St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church of Naples, FL is a parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, functioning under the oversight of His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios , the Presiding Hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta , which is a Holy Eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Our Mission from Christ
Christ’s message to the world spread quickly in the first century through the work and sacrifice of the Apostles. It was a message of hope to a world suffering from inequality and abuse, hard labor and sickness and the ultimate death to darkness and nothingness. Christ’s message of the defeat of death and the promise of eternal life brought hope to the average person and meaning to the intellectuals of the time. The Apostles, following the “Great Commission of Christ” (Matt. 28:19-20), empowered by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and equipped with both the “message” and personal conviction, stood bravely in front of tyrants and the learned men of the time preaching the power of Christ over death and His promise of eternal life. They moved from town to town proclaiming the “Good News” to all who would listen, baptizing those who would accept the “message” and teaching them how to observe those things which Christ had commanded them. The Apostles established Christian communities which continued to proclaim the “Good News”, adding more and more members to those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47).
The main concern of the Apostles and the leaders of the Early Church was the salvation of human beings by bringing them to the Faith in the Risen Lord and attaching them to the Church (the Body of Christ). Their life as a community was simple, centered around the teaching and preaching of the words of Christ and the joining together in the “Agape Meals”, the Eucharist dinners where the more affluent brought food for everyone and they all shared in a meal before they received from the blessed bread and cup of the Body and Blood of Christ. The Early Christians were characterized by the love they had for God and the affection and kindness they showed to each other. This was a major factor in the growth of the Early Church. People of the surrounding community were impressed by the love of these Christians and joined the ranks of the Church as followers of Christ.
As Christians of the 21st century, we have much to learn by looking at the Early Church. There, we will find how we can live authentic Christian lives, not as we desire, but as Christ intended for us. From them we will learn what made Christianity attractive to others in the midst of an abusive and uncaring society. We will certainly learn that the Central Mission of the Parish (the Christian community) is to help people discover Christ’s message and convince them to follow His teachings so that they may also have eternal life. Our Faith, our life example and our love for God and each other will be the greatest arguments for fulfilling the Mission of the Parish.
OUR FOUNDATION, OUR FAITH
Our foundations date to the time of Jesus Christ. There are more than 300 million Orthodox Christians throughout the world.
“The Orthodox Church is Evangelical but not Protestant, Orthodox but not Jewish, Catholic but not Roman. It is pre-denominational, not “non-denominational”. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended, and died for the faith of the Apostles since it was established on the day of Pentecost 2000 years ago. It is the true vine of Christ.” It is universal!
Profession of Faith
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and dead. His kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets.
In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come.
Amen.