St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church began in 1991. Fr. Nicodemos Gayle offered his home as the first Church site and along with Presbytera Lydia and their three children became the first Parishioners of St. Seraphim’s. In time, St. Seraphim’s has grown to 21 families from all across the U.S.

A small country house was found suitable for our Parish in the rural location of Hanover County near Richmond, VA. We were able to celebrate our first Liturgy in our new home in the summer of 1994.

One anonymous donor made it possible for us to start a building fund in order to add an addition and vault the Temple ceiling. Other monies were collected for a new Iconostasis, carpeting, paint, and new hardwood flooring. The building project was completed in August of 2004. Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ from throughout our Diocese attended St. Seraphim’s Summer Feast to help celebrate the completion of the project.

Sadly, St. Seraphim’s suffered a tragic fire on October 8/21, 2007. The Church building was almost completely destroyed as were the contents inside. Neighbors had called Father Nicodemos and by the time he had arrived at 1:00 AM that morning, he could see the flames rising from the building from a mile-and-a-half away.

As the parishioners gathered together for services behind the still smoldering building; we began to realize that it is WE that are the Parish, NOT the building. As long as our love for each other and our dear Saviour remained strong, St. Seraphim’s little church in the country would remain!

Like gold being strengthened by fire, we began to see that some very interesting things had occurred in spite of this tragic event. The contents of the Church building were a total loss. However, in the Altar, even though the floor surrounding the Holy Table had collapsed; the Holy Table itself with the Gospel and the antimension remained intact. The relics in the antimension were not destroyed. And in the corner of the Altar, just 20 ft. from the hottest part of the fire, the prothesis table, which contained Father’s vestments and the holy vessels, remained unburned! Our dear St. Seraphim was watching over us and had made it possible for us to continue serving by saving the holy things!

As we move ahead with our building project, we wish to thank our many brothers and sisters in Christ who have given us great consolation and support in our time of need.

Glory be to God for all things!

The Orthodox Church is the original Christian Church established by Jesus Christ in A.D. 33. From that time on, the successors to the Apostles, the bishops, have maintained incorrupt this holy faith.

The Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians in America was established in the 1950’s with the arrival of the ever-memorable Archimandrite Petros Astyfides ( 1915-1997 ), who later became Metropolitan of Astoria. In 1954 he founded the church of St. Markella in Astoria NY, which later became his Cathedral.

The Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians in America is a part of the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece, under his Beatitude, Archbishop Kallinikos.

In the Church of the G.O.C. in America there are now 47 parishes and missions, 6 men’s monasteries and sketes, 4 convents, 60 priests, and 18 deacons throughout North and South America.

The ruling hierarch of the Metropolis of America is His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America. His Eminence is assisted by his auxiliary bishop, His Grace, Bishop Christodoulos of Theoupolis.

The Metropolis of Toronto, whose ruling hierarch is His Eminence, Metropolitan Moses of Toronto, extends throughout southern Ontario.

The Diocese of Etna and Portland, whose ruling hierarch is his Grace, Bishop Auxentios of Etna and Portland, extends throughout the Western United States which are in the Pacific and Mountain Time Zones. It also includes, in Canada, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as Alaska and Hawaii.

The Diocese of Boston, whose ruling hierarch is His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America, extends throughout the states of New England.

We invite you to visit one of our parishes or to get in contact with us if you have any questions about our Church.

Donations and correspondence should be sent to: St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church 11009 Old Washington Hwy. Glen Allen, VA 23059 Church Building: 804-385-8599

All major Feasts during the week are celebrated when possible.

All G.O.C. websites can be found at:

Holy Metropolis of G.O.C.

Scheduled Services: Saturdays Vespers 6:00 PM

Sundays Matins 8:00 AM Liturgy 9:00 AM

June 12/May 30 Apodosis of Holy Pascha 6PM Vespers

June 13/May 31 6:30 AM Hours/Liturgy Ascension of our Lord

June 16/03 Parish Meeting after Liturgy

June 23/10 Kneeling Vespers after coffee hour