Hello!
My name is Noah. I am one of the parish members who attends liturgy and services at St. Tikhon Orthodox Church. I can help share our mission testimony.
Prior to becoming Orthodox, or even knowing what Eastern Orthodoxy was, I found myself in a confusing state. I was raised in a very warm and loving baptist household but quickly fell into the atheist trap which is quite common among highschools and colleges. It wasn’t until the pandemic started, before I started questioning my previous presuppositions surrounding religion and different faiths. After looking into Christianity, it became quite apparent that, if I wanted an authentic belief, I would have to appeal to the Original Church and their understanding of the world. Much to my Baptist parents’ confusion, I began attending Russian Orthodox Liturgies and began adopting this outlook on life.Theology and Authentic Prayer quickly became important. Fasting and Almsgiving became important. I started reading the Bible and the lives of the saints. I began to reorient my life around God and to love Truth.
It is quite remarkable how the mindset can change when confronted with the original interpretation of the Church.At St. Tikhon Orthodox Church, we have had consistent additions of new parish members and icons that surround us. Many of these parish members have the same experience I have had growing up.
I have grown to appreciate and love the community, which helps strengthen me spiritually.On May 1st, 2021, I was baptized into the Eastern Orthodox Church. This year, I was also tonsured as a reader by the Eastern Orthodox Church in October while at the Western Rite conference in Sarasota, Florida and have been assisting in the services provided by St. Tikhon Orthodox Church.
Since returning from the conference, we are continuing with the Catechism classes Fr. John is providing. We have been increasing the number of fun community activities to communicate fellowship amongst the fellow parish members.
A Monastery Bookstore will soon be visiting our Church to help increase the spiritual life of its members. Additionally we are gathering donations for families this Christmas season as well as supporting ongoing food drives for Caroline County.
