Denomination: Orthodox Church in America
The Orthodox Christian Church was established over 2000 years ago, by Christ and His Apostles. It has essentially stayed the same since the earliest times of Christianity. We invite you to read more Orthodox Church History any many other apsects about the Orthodox church by clicking on the "About Orthodoxy" link above.
The history of our Church here in South Bend, IN is obviously much shorter. Sts. Peter and Paul Church was established in 1911 and our current church building was built in 1972. We are under the jurisdiction of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of America, in the New Gracanica-Midwestern Diocese. We are blessed to have His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije and His Grace Bishop Longin, as the Hierarchial leadership of our parish. Our church here in South Bend was started by Serbian immigrants who came to South Bend looking for jobs and new life in America. They also brought their faith and religion with them. We do carry on some of the customs and traditions passed down to us unique to our Serbian heritage. However, we are a pan-orthodox community with people of various ethnicity and backgrounds. Our community has people who were born and raised Orthodox and many who have converted to the Orthodox Church later in life.
Our services are done in English, with some hymns done in Serbian in remembrance of the founders of our parish. We invite all those who are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Church or maybe your just traveling through the area, please join us in worship and experience the Traditions passed down to us from the time of the Apostles of Christ. When you enter any Orthodox Church, you will witness the rich, beautiful and mystical side of Christianity that has not changed since the time of the Apostles as we continue to strive to "worship in Spirit and Truth." (John 4:24)
The history of our Church here in South Bend, IN is obviously much shorter. Sts. Peter and Paul Church was established in 1911 and our current church building was built in 1972. We are under the jurisdiction of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of America, in the New Gracanica-Midwestern Diocese. We are blessed to have His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije and His Grace Bishop Longin, as the Hierarchial leadership of our parish. Our church here in South Bend was started by Serbian immigrants who came to South Bend looking for jobs and new life in America. They also brought their faith and religion with them. We do carry on some of the customs and traditions passed down to us unique to our Serbian heritage. However, we are a pan-orthodox community with people of various ethnicity and backgrounds. Our community has people who were born and raised Orthodox and many who have converted to the Orthodox Church later in life.
Our services are done in English, with some hymns done in Serbian in remembrance of the founders of our parish. We invite all those who are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Church or maybe your just traveling through the area, please join us in worship and experience the Traditions passed down to us from the time of the Apostles of Christ. When you enter any Orthodox Church, you will witness the rich, beautiful and mystical side of Christianity that has not changed since the time of the Apostles as we continue to strive to "worship in Spirit and Truth." (John 4:24)
