The following is a submitted paid advertorial by St. Patrick Orthodox Mission:
In a region where Protestant and Evangelical churches dominate the spiritual landscape, a new Orthodox Christian Mission is offering something different: a direct connection to the faith and practice of the earliest Christians. St. Patrick Orthodox Mission, a Mission Station of the Diocese of the South within the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), is planting roots in Carrollton, introducing West Georgia to the worship and faith of the Apostles, which has remained unchanged since Pentecost in 33 A.D.
A Mission Centuries in the Making
The Orthodox Church traces its origins to the ministry of Christ and His Apostles, which formed the original Christian Church before the Great Schism (1054) and the later Protestant Reformation. “If you were a Christian in the first thousand years, you were Orthodox,” explains a mission leader. “This isn’t a denomination—it’s the ancient, apostolic faith preserved intact.”
For local Orthodox Christians, the mission fills a critical gap. Previously, the nearest Orthodox church required a 40-minute drive, leaving many without access to the Church and its liturgical worship. What began as small Vespers services in a living room has now blossomed into a growing community, thanks to the continued oversight and support of Pastor Gabe Aldridge, priest of St. John the Wonderworker Orthodox Church, mother parish of St. Patrick Orthodox Mission.
Why Orthodoxy? Addressing Questions from the Protestant Majority
In an area rich with Protestant, Evangelical, and non-denominational churches, St. Patrick’s stands out—not just in theology, but in practice. For those unfamiliar with Orthodox tradition, the mission leaders offer a simple invitation: “Come and see.”
• Heavenly Worship: Orthodox services use no musical instruments, projectors, or stages. Instead, worshipers encounter oil lamps, incense, Icons, and a cappella singing and chanting – reflecting the beauty, profundity, and simplicity of its worship which in reality fulfills the pattern of the Jewish Temple worship in the incarnate person of Jesus Christ the Son of God. The Orthodox Divine Liturgy is a participation of the worship of the Lamb before the throne of God, transcending ancient/modern pigeonholes, and which is revealed in its continual practice and use in cultures all across the world for two thousand years.
• Global Unity: Whether in Greece, Russia, or Carrollton, every Orthodox church follows the same liturgical calendar, Scripture readings, and prayers. “You could walk into an Orthodox church in Scotland or Mexico and recognize the service immediately,” says one member.
• The Fullness of Faith: While acknowledging the sincerity of Protestant and Evangelical believers, The Orthodox Church offers what it calls “the complete, historic Christian experience”—the sacraments, saints, and continuity of Faith and worship that bridges the centuries.
A Home for the Curious
Since October 2023, the mission has held services at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, but its new location at a local wellness center (beginning June 8, Pentecost Sunday) will allow for full Sunday liturgies. The community has already drawn 25–50 attendees to weekly Vespers, with a catechism class that introduces inquirers to the faith.
“Some find it unfamiliar at first—the icons, the standing, the reverence,” admits a mission member. “But there’s a depth here that resonates with people hungry for a faith that’s stood the test of time.”
Experience the Ancient Church!
“Come and See!”
Located at 547 Newnan Street, Carrollton, Georgia (Foxhole Wellness Center)
Weekly Services:
Saturday – Catechism Class: 5:00 P. M.
Saturday – Great Vespers: 6.:00 P. M
Sunday – Matins: 9:00 A. M.
Sunday – Divine Liturgy or Office of the Typical Psalms (alternating Sundays): 10:00 A. M.
For those curious about Orthodoxy, the message is simple: You don’t have to read about it—come witness it. As one member puts it, “This isn’t just history; it’s a living faith.”
Additional information about their beliefs, service times, and location can be found on their website at stpatrickcarrollton.com
