St. Anthony The Great Orthodox Church, Melbourne, Florida

Our church was founded in 2001 by several families looking for a place to practice their Antiochian Orthodox faith. It been seven years and several different rental spaces, however, we do own land between Americana Blvd and Emerson Rd in Palm Bay, FL. We have been at our current location on New Haven Boulevard in Melbourne Florida since June, 2010. In the near future we plan to build. With each challenge we have encountered, we became stronger in our faith. We may provide links to other sites that provide more detail on our church history or particular events in our past. We invite you to become a part of the church today and a piece of its history tomorrow. St. Anthony the Great, also known as Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Anthony of Egypt, Saint Anthony of the Desert, Saint Anthony the Anchorite, Abba Antonius and The Father of All Monks. Anthony the Great was an Egyptian Christian saint and the prominent leader among the Desert Fathers, Christian monks in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Anthony lived in Alexandria, Egypt for much of his notable career. He is celebrated in many churches across North Africa and The Levant on Feast Day, January 17 and the Month of Tobi 22, (January 30) in the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Coptic Catholic Church, which are historically associated with Saint Anthony. The Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church (also known as the Orthodox Christian Church or, simply, the Orthodox Church) is the oldest and second largest Christian body in the world. But is this reason enough for me to belong? Why should I bother being part of the Church? What can the Church offer me? Why can't I simply avoid the institutional Church and just have a direct relationship with God? Why the Church? In the Orthodox Tradition, we might find some thought-provoking answers to such questions. According to the Orthodox Christian viewpoint, it is not an exaggeration to say that the Church is necessary because of our very reason for being. We are all meant to be in union with God. We achieve this union through a process called theosis or deification - union with God by acquiring the Holy Spirit. God communicates himself to us and we become participants in the Divine Nature. We thank you for visiting our web site. Being a religious organization, we are always striving to find new ways to get our message out to current and prospective members. This site allows us to reach people we may never have been able to contact before. Please use this Internet tool to access the information you need about the church and as a resource for broadening your faith. We look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you might have. St. Anthony The Great Antiochian Orthodox Church, located in historic downtown Melbourne, Florida, known as Florida's space coast, the "gateway to the stars."

SCHEDULE for SPRING 2012

Saturday -- Vespers 5:00pm (when scheduled, usually eve of Feast days -- check calendar)

Sunday -- Orthros (Matins) 9:00am

Sunday -- Divine Liturgy 10:00am

Saint Anthony the Great (c. 251 - 356)

Antiochian Orthodox Church Melbourne, FL