.  Christ the Lord would indeed bring peace to our land, families and relatives.  A service of thanksgiving for the new community followed.

The parish of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Dallas was opened with the blessing of Archbishop Elpidophoros and the support of Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, Bishop Constantine of Sassim, Greek Archdiocesan Chancellor Archimandrite Nektarios Papazafiropoulos, and Archpriest Mark Pakes, Rector of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas.

The community currently worships on the premises of St. Barbara’s Chapel, on the grounds of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.  It is located at: 13555 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, Texas 75240-5412.  The parish can be contacted at: (469) 721-3223.  Divine Liturgy is celebrated in Church Slavonic every Sunday at 11.30 AM.  Archpriest Gennady Kravchuk is currently assisting Fr. Kovach in organizing the community.  He will soon open another parish in Dallas, a city which is home to a large number of Slavic Orthodox Christians.  

Last week, the seventh parish of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate was opened in Miami, Florida.  It is a Spanish language mission community dedicated to St. Sebastian.  Its Rector is Hieromonk Pedro Medina Bazan.