Welcome to st. catherine orthodox church!

St. Catherine Orthodox Church is a growing Christian community in Clearwater, Florida, consisting of people from various ethnic and social backgrounds sharing a common commitment to the Lord, each other, and the Apostolic Faith. We warmly welcome all families, couples, and individuals who are looking for a deeper experience of the salvation offered in Jesus Christ. 

For any visitors unfamiliar with Orthodoxy, the service on Sunday mornings is called Divine Liturgy.  It lasts about 90 minutes.

You may notice people sitting, standing and/or crossing themselves at various times throughout the service.  Feel free to sit, stand and follow along at your own pace and comfort.  Everyone was new once and no one expects you to know what to do.

Out of respect for the Liturgy, please:  (1) Silence your phone; (2) Keep food or drink outside the church; and (3) Keep in mind that towards the very beginning of the service, everyone will move towards the center to make room for the priest censing the perimeter.  Simply follow those around you.

A few things might be different than what you are used to:

Icons, the sacred images of Christ and the Saints, are found throughout the Church.  We bow, kiss and cross ourselves as a way to honor them, not worship them.  Our worship belongs to God alone.  The Liturgy asks for our full attention and you will find us quietly focused throughout.  We look forward to meeting you properly afterwards.  If you want to follow along and read the hymns and prayers, please pick up one of the small, white Divine Liturgy books near the candles by the entrance.  At the end of the Liturgy, you are welcome to walk up front to venerate the cross by kissing it as the priest presents it.

Communion (the Eucharist) is reserved for Orthodox Christians.  However, you are welcome to receive a small piece of blessed bread at the end of the service; this bread is not Communion.

After the Liturgy, we have coffee hour next door.

Please stay and have a meal.  We would love to meet you or answer any questions you may have.

"If you only knew how great a blessing comes from the Divine Liturgy, then you would collect even the dust from the floor of the church to wash your faces with it..."

St. Gabriel the Confessor and fool for Christ