Interested in learning more about Orthodoxy?
Substantial Unbroken Faith in Jesus Christ for over Two Millennia
Want more info? Scroll down for links.
Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. (Jer. 6:16)
First and foremost welcome! We are pleased that you are taking the time to discover our Church. This page is intended to help a person become better informed about our Faith: Orthodox Christianity; nevertheless we would encourage everyone to come and experience Orthodox Christian Worship first hand, it really is best encountered this way.
As a Church family we desire to help each other and our community (Pueblo) live the timeless Christian way of life. We believe that this life is not based on any one person, or even a limited group of people, but on the whole experience of the Body of Christ throughout time. We believe that Christianity is beyond individual likes and dislikes, and that it is not meant to try and emulate every latest fashion. Rather, It reflects the eternity of Heaven and is conformed to the timeless Revelation of Jesus Christ. If you are weary of "feel-good" faiths and are seeking substance; if you are looking for relief form the ever changing winds and fads of the modern world and all that may follow after it, we are sure that you will find the ancient Orthodox Christian Faith a peaceful sanctuary.
Established in 1903, our Church has been part of Pueblo's life for 115 years. We have a very loving community that has a rich and full prayer life, strong fellowship, Bible studies, men's and women's groups, developing children and youth ministries, periodic hikes and other such excursions. We are very serious about following our Lord Jesus Christ.
What is Orthodoxy?
This is a common question. Essentially, Orthodoxy is unbroken Christian Faith and Worship
as it has been lived for over two thousand years. It is the most ancient, living, and continuously
practiced Christian Faith on Earth; it is the Church founded by Jesus Christ and His Apostles.
So, is Orthodoxy a denomination?
No. Denominations are the product of what is known as the Protestant Reformation. Orthodoxy predates Martin Luther and the Reformation by about 1,500 yrs. Orthodoxy is pre-denominational. We are evangelical, but not Protestants; we are Catholic, but not Roman. Ortho – comes from the Greek word meaning right, and Doxa – comes from the Greek word meaning worship, put together it simply means right-worship. Orthodox Christians have been living and practicing the fullness of the Christian faith in a living and unbroken 2,000 year heritage. For more reading see - History .
How do you worship?
We worship according to the Christian way. We did not make it up, we received this way of life from Christians before us (all the way back to the Apostles in Jerusalem). We believe worship is not about us, rather it is about worshiping God and being transformed into His image and likeness. Our worship is truly God centered worship; therefore, we worship as Christians have from the beginning: in Liturgy. Our worship traces itself all the way back to Hebraic worship. For a bit more on this see: Why Orthodoxy? Worship. Why Orthodox Christians Worship Facing East.
Do you believe the Bible?
Yes. The compilation of Christian writings known as the New Testament was assembled by the Orthodox Church. This process was solidified by the mid-late 300's. Essentially it was a group of Christian leaders known as Bishops who, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, selected the books of the New Testament and then announced them to be “canonical” (from another Greek word, Kanon - measuring rod, standard of excellence). We believe that the Scripture is inspired of God and the word of God. In the long run we believe in Christ Jesus, of Whom the Bible testifies. The Bible is the most exceptional Christian writing, but our faith is not derived from a book (no matter how wonderful and inspired) but in the incarnate Word of God - Jesus Christ. For more reading see The Emergence of the New Testament and Holy Scripture and the Church
These are just a few answers, if you have any other questions please contact us and ask! Better yet, come and see!
What if I would like to visit?
Everyone is welcome! A few things you may want to know:
We stand most of the time. Why? Because we are worshiping! We relax at home or elsewhere, but we worship in Church. Think of Heaven, and if you are familiar with the Bible think of the images of heavenly worship it presents, well, we are entering heaven on earth (Isaiah stood in loving awe of God, He did not go make a latte)! Sitting was introduced in western churches after the Protestant Reformation when a more lecture-oriented approach became dominate. Although, if age or infirmity requires one to sit, that is perfectly fine.
The priest/pastor almost never faces the congregation. Why? Because we are worshiping the Lord together! In Orthodoxy we all face God and worship Him together. We are a worshiping community. It is not about the pastor (or a band), nor is it about the people. The focus of worship for us is God (you can tell a lot about a group by the way they worship).
There are no musical instruments. Why? Because mankind is the highest "instrument" of God, though we do not believe musical instruments are bad at all. We bring to Church that one simple sacrifice: ourselves. We believe that in the end everyone will stand before Christ with nothing but one's life and how one lived (no instruments, no career, no riches, no poverty, no false pretenses, etc.) We come to Church as before the throne of Christ the Lord.
We have candles, icons, incense, reverence, beauty, and more!
Most of all know that you are welcome!
Still want more information on Orthodox Christianity? Scroll down and peruse these quality sources-
Fr. Zechariah Lynch was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and raised in a Protestant home. He spent time as a Protestant Missionary in the Ukraine, where he also studied at Kharkov State University. He met his wife Natalia in Ukraine. Upon returning to the U.S.A he completed studies in a Protestant school of ministry, after which he discovered Orthodox Christianity in his mid-twenties. Subsequently he and his family were received into the One Holy Apostolic Church. In 2011, he completed seminary studies at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary and graduated with a Master of Divinity.
He is married and has five children.
He is the author and illustrator of the children's book St. Patrick, the Enlightener of the Irish, and the illustrator of St. Brigid, Abbess of Kildare. He also translated, from Russian, the beautiful homilies by St. Seraphim (Zvesdensky), On The Divine Liturgy, which may be purchased by clicking here.
Fr. Zechariah resides in Pueblo and has been the full-time pastor of St. Michael's since June of 2011. Please feel free to contact him at any time regarding Orthodox Christianity or our Church.
Read Fr. Zechariah's blog here, the inkless pen.
About our Priest & Pastor
Rev. Zechariah and his wife Natalia.
Click here to read more about a first time visit:
On the Orthodox Divine Liturgy
On the difference between Orthodoxy and Protestantism, pt. 1
On the difference between Orthodoxy and Protestantism, pt. 2
“Christianity must remain eternally unchanging, in no way being dependent on or guided by the spirit of each age. Instead, Christianity is meant to govern and direct the spirit of the age for anyone who obeys its teachings.”
St Theophan the Recluse
On the difference between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism
Fundamentals of Protestantism Refuted
