What is the Italo-Greek Byzantine Orthodox Catholic Church?

The Italo-Greek Orthodox Church - A Home for All

The Church is not a place for the perfect, nor it is an exclusive club for the righteous. It is, and always has been, a sanctuary for the broken, the weary, and the seeking. It is where the lost find their way, where the wounded are healed, and where every soul - no matter how burdened - can encounter the transforming love of God.

A Place for the Messed Up

Life leaves its scars. Some carry regrets, some battle addictions, others struggle with failures or personal demons that seem insurmountable. Yet the Church is precisely for such people. Christ Himself said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9:12). In the Italo-Greek Orthodox Church, we do not turn away the struggling, the fallen, or the broken. Instead, we embrace them, just as Christ embraced the sinner, lifting them up to a new life in Him.

A Home for the Outcast

Society often rejects those who do not fit its mold. The weak, the different, the misunderstood—these are the ones Christ sought out. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The Italo-Greek Orthodox Church follows this command, opening its arms to those the world casts aside, affirming their dignity, and reminding them that in Christ, they are beloved.

A Champion for the Underdog

Throughout history, the Church has stood beside the oppressed, the forgotten, and those without power. We follow in the footsteps of Christ, who defended the weak and spoke for those who had no voice. The Italo-Greek Orthodox Church continues this mission, ensuring that the downtrodden are lifted, the struggling are encouraged, and the defenseless find their strength in the Lord.

A Beacon of Hope for the Hopeless

There is no darkness too deep, no situation too dire that God cannot redeem. Many come to the Church with burdens too heavy to bear, feeling as if all hope is lost. Yet here, in the presence of God, we proclaim that despair does not have the final word—Christ does. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). Our Church is a light in the darkness, reminding all who enter that in Christ, there is always hope.

A Friend for the Friendless

Loneliness is one of the greatest afflictions of the modern world. But in the Italo-Greek Orthodox Church, no one walks alone. We are called to be a true Christian brotherhood, standing with one another, praying for one another, and loving as Christ loves us. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Here, every stranger is a friend waiting to be known, every outcast is a brother or sister yet to be embraced.

A Family for the Lonely and Abandoned

The Church is not just a place of worship—it is a family. A family that transcends bloodlines, cultures, and backgrounds. A family bound together by faith, love, and the unbreakable bond of the Holy Spirit. For those who have been abandoned, rejected, or left without earthly kin, the Italo-Greek Orthodox Church stands as a home where they will never be alone again. “God sets the solitary in families” (Psalm 68:6).

The Church as a Spiritual Hospital

The Church is a spiritual hospital, not a court of inquisition or judgment. It exists to offer the healing grace of Christ to all who seek it, administering the spiritual medicine of the Sacraments, prayer, and guidance to restore the soul. Just as a physician tends to the sick with care and compassion, the Church embraces sinners with love, leading them toward repentance and renewal. Our mission is to heal, not to condemn; to restore faith, not to destroy it. In Christ, we find mercy, not harsh judgment, for He came not to condemn the world, but to save it.

A Church Without Intrigue, Politics, or Polemic

The Church is the Body of Christ—not a place for division, ambition, or personal agendas. There is no room here for intrigues, for the games of power, or for the corruption that poisons faith. We reject the ways of the world that seek to sow discord within the Church. Instead, we seek unity, humility, and service, as Christ Himself taught. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).

A Servant Church

The Italo-Greek Orthodox Church is not just a place where people come to be served—it is a Church that serves. Christ Himself, the King of Kings, knelt to wash the feet of His disciples, teaching us that true greatness is found in humility and service. “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).

We are called to embody this spirit of servanthood in everything we do. We serve the poor, we comfort the grieving, we feed the hungry, and we clothe the naked. We do not serve out of obligation, but out of love, because when we serve others, we serve Christ Himself: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40).

To be a servant Church means that we do not seek power, prestige, or recognition. Instead, we seek to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world—lifting up the weak, healing the broken, and spreading the Gospel not only through words, but through action.

One Family in Christ

When someone walks through the doors of our Church, they are neither black nor white nor brown. They are not seen as gay or straight, rich or poor, powerful or weak. The world may label people in countless ways, but in the House of God, there is only one identity that matters: we are all children of God.

Here, we are one in Christ. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). The divisions of the world do not belong in the Church. All who enter are welcomed with love, embraced as family, and encouraged to grow in faith, hope, and holiness.

Living Out Our Calling

As Italo-Greek Orthodox Christians, we do not merely profess these ideals—we strive to live by them. We seek to be a Church of love, of compassion, and of true Christian hospitality. We strive to reflect the light of Christ in all we do, ensuring that everyone who enters our midst experiences the warmth of His love.

We are the Church of the broken yet redeemed, of sinners yet saved, of outcasts yet embraced. We are the Church of Jesus Christ, and in His Name, we welcome all.

It is my sincere hope and prayer that these words bring comfort and hope to those of you who are struggling with your faith and your present religious experience. I want you all to know that these are not just words, but convictions closely held. If you are looking for a spiritual home where you will be loved and valued as beings created in the image and likeness of God, then give us a closer look.